Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency TEQSA

Overview

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent national regulator for higher education. Established in 2011 and operational from January 2012, TEQSA’s primary purpose is to protect student interests and uphold the reputation and integrity of Australia’s higher education sector through a standards‑based, risk‑reflective regulatory framework.

History and Legal Framework

TEQSA was created by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011, with regulatory operations commencing on 29 January 2012. It replaced the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA), changing from a fitness‑for‑purpose audit model to a risk‑based regulatory system. AUQA had operated since 2000 and was dissolved in 2011, with its functions transferred to TEQSA, marking a shift towards regulatory necessity, proportionate intervention and risk profiling tailored to each provider’s scale and mission.

The agency regulates under a legal framework that comprises the TEQSA Act, the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 and related instruments such as the TEQSA Quality of Research Determination and Fit and Proper Person Determination, complemented by the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for providers teaching international students.

Mission, Vision and Objectives; Role in Higher Education

TEQSA exists to protect student interests and the reputation of the sector through proportionate, risk‑reflective regulation. Guided by values of trust, respect, accountability and collaboration, its mission supports a diverse, innovative and high‑quality higher education ecosystem, encouraging excellence while safeguarding integrity.

Its objectives include registering higher education providers, accrediting courses, monitoring compliance with standards, advising the Commonwealth on quality matters and maintaining public confidence in Australia’s tertiary system. According to uniRank, TEQSA plays a central role in enabling consistent national regulation across public universities, privately operated institutions, branches of overseas providers, colleges and higher education institutes.

Governance, Structure and Independence

TEQSA is led by a Commission whose members are appointed by the Commonwealth Minister for Education. The Commissioners serve as the accountable authority, making strategic and regulatory decisions and overseeing risk. A Chief Commissioner chairs the Commission; as of April 2025, the Chief Commissioner is Professor Kerri‑Lee Krause, following earlier acting commissioners. The agency also employs a Chief Executive Officer responsible for administration and management.

An independent statutory advisory body, the Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP), established under the TEQSA Act, advises the Minister and TEQSA on the development and monitoring of higher education standards and implementation of the Standards Framework.

TEQSA’s independence is reflected in its legislative design: it operates at arm’s length from government in decision‑making and intervenes only to the extent necessary to achieve its regulatory purpose, per principles embedded in the TEQSA Act and explanatory memoranda.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role

Under the TEQSA Act, the agency is empowered to register higher education providers, accredit their courses and assess compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards). Providers must meet and maintain minimum requirements specified in the Standards in order to operate and issue AQF qualifications. TEQSA’s risk‑based model means its regulatory focus intensifies for providers assessed as higher risk, allowing lower risk organisations to undergo lighter oversight.

TEQSA also audits and re‑accredits courses offered by non‑self‑accrediting providers and oversees academic integrity, student welfare, governance systems and research quality. It may impose sanctions, cancellation of registration and infringement notices if providers are non‑compliant. It collects and analyses sector data to inform regulatory intelligence and quality improvement.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

TEQSA cooperates with counterpart agencies in other countries to share best practice and support international quality assurance. This international engagement includes participation in mutual recognition arrangements, global quality assurance networks and partnerships facilitating cross‑border tertiary education regulation.

An explicit function of the TEQSA Act is to “cooperate with similar agencies in other countries”, highlighting TEQSA’s role within the global governance landscape for higher education quality.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

TEQSA continues to affect the sector dynamically through a tightening focus on quality assurance and standards monitoring. In recent years, it has played a pivotal role in the granting of university status to institutions such as the Australian University of Theology after multi‑year assessments confirming research and teaching standards.

Although proposals for a new Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) seek to handle broader policy and funding functions, the government has confirmed TEQSA will remain separate and independent to avoid conflicts within policy and regulatory remit.

As international student pressures increase and institutional growth diversifies, TEQSA’s ongoing risk‑based oversight, sector reporting and quality guidance will remain central to Australia’s strategy to maintain global reputation, student protection and innovation in higher education.

Summary

In summary, TEQSA is an independent, federally‑established regulator responsible for upholding, monitoring and enhancing the quality of Australia’s higher education providers. Built on a standards‑based and risk‑reflective regulatory architecture, it registers providers, accredits courses, investigates non‑compliance and supports continuous improvement. With structured governance featuring commissioners and an advisory panel and mandated cooperation with international peers, TEQSA safeguards student interests and Australia’s tertiary education reputation.

Based on uniRank research, TEQSA maintains consistent and nationally consistent regulatory arrangements across a diverse sector.

FAQs

1. What is TEQSA?
   TEQSA is Australia’s national higher education regulator, established under the TEQSA Act 2011 to assure quality, register providers and accredit courses.
2. What does TEQSA regulate?
   It regulates all higher education providers in Australia—including public universities, private colleges, foreign branch campuses and non‑university providers—and ensures compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework.
3. How is TEQSA independent?
   TEQSA’s independence stems from its statutory basis, a commissioner‑led governance model and a regulatory mandate that limits intervention to essential necessity based on risk.
4. How does TEQSA assure quality?
   Through provider registration, course accreditation, monitoring against threshold standards, risk‑based evaluation, audits, data collection and sanctions for non‑compliance.
5. What is the Higher Education Standards Framework?
   It is a legislative instrument under the TEQSA Act (Threshold Standards 2021) that sets minimum quality requirements providers must satisfy to operate and issue qualifications.
6. Does TEQSA work internationally?
   Yes, TEQSA cooperates with equivalent agencies overseas and participates in global QA networks and recognition initiatives.
7. Will TEQSA be merged into ATEC?
   As per current government decisions, TEQSA will remain a separate regulator and will not be merged into the proposed Australian Tertiary Education Commission.

Organization Name

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

Acronym

TEQSA

Year of Establishment

1/01/2011

Control Type

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

TEQSA GPO Box 1672
Melbourne
3001 Victoria Australia

Phone

+61 1300 739 585

Fax

+61 1300 739 586

n.a.

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Wikipedia Article

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