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Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011– Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education

On 4 January 2012, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations registered  new standards for higher education providers on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI). The standards known as the Threshold Standards will be used by the new national higher education regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). The Threshold Standards include the:

  • Provider Registration Standards;
  • Provider Category Standards;
  • Provider Course Accreditation Standards; and
  • Qualification Standards.

 The Qualification Standards specify the requirements in relation to:

  • quality assurance;
  • protection against fraudulent use; and
  • providing pathways for further learning.

 Prior to the Threshold standards the National Protocols were used for Higher Education Approval Processes.  A Regulation Impact Statement was prepared by the Department for this proposal and was assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.