Why TEQSA re registration matters now
Preparing a TEQSA re-registration submission is a significant and resource intensive process for universities, TAFE's and Institutes of Higher Education. Ensuring a positive outcome for the maximum period of 7 years without conditions or undertakings signals confidence to the market, other regulators and to the broader community including students and staff of the quality of an institution's governance, education and research, and student outcomes.
As the higher education sector continues to face scrutiny by the government, media and other regulators, new complex policy settings and compliance obligations are also being established. Within this context, an application to TEQSA for re-registration requires careful planning, management, institutional engagement and oversight by governance.
TEQSA's current approach requires evidence that the corporate governing body can demonstrate oversight over embedded processes and mechanisms for compliance monitoring and risk management and is assured that lapses in compliance are addressed. In essence, TEQSA is seeking documentary evidence of systemic processes to monitor quality, compliance and integrity throughout the registration period which should be curated, collated and referenced in the re-registration submission as approved by governance.
This article is designed to assist planning processes by providing:
- a snapshot of TEQSA's current requirements; and
- an outline of key considerations based on our observations of TEQSA's 'Self Assurance' approach.
In summary, this article highlights the following:
- TEQSA's approach to re-registration applications is evolving
- Compliance obligations across the sector are becoming more complex and information sharing protocols across regulators is in place
- Evidence of corporate governance oversight over compliance and risks throughout the TEQSA registration period, not just at the point of re-registration, is an expectation
- Robust and recent independent reviews of governance and implementation of actions arising are critical artefacts
- For universities, governance assurance of research performance in line with TEQSA's Research Requirements is required.
- A well planned and carefully developed application is likely to mitigate follow-ups by TEQSA.
What is required?
TEQSA guidance outlines the requirements for re-registration applications summarised below:
- Governing Body’s 10 page “Self-Assurance Report”
- For Universities: A 5 Page Research Requirements Report
- Independent corporate and academic governance reviews
- Evidence of governance review implementation (action or implementation plan)
- Evidence of Risk Framework and Registers
- Index of Evidence that can be requested
For all TEQSA providers including universities, the 10 Page Self Assurance Report is intended to provide evidence of systemic oversight, monitoring and risk management over internal and sector risks, and compliance with legislative obligations including with the Threshold Standards as follows:
- Domain 1: Student Participation and Attainment
- Domain 2: Learning Environment
- Domain:3: Teaching
- Domain 4: Research and Research Training (if relevant)
- Domain 5: Institutional Quality Assurance
- Domain 6: Governance and Accountability
- Domain 7: Representation, Information and Information Management
For universities, the 5 Page Research Requirements Report should evidence the governing body’s oversight of research quality, having regard to the standard of research set out in Part B of the Threshold Standards (Criteria B1.3.16-19). Where relevant, this may involve a university addressing its preparedness to meet research standards in the future, noting the transitional arrangements for research requirements for providers registered in this category that are set out in Criteria B1.3.16-19 and in B3.2
What are the transitional Research Requirements for Universities
From 1 July 2026, universities will have to meet additional research requirements. From that date, universities must be able to evidence that they undertake research that is either at or above 'world standard' or research of national standing in fields specific to Australia that leads to the creation of new knowledge and original creative endeavour in the greater of at least 3 or at least 30% of broad Fields of Education in which the provider delivers courses. From 1 July 2031, this requirement will increase to the greater of at least 3 or at least 50% of broad Fields of Education in which the provider delivers courses.
The incoming research requirements presupposes some form of independent research evaluation will exist. The Australian Research Council (ARC) previously administered Australia's national research assessment, Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). ERA assessments were conducted in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018. A methodology for the 2023 ERA assessment was released, but the assessment was subsequently cancelled.
Universities, particularly those approaching submission of their application for renewal of registration, will need to have a system in place for establishing that they undertake the requisite research will in advance of the 1 July 2026 deadline.
Observations in relation to re-registration of universities
Between April 2018 and June 2021, two universities received shortened registration periods, and four others were registered for the maximum period of 7 years with conditions related to student performance reporting, governance, academic risk management, policy framework, and research. Only one of these universities has had its registration renewed for the maximum period of 7 years without conditions, while two others are still awaiting registration decisions.
For applications submitted in 2022 and 2023, TEQSA has taken a year or more to assess the applications. The time taken by TEQSA to assess renewal applications has decreased significantly for applications submitted in recent years, However, some universities are still waiting for their applications to be assessed following lengthy assessment periods.
As of September 2025, there are 27 registered Australian universities and 17 universities awaiting renewal of their registration by TEQSA. Since the implementation of current standards in 2021, 14 universities have had their registration renewed for the maximum period of 7 years without any conditions. However, TEQSA has not yet made decisions on the renewal applications of 17 other universities.
Submit a focused, evidence led application
As the higher education sector comes under greater scrutiny, TEQSA's assessment process appears to be influenced by media reports, complaints, and other related regulatory and accreditation processes such as Fair Work, National Student Ombudsman, or professional accreditation concerns in high growth areas such as Early Childcare.
Submissions to TEQSA for re-registration should be planned well in advance of the submission date with governance engagement, reporting and oversight culminating in a focussed application. The submission should be an evidence-based and current account of how governing bodies diligently oversee and address known risk areas and mitigation strategies, demonstrate compliance assurance systems, and are satisfied that performance measures for quality and integrity of education and research are met.
Contact our TEQSA specialists today, to discuss your next steps.
