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Operation of an interstate self-accrediting institution in Queensland

Introduction

Under the Higher Education (General Provisions) Act 2008 (the Act), an institution which is approved in another state of Australia as a self-accrediting institution must not operate in Queensland without the Minister's approval.

The Guidelines for awarding self-accrediting authority to higher education institutions other than universities (relating to National Protocols A and C) (new window) 791k (the Guidelines) provide information on the process for obtaining authority to operate as a self-accrediting higher education institution across Australia (including processes for mutual recognition across jurisdictions at section 12). For the purposes of the application of the Act, operating in Queensland includes:

providing courses or parts of courses leading to higher education awards
providing the related components of providing courses, including materials, other resources and assessment
conferring higher education awards, whether or not a course is provided
providing higher education courses electronically or by distance education from a place inside the State to another place; and
conducting a business in the State as a higher education institution including by using premises, mail or telecommunication devices for the institution.

These operational characteristics apply to the institution itself or any agent acting on behalf of the institution.

The Queensland process

Recognition - The Act does not require an interstate self-accrediting institution to seek accreditation by the Minister of the higher education courses it offers in Queensland, as the institution has authority across Australia under the National Protocols. However, to gain recognition of operation in Queensland, the institution must make an application in writing, and submit it to the Minister through the Office of Higher Education.

This application can be in the form of a letter with attachments and must include:

a copy of the institution's interstate self-accrediting authority and any other relevant documents or information, including information about any restrictions such as to the authority's scope or term
notice of the institution's intention to operate in Queensland; and
notice of the place where the institution intends operating in Queensland.

Once received, the institution's intention will be acknowledged by the Minister within eight weeks and the institution will have recognised self-accrediting authority in Queensland, applying only to the original scope of authority.
NOTE: According to the Guidelines, it is only after receiving such acknowledgement that the institution may advertise its operations in the secondary jurisdiction (Queensland).

Changes - If the recognised interstate self-accrediting institution wishes to change its scope of authority in Queensland, it must give the Minister written notice of the change within 14 days of it occurring (subsequent to relevant authority being granted in the primary jurisdiction).

Current institutions

List of interstate self-accrediting institutions

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This page was last reviewed on 02 Jun 2010