Provider categories and self-accreditation: Part B explained

Part B of the Threshold Standards is the sorting hat of Australian higher education. Section 6 of the instrument names four provider categories: Institute of Higher Education, University College, Australian University and Overseas University. Every registered provider holds exactly one, recorded on the National Register of Higher Education Providers.

Institute of Higher Education

The baseline registered category. All providers must meet Part A and satisfy these criteria to gain TEQSA registration: a clearly articulated higher education purpose with a commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom, at least one accredited course, staff active in scholarship, and public display of the TEQSA provider identification and category.

University College

A maturity step, not a consolation prize - and the instrument says a University College is not required to progress toward the Australian University category. The criteria include authority to self-accredit at least 70% of total courses at the time of application, at least five years of successful delivery, mature quality assurance, and engagement with employers and professions. Separate greenfield criteria exist for well-backed new entrants, including sponsorship by an existing Australian University. If the title is used, it must not be abbreviated to “University”.

Australian University

The full canonical category: self-accrediting authority across its fields, undergraduate and postgraduate delivery in at least three broad fields of education (fewer where a specialised focus applies), doctoral degrees by research, and - under criteria B1.3.16–19 - research at or above world standard across the prescribed proportion of fields, within phased timeframes.

Overseas University

A university recognised by its home-country authority, of a standing acceptable to TEQSA, delivering at least one overseas higher education qualification in Australia and meeting criteria equivalent to the Australian University category.

Self-accrediting authority (B2)

Separately from category, a provider may apply for authority to accredit its own courses under s.45(1) of the TEQSA Act - Unlimited (any course) or Limited (specified levels or fields). The track record demanded includes five years of accreditation applications found to meet Part A and at least one completed cycle of review and improvement.