Federation University Australia is committed to quality assurance and continuous improvement across its federated network of campuses and partner-provider institutions. The Quality Framework describes the approach to quality assurance by embedding principles of good practice in quality management in accordance with the statutory quality standards of its regulatory bodies through a system of mature quality assurance processes, compliance auditing and the capture and implementation of continuous improvement.
The Commonwealth legislative regulatory framework which establishes the minimum requirements for education programs delivered to onshore international students, consists of the ESOS Act 2000, the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018), the ESOS Regulations 2019, the ESOS (Registration Charges) Act 1997, and the ESOS (TPS Levies) Act 2012. The Quality Framework outlines the University’s approach to compliance with the requirements stipulated within these legislative requirements for all University programs delivered onshore to international students holding a student visa.
The University will provide a quality tertiary education experience that inspires its students to succeed, serves its regions and communities, and is international in its outlook and impact.
This policy applies to all organisational units, campuses, staff and functions of the University, inclusive of the entire university community including students and partners of the University located locally, interstate or overseas, and is supported by the University's Strategic Plan.
- Federation University Australia Act 2010
- Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS)
- ESOS Regulations 2019
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (The National Code)
- ESOS (Registration Charges) Act 1997
- ESOS (TPS Levies) Act 2012
The statutory requirements of the following regulatory bodies are adhered to:
- Australia Skills Quality Authority ASQA
- Victorian Registration Qualifications Authority VRQA
- Tertiary Education Quality and StandardsAgency (TEQSA)
- Department of Education; VET Funding Contract
| Term | Definition |
| Academic Board |
The principal academic body of the University whose purpose is twofold: firstly, to provide academic oversight of prescribed academic courses and units of study of higher education and VET in the University; and secondly to provide advice to Council on the conduct and content of those courses and units. Specific responsibilities in the context of this Quality Framework are:
Academic Board is supported in these duties by its Standing Committees. Please refer to http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/academic-board/standing-committees for further detail on these committees. |
| Act | Federation University Australia Act 2010 provides the legislative framework that the University is required to operate under. |
| Benchmarking | The process of measuring and monitoring outcomes against predetermined (usually best practice) standards. |
| Continuous improvement | The ongoing process of change for the purpose of improvement to practices and processes. |
| Council | The Council is the governing authority of the University and is responsible for the direction and superintendence of the University. |
| School | Federation University Australia has a number of Academic Organisational Units - click here for details. |
| Governance | The processes by which the University is controlled and held to account. It encompasses authority, accountability, stewardship, leadership, direct and control exercised in the organisation (Standards Australia AS 8000-2003/Amdt 1-2004). |
| Onshore Students | A person holding an Australian student visa and is defined as an 'Overseas Student' in the ESOS Act. |
| Partner-provider organisation | Educational institution providing courses and units of the University through an approved Education Agreement. |
| Policy | A formal statement of principle that regulates University operations |
| Procedure | Describes the operational processes/steps to be adhered to in order to maintain effective adherence to the prescribed principles outlined in the associated policy. |
| Quality assurance | The program of activities to ensure products and services are of the desired quality. |
| Quality framework | The system in which activities used to carry out Quality Control, Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement are completed at the University. |
| Quality cycle | The cyclic process of planning, quality improvement, quality control, quality and data reporting and quality improvement, including but not limited to benchmarking, audits, reviews and program, course and units review. |
| Regulation | Made by Council under a University Statute to regulate interpretation and implementation of the Statute. |
| Regulator Standards | The Higher Education Standards Framework (TEQSA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority ASQA under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. |
| Standing Committees | Permanent committees established under and reporting to Council -refer http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/academic-board/standing-committees. |
| Statute | The subordinate legislations related to the governance of the internal affairs of the University under the Federation University Australia Act 2010 (as listed in Part 5 Section 29 of the Act). Statutes can only be made, amended or revoked by Council and must be approved by the relevant State Minister with responsibility for tertiary education. A University Statute comes into operation on the day on which the Minister approves it (unless otherwise specified in the Statute). |
Federation University Australia is established under the Federation University Australia Act 2010. Under the Act, the decision making powers of the University lie with Council as its governing body, Academic Board and the Vice-Chancellor. The University is responsible to comply with the statutory requirements as listed under Legislative Context.
|
UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE Council and Standing Committees of Council | |
|
MANAGEMENT/OPERATIONS Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Senior Team (VCST) Operational Leadership (Deans, Heads of Operational Areas, Directors) All employees Students and other members |
ACADEMIC GOVERNANCE Academic Board and Standing Committees of Academic Board |
This tripartite governance structure in which management and academic board contribute to academic decision-making, within the context of Council's overall responsibility and decisions ensures a clear distinction between governance and management responsibilities and clear separation between corporate and academic governance.
The University's quality framework is whole-of-institution, linking strategic principles and strategic directions with planning and best practice in quality management.
| University Principle | Demonstrated through the Quality Framework by: |
| Excellence |
|
| Relevance |
|
| Inclusive |
|
| Empowering |
|
| Innovative and agile |
|
The Office of Governance and Strategy with the support of Policy and Quality Assurance Services actively plans for quality assurance of the University as well as seeking opportunities to enhance best practice through continuous improvement.
Federation University Australia has adopted the Continuous Improvement Cycle of Plan, Do, Review and Improve to drive the process for self-review, reflection, continuous improvement and accountability to assure internal and external accreditation, registration and relevant audits.
Federation University's quality approach is aligned to the relevant regulatory standards, the student lifecycle, and the University's Strategic objectives and outcomes. The University has documented policies and procedures that provide clear instruction on how the Quality Framework is implemented across the University and its Partner Provider teaching locations. Compliance with all regulatory frameworks, is a university-wide effort, commitment and responsibility.
- The Provost (as the Approval Authority) is responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this policy and its accompanying procedure/s.
- The Manager, Quality Assurance Services (as the Document Owner) is responsible for maintaining the content of this policy as delegated by the Approval Authority.
The Quality Framework will be communicated throughout the University via:
- An Announcement Notice via FedNews website and on the 'Recently Approved Documents' page on the 'Policies, Procedures and Forms @ the University' website to alert the university-wide community of the approved Policy.
The Quality Framework will be implemented throughout the University through the following mechanism:
- An Announcement Notice via FedNews website and on the 'Recently Approved Documents' page on the 'Policies, Procedures and Forms @ the University' website to alert the University-wide community of the approved Policy.
Prev
Up
Next