Accreditation 23 October 2023

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Polytechnic Institute of Australia Pty Ltd

On 23 October 2023, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following courses offered by Polytechnic Institute of Australia Pty Ltd, for a period of seven years until 23 October 2030:
  • Master of Information and Communications Technology
  • Graduate Diploma of Information and Communications Technology
  • Graduate Certificate of Information and Communications Technology
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the accreditation of the Master of Information and Communication Technology, Graduate Diploma of Information and Communication Technology, Graduate Certificate of Information and Communication Technology.

Condition 1: Course design, learning outcomes and assessment

Prior to marketing the Master of Information and Communications Technology, Graduate Diploma of Information and Communications Technology and Graduate Certificate of Information and Communications Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Australia Pty Ltd (PIA) must obtain an external and independent review of the courses.

1. The identity and terms of reference provided to the external and independent expert must be approved by TEQSA prior to the review.
2. Upon conclusion of the review and consideration by PIA's Academic Board, PIA must submit to TEQSA:
   1. A copy of the independent expert report.
   2. documentation that illustrates that the assessments, unit learning outcomes and course learning outcomes are constructively aligned, consistent with the AQF outcome descriptors and illustrate outcomes commensurate with the scaffolding of the courses as nested.

• documentation that shows that the Academic Board has reviewed all of the above course documentation and has approved the courses as fit for delivery.

PIA will not commence delivery of any of the courses until it receives notification from TEQSA that TEQSA is satisfied that the courses meet the requirements of Standards 1.4.1, 1.4.3 - 4, 1.5.3, 3.1.2 - 3 and 5.1.3.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the courses submitted by Polytechnic Institute of Australia Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Standard 1.4.1 as PIA has not demonstrated consistency of the course learning outcomes with the level of the qualification awarded.
2. Standard 1.4.3 as PIA has not demonstrated that methods of assessment are consistent with the learning outcomes being assessed, capable of confirming that all specified learning outcomes are achieved and that the grades awarded reflect the level of student attainment.
3. Standard 1.4.4 as PIA has not clearly established that students will have demonstrated the learning outcomes specified for the courses or units upon completion of the courses.
4. Standard 1.5.3 as PIA has not demonstrated consistency of the course learning outcomes with the relevant level classifications of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
5. Standard 3.1.2 as PIA has not demonstrated that the content and learning activities of the courses are consistent with the level of study and expected learning outcomes.
6. Standard 3.1.3 as PIA has not demonstrated that teaching and learning activities are arranged to foster progressive and coherent achievement of expected learning outcomes.
7. Standard 5.1.3 as PIA has not clearly demonstrated that the courses approved by the peak institutional governance processes meet the applicable Standards of the HES Framework.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 53 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the accreditation of a higher education course of study, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.