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The undertaking of research that leads to new knowledge and original creative endeavour, together with research training, represents a fundamental and defining feature for any higher education provider (provider) seeking status as an 'Australian University'. In accordance with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) s59A(1), the quality of research undertaken by a provider must be considered by TEQSA if the provider is: (1) applying under section 18 for registration in the Australian University category; (2) applying under section 38 to change to the Australian University category; and (3) currently in the Australian University category. The purpose and intent of the guidance note about research requirements is to support providers who aspire to enter and remain within the Australian University provider category ensure they undertake research at the level and depth required for Australian Universities.

The Australian Government Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency's (TEQSA's) guidance notes are concise documents designed to provide high-level, principles-based guidance on interpretation and application of specific standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. They also draw attention to other interrelated standards and highlight potential risks to compliance. They do not introduce prescriptive obligations. The definitive instruments that set out providers' obligations in delivering higher education remain the Threshold Standards (as amended on advice from the Higher Education Standards Panel to the Minister for Education from time to time) and the TEQSA Act. In August 2023, TEQSA consulted stakeholders with a draft version of the Academic Monitoring, Review and Improvement guidance note, and considered all feedback. The purpose and intent of this guidance note is to encompass key elements of institutional quality assurance.

The undertaking of research that leads to new knowledge and original creative endeavour, together with research training, represents a fundamental and defining feature for any higher education provider seeking status as an 'Australian University'. This guidance note focusses on the requirements specifically applying to Australian Universities and the quality and quantity of research that is undertaken at an institutional level. This report includes: (1) research requirements for Australian Universities in accordance with the "Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011"; (2) what Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) will look for when assessing research quality; and (3) identified issues by TEQSA which warrant further consideration.

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is responsible for the regulation and quality assurance of all providers offering higher education courses. TEQSA's annual report and annual performance statements have been prepared in accordance with the following requirements: (1) Subsection 46(1) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (the PGPA Act) requires the accountable authority provide the responsible Minister with an annual report for presentation to Parliament; and (2) Paragraph 39(1)(a) of the PGPA Act requires the preparation and presentation of annual performance statements. This report is an account of TEQSA's performance for the past year against measures and targets set out in its "2021-22 Portfolio Budget Statements" and "2021-25 Corporate Plan." This report provides a "year in review," an organizational overview, a performance review, management and accountability, and financial report. [For the 2020-21 report, see ED616872.]

This report informs Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training, the Parliament of Australia, the Australian higher education community and the general public about the performance of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA or the agency) during the financial year ending 30 June 2017. Prepared according to parliamentary reporting requirements, the report describes TEQSA's achievements against the purposes and indicators set out in the "TEQSA Corporate Plan 2016-20" and in TEQSA's "2016-17 Portfolio Budget Statements." Section 1 of the report reflects on the past year, highlighting significant issues faced by TEQSA and initiatives undertaken, as well as current and future challenges. Section 2 provides information about TEQSA and its governance, roles and functions and organisational structure, as well as its approach to risk and standards-based regulation. Section 3 reports on how TEQSA performed during the reporting period against the purposes set out in the "TEQSA Corporate Plan 2016-20," and its stated outcome and program deliverables contained in the "2016-17 Portfolio Budget Statements." Section 4 provides information on corporate governance, external and internal accountability, human resource management, financial management, purchasing, consultants and contract management, legal services and other activities relevant to the administration of the agency. Section 5 presents audited financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2017. Section 6, Appendixes, includes information relating to TEQSA's staffing and its performance in relation to Australian Government environmental, disability, freedom of information and financial management outcomes. Lastly, Section 7 contains indices and glossaries. [For "TEQSA Annual Report 2015-2016" see ED573132.]

The "Statistics Report on TEQSA Registered Higher Education Providers" ("the Statistics Report") is the fourth release of selected higher education sector data held by is the fourth release of selected higher education sector data held by the Australian Government Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) for its quality assurance activities. It provides a snapshot of national statistics from across the sector, bringing together data collected directly by TEQSA and data sourced from the main higher education statistics collections managed by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. This includes data from TEQSA's National Register of Higher Education Providers and annual Provider Information Request (PIR). The PIR gathers a limited set of key data from some providers not required to report, or only partially report, data in the Department of Education and Training's Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS). Information outlined in the Statistics Report highlights the diversity of the Australian higher education sector. The Statistics Report provides high-level information across four key areas: (1) providers; (2) students; (3) academic staff; and (4) finance. This update of the Statistics Report focuses on data relating to 2015. The Explanatory Notes and Glossary at the back of the Statistics Report provide further contextual information on the data and presentation. [For "Statistics Report on TEQSA Registered Higher Education Providers, 2016," see ED573131.]

