Re-registration 25 September 2019

Provider: University of Tasmania

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of the University of Tasmania

On 25 September 2019 TEQSA:

  • renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of the University of Tasmania in the category of Australian University, for a period of seven years until 25 September 2026.
  • imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, two (2) conditions on the registration of the University of Tasmania.

Condition 1: Student Performance Reporting

By 30 June of each year of registration from 2020, the University of Tasmania must provide to TEQSA a copy of the approved minutes of each meeting of the Academic Senate for the previous 12 months. The minutes must demonstrate that the Academic Senate:

  1. receives a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of rates and trends in student performance data, including progression rates, attrition rates and completion times and rates. The diagnostic analysis must include (but is not limited to) calculations for these rates as defined in the TEQSA Risk Assessment Framework, and include analysis of student performance by:
    1. course of study
    2. study periods
    3. entry pathway (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway including through third party arrangements), including the means by which English language proficiency is assessed
    4. study mode
    5. location of study (including sites operated by third parties and offshore)
    6. education agent
    7. country of origin
    8. comparative student achievement in similar courses at other Australian universities
  2. ensures the development of comprehensive action plans to address any issues identified through the diagnostic analysis done in accordance with Condition 1a, and undertakes periodic monitoring of the effectiveness of any interventions
  3. reports outcomes of Condition 1a and 1b to the Council for consideration and action.

Condition 2: Policy Framework

By 30 June of each year of registration from 2020, the University of Tasmania must provide to TEQSA evidence of implementation of a program of reviews of the University's full suite of policies and procedures to ensure that the University's policy framework is current and effective.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA found that the University of Tasmania has demonstrated:

  1. a commitment to access and social equity for Tasmanians, consistent with its social mission as a university of and for Tasmania
  2. extensive student support offering numerous initiatives such as the University College model to support students from non-traditional backgrounds to succeed in higher education
  3. a sound commitment to continuous improvement of its learning, teaching and research activities

However, TEQSA made the decision to impose two conditions in light of risks that the University of Tasmania may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

  1. Section 5.3 of Part A, in relation to course monitoring and review
  2. Section 6.2 of Part A, in relation to corporate monitoring and accountability
  3. Section 6.3 of Part A, in relation to academic governance.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.