Higher Education
Higher Education registration
Organisations wishing to offer higher education courses in Victoria must apply to the VRQA for registration as a non self-accrediting higher education institution and for accreditation of their proposed higher education courses.
Organisations seeking registration as a higher education institution must apply to the VRQA using the national application form for registration and associated templates listed in the Forms section of this page.
Accreditation of higher education courses
Approval to deliver higher education courses to overseas students in Victoria.
Criteria for registration
Before approving registration, the VRQA must be satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements for registration under the National Protocols and Guidelines.
The VRQA will also request access to detailed financial information to determine whether the institution has the financial capacity to enable the delivery of the course for the period of approval to protect the interests of enrolled students.
The approval process
The higher education approval process as it applies to provider registration, course accreditation, approval of ‘major changes’ to registration or course accreditation, and mutual recognition of institutions and courses in secondary jurisdictions, employs a system of peer review whereby applications are considered by assessment panels comprised of suitably qualified and experienced senior academics.
Upon completion of the assessment process, the assessment panel prepares a report setting out its findings, comments and recommendations. The applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the report prior to its being submitted to the VRQA for consideration and decision.
Higher education approval process (PDF - 42Kb)
In cases where a panel finds an application to be unacceptable in its present form, but able to be rectified within 10 weeks, it may be resubmitted (once only) to the same panel. If a panel recommends rejecting the application, or if it is withdrawn, a new application may not be resubmitted within 12 months.
Period of registration
Registration is for a period of up to five years. Institutions are required to apply for re-registration near the end of the 5 year approval period and applications should be submitted no later than eight months prior to the registration expiry date. To apply for re-registration, please complete the initial registration form below.
Forms
- Application Form for Initial Registration as a Non Self-Accrediting Higher Education Institution (Word - 421Kb)
- Attachment 1.2a template (Fit and proper persons declaration) (Word - 54Kb)
- Attachment 1.4a template (Applicant’s declaration: registration) (Word - 37Kb)
- Attachment 7.3a-i template (Current Management/Administrative Staff Profile) (Word - 52Kb)
- Attachment 7.3a-ii template (Current academic staff profile) (Word - 66Kb)
- Attachment 7.3a-iii template (Current support staff profile) (Word - 52Kb)
Major changes to higher education institutions
Major changes to a higher education institution’s ownership, operating arrangements or course delivery arrangements may alter the terms under which an institution was registered to provide higher education courses. If major changes are planned, or are likely to occur due to a change in circumstances, an application for approval of the change(s) must be submitted to the VRQA at least three months prior to the change.
Major changes implementation advice (PDF - 44Kb)
Mutual recognition
Non self-accrediting higher education institutions approved to operate in other States and Territories may apply to operate and have their courses recognised in Victoria under the Mutual Recognition provisions in the National Protocols and Guidelines. The period of course accreditation in Victoria under mutual recognition is the same as the period in the primary jurisdiction.
- Application Form for Mutual Recognition as a Non Self-accrediting Higher Education Provider (Word - 305Kb)
- Attachment 3.1a (Qualifications and Experience of Current Management/Administrative Staff (in Secondary Jurisdiction) (Word - 54Kb)
- Attachment 3.1b (Qualifications and Experience of Current Academic Staff (in the Secondary Jurisdiction) (Word - 58Kb)
- Attachment 3.1d (Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae – Key Academic Staff) (Word - 43Kb)
- Attachment 3.1f (Qualifications and Experience of Current Support Staff (in the Secondary Jurisdiction) (Word - 54Kb)
- Attachment 5a (Applicant’s Declaration – Registration) (Word - 37Kb)
- Attachment 5b (Applicant’s Declaration – Accreditation) (Word - 35Kb)
- Attachment 5c (Fit and Proper Persons’ Declaration) (Word - 54Kb)
Annual reporting and monitoring by the VRQA
Higher education institutions are required to submit an annual report to the Government Accreditation Authority under which they are registered. Annual reporting is required against a nationally-agreed template supplied by the VRQA. Institutions are advised by the VRQA when the reports are required.
Annual reports assist the VRQA in monitoring institutions’ quality assurance processes and their ongoing compliance with the National Protocols.
For new institutions, a site visit is conducted around the mid-point of the first term of registration. An expert panel reviews course delivery arrangements, procedures for course review and quality assurance processes.
Annual report proforma (Word - 327Kb)
Fees
A revised fee structure has been implemented from January 2009.
Useful Links
- National Guidelines relating to National Protocols A and B Guidelines (A&B)
- Australian Qualifications Framework Implementation Handbook
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Revised Protocols and Guidelines are available at the MCEETYA website.