The Commonwealth Minister for Education and Training has made new national standards for higher education in Australia -- the "Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015" (HES Framework). The new HES Framework will apply for regulatory purposes from 1 January 2017. From this date, all providers of higher education in or from Australia must meet and continue to meet the requirements of the new HES Framework. The purpose of this overview is to summarise the intent of the new HES Framework in plain language and to outline some key aspects of TEQSA's approach to regulation against the new Standards. A general overview of the regulatory implications of application of the new HES Framework is given, linked to specific discussion of the seven 'Domains' of the Standards within the HES Framework. The application guides and guidance notes will provide further information on TEQSA's requirements for regulatory assessments and TEQSA's differentiated model of assessment (known as 'core+'), as well as TEQSA's interpretations of the Standards within the HES Framework.

This report informs Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training, the Parliament of Australia, the Australian higher education community and the general public about the performance of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA or the Agency) during the financial year ending 30 June 2016. Prepared according to parliamentary reporting requirements, the report describes TEQSA's achievements against the purposes and criteria set out in TEQSA's Corporate Plan 2015-19 and the indicators in TEQSA's 2015-16 Portfolio Budget Statements. The following briefly describes the contents of this report: Section 1: Review by the Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer--reflects on the past year, highlighting significant issues faced by TEQSA and initiatives undertaken, as well as current and future challenges. Section 2: Agency overview--provides information about TEQSA and its governance, roles and functions and organisational structure, as well as its approach to risk and standards-based regulation. Section 3: Performance review--reports on how TEQSA performed during the reporting period against the purposes set out in the TEQSA Corporate Plan 2015-19 and its stated outcome and program deliverables contained in the 2015-16 Portfolio Budget Statements. Section 4; Management and accountability--provides information on corporate governance, external and internal accountability, human resource management, financial management, purchasing, consultants and contract management, legal services and other activities relevant to the administration of the Agency. Section 5: Financial report--presents audited financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2016. Section 6: Appendices--includes information relating to TEQSA's staffing and its performance in relation to Australian Government environmental, disability, freedom of information and financial management outcomes. Section 7: Indices and references--assists readers to locate and understand information in the annual report. The following are appended: (1) Summary of resources; (2) Staffing profile; (3) Freedom of information; (4) Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance; (5) Advertising and market research; (6) Workplace health and safety; (7) Complaints handling; and (8) Disability reporting. A section of Acronyms and abbreviations, a glossary of terms, a compliance index, and an alphabetical index is included. [For the previous report, "TEQSA Annual Report 2014-15," see ED564159.]

This Statistics Report is the third release of selected higher education sector data held by the Australian Government Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) for its quality assurance activities. It provides a snapshot of national statistics on all parts of the sector by bringing together data collected directly by TEQSA with data sourced from the main higher education statistics collections managed by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. This update of the Statistics Report focuses on data relating to 2014. The Statistics Report provides high level information across four key areas: providers, students, academic staff and finance. While the Statistics Report is focused on higher education data, financial data include all sources of revenue within a provider's operations, including revenue from VET and other activities, reflecting the breadth and diversity of operations within some higher education providers. The Explanatory Notes and Glossary at the back of the Statistics Report provide further contextual information on the data and presentation. [For the previous report, "Statistics Report on TEQSA Registered Higher Education Providers," see ED564160.]

On 12 November 2014 the Fairfax media reported allegations of cheating by students at a number of Australian higher education providers through the purchase of assignments, particularly through the MyMaster website. The Honorable Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Education and Training, referred the matter to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) to investigate further. TEQSA wrote to all registered Australian higher education providers. Those providers identified in the media were requested to report to TEQSA on action taken to investigate the allegations and remedy the matter should it prove necessary. All higher education providers were asked to share best practice approaches to minimising student misconduct in assessment and promoting academic integrity amongst students. This report is drawn from the responses received.

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has published reports on all its regulatory decisions made since July 1, 2013, irrespective of the provider category in which a provider is registered or the particular circumstances of a provider, with the exception of decisions relating to an application for initial registration from an aspiring provider. Any reports on renewal of registration decisions prior to July 1, 2013 have been published with the agreement of the relevant provider. These reports provide prospective students, current students, and the wider public access to information about providers and the sector, and provide transparency of TEQSA's processes, regulatory decisions, and reasons for these decisions. Reports are included on the National Register of Higher Education Providers ("the Register") to promulgate information to the public about registered providers. The Register is the authoritative source of information on the status of registered higher education providers in Australia. This report outlines TEQSA's approach to publicly reporting its regulatory decisions, and discusses TEQSA's policy principles, report formats, and timeframes for publication. It should be read in conjunction with TEQSA's Public Disclosure Policy, available at: http://teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/TEQSAPublicDisclosurePolicy.pdf.

