Commonwealth of Australia

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011

Amendments to Standards made pursuant to section 58 of the
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2003

I, Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, under subsection 58(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011, make the following amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011 dated 22 December 2011 (F2012L00003) which were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 4 January 2012 and commenced on 5 January 2012.

Dated:     30th January                   2013

___________________________________________

CHRIS EVANS

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research

Commonwealth of Australia

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011

Amendment No. 1

1 Name of Instrument

This legislative instrument may be cited as Amendment No. 1 to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011.

2 Authority

This legislative instrument is made under subsection 58(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011.

3 Commencement

This legislative instrument commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

4 Amendment

This legislative instrument amends the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011 dated 22 December 2011 (F2012L00003) which was registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 4 January 2012 and commenced on 5 January 2012.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to make the following technical amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011 in accordance with the Higher Education Standards Panel’s recommendations that these technical amendments correct inconsistencies identified following the implementation of the Threshold Standards.

The Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011 is amended as follows:

ITEM 1 — Table of Contents, Chapter 1, Section 2 heading

Omit and substitute Section 2 heading, ‘Financial viability and safeguards’ with:

Financial viability and sustainability

ITEM 2 – Table of Contents, Chapter 3, after Section 6 heading

Omit the words “Criteria for authorising ‘self-accrediting  authority’” and insert:

Section 7 Criteria for authorising ‘self-accrediting authority’

ITEM 3 – Chapter 1, section entitled “Summary Statement to Provider Registration Standards”, Point 2

Omit and substitute Point 2 heading ‘Financial viability and safeguards’ with:

Financial viability and sustainability

ITEM 4 — Chapter 1, Section 2 heading

Omit and substitute Section 2 heading, ‘Financial viability and safeguards’ with:

Financial viability and sustainability

ITEM 5 – Chapter 3, Section 4, Point 4.2

Omit and substitute the text in the first dot point under 4.2 to with:

are appropriately qualified in the relevant discipline for their level of teaching (qualified to at least one AQF qualification level higher than the course of study being taught or with equivalent professional experience);

ITEM 6 – Chapter 3, Section 4, Point 4.2, end of first dot point

Insert the following two additional dot points immediately after the first dot point stating:

• in the case of supervision of students in a course of study that leads to a Doctoral Degree (Professional) award located at level 10 of the AQF, are qualified at level 10 of the AQF or have equivalent professional experience;
• in the case of supervision of students in a course of study that leads to a Doctoral Degree (Research) award located at level 10 of the AQF, are qualified at Doctoral Degree (Research) level or have equivalent research experience;

ITEM 7 – Chapter 3, end of Section 6

Omit the words “Criteria for authorising ‘self-accrediting authority’” and insert the following heading title:

Section 7  Criteria for authorising ‘self-accrediting authority’

ITEM 8 – Chapter 4, Section 2, Point 2.1.1

Omit and substitute the text in point 2.1.1 with:

Where the award leads to an AQF qualification under Section 1.1, the higher education provider ensures that it identifies the award as an award recognised by the AQF on the testamur or the Graduation Statement by either:

• the words, ‘The award is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework’, or
• the AQF logo, as authorised by the AQF Council.

ITEM 9 – Chapter 4, Section 2, Point 2.4

Omit and substitute the text in point 2.4 with:

The higher education provider ensures that students have access to a statement of attainment or record of results for students who complete one or more accredited units which may lead to an AQF qualification located at level 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the AQF.