Further development of the national protocols for higher education approval processes

The National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes were approved by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) on 31 March 2000.  They were designed to ensure consistent criteria and standards across Australia in such matters as the recognition of new universities, the operation of overseas higher education institutions in Australia, and the accreditation of higher education courses to be offered by non self-accrediting providers.  There are five Protocols: Criteria and processes for recognition of universities; Overseas higher education institutions seeking to operate in Australia; The accreditation of higher education courses to be offered by non self-accrediting higher education providers; Delivery arrangements involving other organisations; and Endorsement of courses for overseas students.                                   

The provision of higher education throughout much of the world has traditionally been through the public and not-for-profit private sectors, though recently there has been a significant increase in private for-profit provision.  This report reviews the current National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes, both generally and individually, and leads to a number of recommendations.  It surveys the current situation world-wide regarding higher education regulation, particularly for private universities and provides an international perspective on the issues facing Australia in the context of the Protocols, particularly Protocol 1.  A comparative analysis of the current state and character of the legislation to support the Protocols in all jurisdictions in Australia is also presented.

Preamble and overview process: view HTML    

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