Higher Education

Higher Education registration

Providers 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 below.

See also: Accreditation of courses 

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 - 36Kb)

Period of registration

Registration is for a period of up to five years.  Providers are required to apply for re-registration and applications should be submitted no later than eight months prior to the registration expiry date.

Forms

 

Changes to the registration criteria

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.

VRQA Guidelines on approval of major changes (PDF - 44Kb)

 

Course accreditation under 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.

 

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.

A site visit is conducted around the mid-point of the first term of registration of higher education institutions. An expert panel reviews course delivery arrangements, procedures for course review and quality assurance processes.

Annual report proforma (Word - 334Kb)

Fees

Fees for investigating applications for registration of new higher education institutions and accreditation of new courses. (PDF - 76Kb)

Useful Links

 

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