by: Claire Holmes

Re-registration with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is a critical process for Australian higher education providers, enabling them to maintain their registered status under the TEQSA Act. This renewal occurs at least every seven years, although some institutions may face shorter intervals based on their risk profiles or specific conditions. Institutions are categorized under the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF), which outlines minimum expectations for educational quality and research activities.

The re-registration process is designed to ensure compliance with the HESF, requiring institutions to conduct internal reviews and governance checks while preparing comprehensive documentation. It is recommended that providers begin their preparations 18 months to 2 years in advance to facilitate a thorough internal review. Recent changes to the process include a move from Confirmed Evidence Tables to a Self-Assurance Report format, necessitating that providers clearly document their governance and risk management strategies.

In light of the pandemic, TEQSA offered greater flexibility in regulatory requirements, including extended registration periods. Additionally, TEQSA has updated its Risk Assessment Framework to enhance regulatory approaches and assessment criteria. To successfully navigate re-registration, institutions should focus on several key practices: ensuring engaged leadership, making quality assurance a continuous effort, and utilizing external reviews like health checks and mock assessments to identify potential compliance issues ahead of submission. By understanding these requirements and preparing diligently, institutions can effectively meet TEQSA’s standards and uphold educational quality.

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