Re-registration 21 August 2014

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of TAFE Queensland

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of TAFE Queensland as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of seven years to 21 August 2021 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'. TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two conditions on the registration of TAFE Queensland as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

TAFE Queensland to offer the accredited courses only at the South Bank location.

Condition 2:

TAFE Queensland to provide a plan with timeline for the development and authorisation of academic and student-related policies and procedures and academic governance for higher education at TAFE Queensland, and to report on progress against the plan (including submission of the policies and procedures developed) with the first report due by the 31 December 2014 and then annually by 31 December until further notice.

Background to Decision

TAFE Queensland 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, TEQSA assessed the application submitted by TAFE Queensland against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included only the South Bank site.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to TAFE Queensland's registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act. TAFE Queensland was established on 1 July 2013 as an overarching entity to oversee and operate Queensland's further education and training sector. Given the transitional nature of TAFE Queensland's governance framework and higher education operations, the provider is considered to be at risk of non-compliance with a number of Threshold Standards.

• The broad issues which relate to TAFE Queensland's registration include the transitional nature of the provider's:

  a) corporate and academic governance arrangements; and

  b) academic and student-related policies and procedures.

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.