by: Mine Racho
The DVE webinar, facilitated by Michelle Mosiere, DVE’s managing consultant, explored the challenges and expectations facing new higher education providers seeking initial registration with TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency). Expert panelists Fiona Turner (CEO, Laurus Higher Education), Pamela Edwards (Department of Education, VPS), and Anne Szadura (CEO, Occupational Therapy Council) offered insights into regulatory requirements, professional accreditation, academic governance, and institutional readiness.
A central theme was the shift in mindset required when moving from VET to higher education. Unlike VET, which is structured around training packages and industry alignment, higher education demands research-led curriculum, academic rigor, and institution-wide governance. TEQSA’s focus is broad, assessing organizational structures, risk frameworks, and quality assurance, whereas professional accreditation bodies concentrate on program-level outcomes and competencies. Authentic evidence of academic integrity, stakeholder input, and decision-making processes is essential — TEQSA expects transparency and detailed documentation, not minimalist compliance.
Fiona Turner outlined the practical difficulties faced by startup institutions, including staffing before operations begin, managing multiple applications (TEQSA, CRICOS, professional accreditation), and developing a meaningful risk management framework despite limited operational data. The panel also emphasized the importance of embedding cultural safety through genuine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement in both curriculum and governance, rather than relying on students as cultural representatives.
Finally, the webinar highlighted the timeframes involved: while TEQSA’s process has a statutory 9-month deadline, most applications take 12 months or longer due to requests for information, which pause the review. Professional accreditations typically take 12–18 months. Institutions must prepare for these delays, build clear governance structures, and communicate openly with regulators to ensure a successful registration outcome.
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