What is Quality Assurance?

Defined in higher education as

• systematic management and assessment procedures adopted by a higher education institution or system to monitor performance and to ensure achievement of quality outputs or improved quality - Harman and Meek (2000).

Aim of quality assurance

• to give stakeholders confidence about the management of quality and the outcomes achieved.

Evidenced through

• policies, attitudes, actions and procedures that assure that quality is not only maintained but also enhanced.

The National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes (2007) are a key element of the national quality assurance framework for Australian higher education. They protect the standing of Australian higher education nationally and internationally by assuring students and the community that higher education institutions in Australia have met identified criteria and are subject to appropriate government regulation.

External Reference Points

The quality assurance environment in the higher education sector has a range of reference and regulatory mechanisms which inform the Quality Assurance policies and procedures within the University.

National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes (MCEETYA 2007)

CAUL Principles for Library Services to Offshore Students to Support Teaching and Learning

Code of Practice and Guidelines for Australian Universities

Australian Qualifications Framework

ACODE Benchmarks

National English Language Training Accreditation Scheme (NEAS)

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)

Updated: 24 October 2011