Re-registration 05 September 2013

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Oases Community Learning Limited

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Oases Community Learning Limited as a higher education provider is renewed until 31 December 2016 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed one condition on the registration of Oases Community Learning Limited as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

a) Oases Community Learning Limited provides to TEQSA, within 90 days of the notification of this decision, evidence that it has a cash reserve that will:

i) provide an underpinning for the sustainability of its higher education operation; and

ii) ensure funds are available to repay any portion of tuition fees paid by a student for a unit of study in an accredited course ('the course of study') that the student commences but is not able to complete as a result of the provider being unable, for any reason, to deliver the course of study.

b) Oases Community Learning Limited maintains, at all times, the level of cash reserves identified in part (a) throughout the period of registration and if exceptional circumstances dictate the need to draw on funds that affects this minimum level, Oases Community Learning Limited must notify TEQSA through a Material Change Notification prior to this occurring.

Background to Decision

Oases Community Learning Limited submitted an application for renewal of registration in the category of Higher Education Provider under Section 35 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act). Subsection 36(4) of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to renew a provider's registration for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, Oases Community Learning Limited has demonstrated that it meets the Threshold Standards for its higher education operations at its Australian sites. The renewal of registration covers operations within Australia.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply a condition to the registration of Oases Community Learning Limited as a higher education provider is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act as TEQSA requires further evidence to demonstrate Oases Community Learning Limited is able to ensure ongoing compliance with the Threshold Standards.

• Oases Community Learning Limited is reliant upon monetary and in-kind donations in order to maintain a financial profile that contributes towards sustaining quality in higher education operations. Oases Community Learning Limited's capacity to continue to apply sufficient financial resources towards the achievement of higher education objectives is reliant upon successfully realising key forecast assumptions that have no historical basis. Oases Community Learning Limited's overall capacity to sustain higher education operations is at risk thus impacting on compliance with PRS2 - Financial Viability and Safeguards. TEQSA considers it necessary and proportionate in order to mitigate the risk of provider collapse and to safeguard student interests to impose conditions on the registration.