Becoming a Higher Education Provider (HEP)

E-Skills Australia provides dedicated advisory and HEP registration services to the higher education sector. We have been assisting a number of clients in HEP registration application preparation, curriculum design, and QA services.

We assist with applications to TEQSA to register as a Higher Education Provider (HEP), undertaking the preparatory work, establishing the required management, operational, and governance structures, and assisting with TEQSA lodgment.

Preparation – Prior to Application

There are minimum requirements that all HEP applicants must meet prior to applying for registration as a higher education provider (TEQSA, 2023). The application process can take 18-24 months from start till end, including TEQSA’s assessment timeframe. The requirements for robust governance structures, quality processes, resources, facilities, staff, capabilities, and management commitment are onerous and highly demanding, with a lot of ground work required before commencing an application.

As outlined by TEQSA (2023), before applying, applicants must ensure they are able to demonstrate that:

  1. They are an entity listed under the definition of regulated entity in Section 5 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act).
  2. They have a clearly articulated higher education purpose that includes a commitment to, and support for, free intellectual inquiry in its academic endeavors – Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 (HES Framework 2015), Standard B1.1.2.
  3. They have a formally constituted and accountable governing body, which includes independent members that exercise competent governance oversight of all of its proposed higher education operations in or from Australia – HES Framework 2015, Part A, Standard 6.1.1.
  4. Members of its governing body are fit and proper persons – HES Framework 2015, Part A, Standard 6.1.2.
  5. Members of its governing body meet the Australian residency requirements (if any) of the instrument under which the applicant is established or incorporated, or otherwise there are at least two members of the governing body who are residents of Australia – HES Framework 2015, Part A, Standard 6.1.2.
  6. Their proposed staffing for each course of study is sufficient to meet the educational, academic support and administrative needs of students undertaking the course. This includes oversight by academic leaders with sufficient experience to develop a higher education learning environment – HES Framework 2015, Part A, Standard 3.2.1.
  7. They can operate effectively and sustainably and in compliance with all relevant legislative requirements and their constitution or equivalent – HES Framework 2015, Part A, Standard 6.2.1.
  8. Their application for registration is in the approved form, accompanied by any information, documents and assistance requested (including a concurrent application for accreditation of at least one higher education course and all other information specified in the relevant application guide) as well as the relevant fee – Section 18(3) of the TEQSA Act.

For more information, visit TEQSA – Applying to Become a Higher Education Provider

Refer to TEQSA’s – Provider Registration: Quick Process Guide [PDF] or preliminary information.

Update (2023) – Changes to TEQSA Fees and Charges

From 1 January 2023, TEQSA has increased its fees and introduce new charges to recover costs for regulatory activities undertaken to support Australia’s higher education sector. Refer to TEQSA Fees and Charges page more information.

Our Services

For new applicants, we assist with;

  • Developing and managing a project plan
  • Assisting with establishing terms of references and charters
  • Developing a business plan (preliminary)
  • Assisting with establishing a management structure
  • Assisting with establishing a governance structure
  • Developing key documents and plans
  • Assisting with curriculum and course structure development
  • Preparing a TEQSA application

The above are prepared as preliminary documents and structures at a formative stage, providing the required ground work for the respective governing bodies and working committees and saving time.

Once the governing bodies are established and functional, we assume the advisory role as part of Audit and Risk Committee under the direction of the primary governing body.

We also assist with;

  • Establishing a governance structure as a private HEP
  • Staff and member induction (Higher Education Standards Framework, governance, risk management etc.)
  • New higher education course accreditation
  • Quality review and audit (Governance, compliance, process)
  • HE pathways and course alignments
  • Credentials and micro-credentials – existing and new programs
  • Membership to working committees

We assist both new/prospective and existing higher education providers.

Contact us for further information and discussion.