Three categories of new HE Threshold Standards are now in force.
“In the coming months TEQSA will work with the sector to support providers in applying the new standards,” the regulator warns.
The new standards include the following.
On racism
- “Definitions of racism and specific forms of racism relevant to a provider’s higher education operations, including racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, antisemitism, Islamophobia and any other forms of racial discrimination and vilification which are specific to the needs of the provider’s community
- “Clear accountabilities” for implementation of policies and procedures on student, staff and visitor safety processes for handling formal complaints “are accessible, easy to navigate, promote cultural safety, and administrative barriers are minimised”
- “Definitions of racism and specific forms of racism relevant to a provider’s higher education operations … which are specific to the needs of the provider’s community” and are “clearly specified and understood.”
- “Policies, procedures, and practices … that embed safe, respectful, and inclusive behaviours across all operations”
- “Clear guidance to students and staff on actions that enhance safety and security on campus and online”
- “ Ensuring that academic decision-making reflects a diversity of discipline, student and professional staff perspectives.”
On governance
- “ Informed decision-making by students and staff is supported and students and staff have opportunities to participate in the deliberative and decision-making processes of the higher education provider”
- “The provider is able to demonstrate, and the corporate governing body assures itself, that the provider is operating lawfully, ethically, effectively and sustainably”
- Realistic performance targets and underperformance corrected
- Resources to meet institution’s education objectives and the Threshold Standards
- Financial statements independently audited, “financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the entity are monitored regularly and understood”
- Risks identified and managed and appetite defined
- Competent academic leadership and governance in-place according to an academic governance policy
- Participation and decision-making by and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and “their knowledge and cultures”
- Allegations of misconduct, breaches of academic or research integrity and critical incidents are monitored, addressed and acted on
- Minimum five yearly independent reviews of “effectiveness” of governing body and academic governance which are reviewed and agreed actions implemented
On academic governance
- “The governing body actively oversees and is accountable for the provider’s strategy, performance, risk management, culture and compliance consistent with its purpose.
- “The distinct roles and responsibilities of a provider’s governance bodies including the governing body, academic body or equivalent and senior management are clearly delineated, understood and respected”
- The governing body has “the skills, knowledge, capabilities, experience, independence of mind and diversity of perspectives to perform its role and discharge its responsibilities”
- The governing body “supports members to participate in meetings effectively, including through the provision of induction and development programs and ensuring a culture of fairness, respect, and constructive discussion”
Universities must publish:
- Governing body meeting outcomes and decisions,
- “Purpose, value and justification of consultancy spending”
- VC and senior-executive external roles, “including the management of any perceived or real conflicts of interest”
- Remuneration in line with requirements for public companies.