Renewal of Registration 29 September 2021

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Australian College of Christian Studies Ltd

On 29 September 2021 TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Australian College of Christian Studies Ltd in the category of Institute of Higher Education, for a period of five years until 29 September 2026.

On 18 October 2021 TEQSA:

• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, three conditions on the registration of Australian College of Christian Studies Ltd.

Condition 1: Corporate Governance and Corporate Monitoring and Accountability

By 30 June 2022, ACCS must provide to TEQSA:

1. Evidence it has implemented all actions specified for completion by 30 June 2022 in the Comprehensive Action Plan for the Implementation of the Recommendations to TEQSA Relating to ACCS' Application for Reregistration, and
2. A report on the implementation status of all remaining items described in the report named in part (a) above.

Condition 2: Staffing

1. By 30 June 2022, ACCS must demonstrate to TEQSA that ACCS meets the requirements of Paragraph 3.2.3a of the HESF 2021, specifically, that all staff with academic oversight and those with teaching and supervisory roles in courses or units accredited in the human welfare/counselling field of education, are engaged in continuing scholarship in their relevant field of education.
2. By 31 July 2022, ACCS must provide evidence to TEQSA that demonstrates it has:
   
   1. appointed a suitably qualified staff member to the Head of Counselling position, or that it has taken reasonable steps to employ one, if the recruitment process is ongoing.
   2. implemented actions consistent with the four goals set out in the ACCS Scholarship and Research Enhancement Plan 2019-2023.

Condition 3: Delivery with Other Parties

By 31 December 2021, and for each year of its registration, ACCS must provide TEQSA with a copy of the Third Party Monitoring Report, which covers the third party arrangement with Perth Bible College. The report must cover the full academic year and must have been considered and approved by the Academic Board.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that Australian College of Christian Studies Ltd may not continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Section 6.1.3 of Part A in relation to Corporate Governance regarding the implementation of recommendations or action plan items in an appropriate timeframe.
2. Section 6.2.1f of Part A, in relation to Corporate Monitoring and Accountability in relation to the implementation of mechanisms for competent academic governance and leadership.
3. Section 3.2.31 of Part A, and Section B1.1.4 of Part B in relation to ACCS staff, involved in the teaching and supervision roles of the courses or units accredited in the human welfare/counselling field, are engaged in scholarship and professional development activities.
4. Standard 5.4 in relation to Delivery with Other Parties, particularly relating to oversight of work integrated learning placements, and comprehensive reviews of third party arrangements.

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.