The Australian Government Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency's (TEQSA's) role is to assure that quality standards are being met by all registered higher education providers. This paper explains how TEQSA's risk-based approach to assuring higher education standards is applied in broad terms to a diverse sector. This explanation is consistent with the revised processes developed by TEQSA in close consultation with the sector over 2013-14. The paper has been developed based on a dialogue between TEQSA and registered higher education providers through their peak bodies. It depicts how TEQSA's risk-based approach to assurance of quality standards is applied in practice to the sector, and aims to facilitate a shared understanding of how TEQSA takes into account relevant organisational characteristics. TEQSA applies a consistent and fair approach that treats like providers in the same manner, regardless of provider category under the TEQSA Act (the Act). The following appendix is included: Examples of Applying the Framework Outlined Above to Hypothetical Cases.

This report informs Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training, the Parliament of Australia, the Australian higher education community and the general public about the performance of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA or the Agency) during the financial year ending 30 June 2015. Prepared according to parliamentary reporting requirements, the report describes TEQSA's achievements against the goals set out in TEQSA's 2014-15 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements. It provides information on TEQSA's performance in relation to its stated outcome: [To] contribute to a high-quality higher education sector through streamlined and nationally consistent higher education regulatory arrangements; registration of higher education providers; accreditation of higher education courses; and investigation, quality assurance, and dissemination of higher education standards and performance. The following briefly describes the contents of this report: Section 1: Review by the Chief Commissioner--reflects on the past year, highlighting significant issues TEQSA has faced and initiatives it has undertaken, as well as the Chief Commissioner's perspective on current and future challenges. Section 2: Agency overview--provides information about TEQSA and its governance, its roles and functions, and organisational structure. Section 3: Performance review--reports on how TEQSA performed during the reporting period against its stated outcome (above) and the program framework contained in the 2014-15 Portfolio Budget Statements. Section 4: Management and accountability--provides information on corporate governance, external and internal accountability, human resource management, financial management, purchasing, consultants and contract management, legal services and other activities relevant to the administration of the Agency. Section 5: Financial report--presents audited financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2015. Section 6: Appendices--includes information relating to TEQSA's staffing and its performance in relation to Australian Government environmental, disability, freedom of information and financial management outcomes. Section 7: Indices and references--assists readers to locate and understand information in the annual report. The following are appended: (1) Summary of resources 110; (2) Staffing profile 112; (3) Freedom of information 113; (4) Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance 113; (5) Advertising and market research 113; (6) Workplace health and safety 114; (7) Complaints handling 114; (8) Disability reporting 115; and (9) Setting standards. A compliance index, a list of acronyms, and a glossary of terms are also included.

This statistics report provides a comprehensive snapshot of national statistics on all parts of the sector for the year 2013, by bringing together data collected directly by TEQSA with data sourced from the main higher education statistics collections managed by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. The report provides high level information across four key areas: providers, students, academic staff and finances, with this update of the report focusing on data relating to 2013. Data relates to providers registered in 2013 (excluding those that withdrew registration during that year), and 2013 student, academic staff, and finance data. This includes an update to academic staff data for 2013 published in the previous Statistics Report, to now include academic casual staff. While the Statistics Report is focused on higher education data, financial data include all sources of revenue within a provider's operations, including revenue from VET and other activities, reflecting the breadth and diversity of operations within some higher education providers. The Explanatory Notes and Glossary at the back of the Statistics Report provide further contextual information on the data and presentation.

This report is the first release of selected data held and analysed by The Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) for its regulatory purposes that provides a complete view of the sector that has not previously been disseminated. As the national regulator of all Australian higher education providers, TEQSA is in a unique position in holding broad information for its regulatory purposes relevant to all parts of the sector. TEQSA collects key information from higher education providers either not currently reporting or only partially reporting in the Department of Education's national collection, and also holds rich information and insights about Australian higher education providers gathered through its provider registration and course accreditation activities. The Statistics Report provides data on providers, students, staff and finances, and is sourced from TEQSA's Provider Information Request and TEQSA's National Register, together with data from the Department of Education Higher Education Information Management System. A glossary is also included.