TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 1 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 1

TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation Commissioner Michael Wells University Governance and Regulations Forum 16 September 2014

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 2 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 2

Overview

The Review in relation to TEQSA

TEQSA’s Response

Changes introduced by TEQSA

Future developments

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 3 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 3

The Review in relation to TEQSA

Previous Government established the Review

In response to sector criticism, especially universities

The new Government accepted all the recs

in line with its deregulatory agenda

Direction to CEO of TEQSA (Oct 2013)

To consult with sector and the TAC about the way forward

Achieve greater focus /timeliness of core activities

Advance appropriate deregulation

Considered together with:

Phillips KPA Review

TEQSA’s experience

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 4 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 4

TEQSA’s response

Significant sector consultation

TEQSA’s approach – more risk-based

Streamlining processes

Working with Department to reduce overlaps

Clearer communication

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 5 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 5

TEQSA’s Approach

Uphold standards by assuring providers’ quality assurance

A framework for a diverse sector is applied consistently to individual providers based on record of delivery, history of compliance and assessment of risk

A highly tailored, equitable approach to assessment regardless of provider category, but where characteristics of provider groups are reflected in the application of the framework

Finely graduated range of responses

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 6 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 6

Higher Education Providers by State and Territory

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 7 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 7

Workload profile

2012-13 2013-14

Applications Received 472 332

New Provider Registration 2 8

Renewal of Registration 8 41

New Course Accreditation 46 213

Renewal of Course Accreditation 15 300

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 8 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 8

Streamlined re-registration

Introduced a core / extended model

Core scope

Capacity to self-assure and student outcomes

Only examines 7 standards (from 43)

Extended scope

Only if warranted by risk assessment; or

Unresolved regulatory issue; or

Limited history of HE provision

http://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/RenewalOfRegistration

ProcessGuidev1.pdf

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 9 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 9

Case studies in re/registration

New provider

- No HE history

- No risk profile

Full assessment

against all

standards

10 y.o. provider

- Solid HE history

- Risk profile has

one major risk

- Six courses

accredited, one

major issue

Core assessment

plus limited

extension

Long history (eg

public university)

- Strong HE

history

- Low risk rating

- No regulatory

issues afoot

Core assessment

only

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 10 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 10

Revised risk assessments

Better coverage of indicators across sector

Improved calibration of risk thresholds

Incorporation of known context upfront

Provider response optional

Link to registration / accreditation processes clearer

http://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-

documents/TEQSARiskAssessFramework2014_0.pdf

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 11 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 11

Other responses

Streamlined course re/accreditation

Material change notification narrowed

Streamlined requests for information (s28)

Annual data collection – Table A fully exempt

Combined CRICOS renewal (optional)

http://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014ProviderInfor

mationRequest.pdf

http://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/MaterialChangePol

icyAndProcessesDec2013.pdf

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 12 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 12

Clearer communication Dialogue with peaks and TAC

Paper on characteristics of different types of

providers and relevance to TEQSA’s approach

New process guides

Increased role for case managers to

agree tailored evidence

advise scope of assessment

Guidance Notes on key issues

Release of Sector Statistics Report

http://teqsa.gov.au/news-publications/current-consultations

http://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-

documents/StatsReportOnTEQSAregHEPs.pdf

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 13 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 13

So a year on …

We have responded to the Review and the deregulatory agenda – by pushing the risk-based approach a lot further

Major revision of our regulatory processes

With substantial benefits to providers

Reduced assessment scope

Reduced evidence requirements

Reduced annual reporting

Faster decision time-frames

Clearer communication

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 14 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 14

Future directions & developments

Further streamline course re/accreditation

Greater emphasis on guidance & monitoring

Retaining strong assessments for initial registration and SAA

Transition to revised standards

Amendments to TEQSA Act

Evolving forms of HE provision

TEQSA’s Evidence-based approach to regulation | Slide 15 TEQSA and the Review of Higher Education Regulation | Slide 15

Questions and Answers