The Threshold Standards set the minimum requirements all registered higher education providers must meet and continue to meet to be registered to provide higher education in or from Australia. The standards apply across the public and private higher education sector, including Australian Universities, University Colleges, Institutes of Higher Education, and Overseas Universities.
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) use the Threshold Standards to regulate higher education providers and courses.
As part of its stewardship role, the ATEC provides advice and recommendations to the Minister for Education and TEQSA on the Threshold Standards. The Higher Education Standards Committee (HESC) supports the ATEC in performing this function.
Reviewing the Threshold Standards - Roles and responsibilities
Regular review helps ensure the Threshold Standards remain fit for purpose, nationally coherent and responsive to the evolving needs of Australia’s higher education sector. They must be reviewed at least once every five years.
The Minister for Education:
The Minister is responsible for making or amending the standards. Before doing so, the Minister must have received a draft standard developed by ATEC, and have consulted with state and territory ministers responsible for higher education, and TEQSA, on the draft. The Department of Education may provide administrative and policy support to the Minister in undertaking this process.
ATEC:
As steward of the sector, ATEC is responsible for bringing a whole-of-sector perspective to the quality, integrity and long-term sustainability of Australia's higher education system through its advice and recommendations to the Minister and TEQSA, on Threshold Standards.
HESC:
HESC is a statutory committee of the ATEC that provides independent expert advice and recommendations on the Threshold Standards.
Drawing on expertise from across the higher education sector and other stakeholders, the HESC considers relevant evidence and emerging issues and stakeholder perspectives to support ATEC’s stewardship of the Threshold Standards.
TEQSA:
TEQSA regulates registered higher education providers against the Threshold Standards and supports the sector through guidance, advice, and quality assurance activities. It also shares insights and promotes continuous improvement to help providers effectively self-assure and meet the Threshold Standards.
Consultation
Consultation helps ensure that advice on the Threshold Standards is informed by a broad range of perspectives. Information about public consultation will be published at: Consultation | ATEC.