TEQSA can only take action on concerns that relate to our regulatory responsibility. We are not a complaints resolution body and typically do not have a role in addressing individual complainants’ requests or grievances. TEQSA prioritises broader systemic issues, while the National Student Ombudsman’s role is to help higher education students resolve complaints about the actions taken by their provider.
In our role, regulating Australian higher education providers, we will be particularly concerned where there is a serious risk to students or to the quality or reputation of the higher education sector that relates to our responsibility.
Some examples of these are:
- wellbeing and safety concerns – for example sexual assault or harassment
- significant issues with academic quality, teaching or standards
- concerns about academic integrity – for example academic or research misconduct
- providers significantly misrepresenting their offerings/courses
- serious issues with admission practices
- serious issues with the quality of delivery, including by the provider’s third parties
- providers conferring awards when the courses have not been completed
- serious data or information security breaches
- serious financial concerns
- breaches of the law
- entities representing to offer higher education awards when unregistered.
Acts and standards under our responsibility
- Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act)
- Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework)
- Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act)
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code)
- English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) National Standards (ELICOS National Standards)
- National Standards for Foundation Programs.