Accreditation 21 August 2014

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by TAFE Queensland

TEQSA has determined, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant accreditation of the following higher education course of study offered by TAFE Queensland for a period of seven years until 21 August 2021:

• Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two conditions on the accreditation of the above course of study. TAFE Queensland must, before enrolling any students in the course:

Condition 1:

Confirm and provide details of the appointment of a course coordinator and a lecturer, appropriately qualified and with suitable teaching experiences and sound understanding of current scholarship and professional practice in the dental prosthetics discipline, to the satisfaction of TEQSA.

Condition 2:

Demonstrate the course meets the AQF Level 7 specification by providing:

a) a mapping of unit and course learning outcomes against the AQF Level 7 specification

b) modified assessments addressing issues relating to assessment levels identified by the external expert

c) revised admission criteria that ensure students have adequate prior knowledge and skills to undertake the course successfully.

Background to Decision

TAFE Queensland submitted an application for accreditation of one course of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 49(6) enables TEQSA to grant accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study submitted by TAFE Queensland for accreditation complies with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at the South Bank site. TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to TAFE Queensland's application for accreditation of the course of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as TAFE Queensland is at risk of not complying with the Threshold Standards as follows:

• The broad issues which relate to the Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics include:

  a) ensuring appointment of academic staff members with appropriate scholarly capabilities; and

  b) ensuring the proposed course meets the required AQF level specifications.

TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards may affect TAFE Queensland's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

In accordance with subsections 53(2) and 53(3) 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.