This page details stakeholder consultations undertaken by the Higher Education Standards Panel.
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Communiqués
During the revision of the Higher Education Standards Framework, the Higher Education Standards Panel issued Communiqués to the Higher Education sector periodically to keep stakeholders informed about the Panel's work and the Panel's progress with the review of the Standards. The Communiqués were issued between 2012-2014.
Improving retention, completion and success in higher education
In November 2016 the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham asked the Panel to examine Australian Higher Education completion and attrition to ensure that students have the best chance of successfully completing their enrolled units, courses and qualifications. A consultation process was undertaken with a final response to the findings.
- Response to recommendations on Improving Retention, Completion and Success in Higher Education
- Discussion Paper on Improving Retention, Completion and Success in Higher Education
- Submissions received by the HESP to its discussion paper Improving Retention, Completion and Success in Higher Education
- HESP final Report on Improving Retention, Completion and Success in Higher Education
Improving the transparency of higher education admissions
In April 2016, the Minister for Education and Training asked the Higher Education Standards Panel to advise him on options to improve the transparency of higher education student admissions policies, while minimising regulatory impact. The Minister intended to improve the accessibility and comparability of information about the diversity of course entry pathways by ensuring greater transparency of admissions processes and standards. He was concerned about the capacity of some students to complete their courses. The Minister asked the Panel for advice on what more needs to be done. A consultation process was undertaken with a final response to the findings.
- HESP Consultation on the Transparency of Higher Education Admissions Processes
- HESP Final Report on Improving the transparency of higher education admissions
- HESP submissions on Improving the transparency of higher education admissions
- Australian Government response to the HESP report on improving the transparency of higher education admissions
Documents for Comment
The Higher Education Standards Panel made three calls for comments to the sector to seek feedback on issues relating to the Higher Education Standards Framework. Details of each call for comments are provided below.
Call for Comment Number Three (April 2014)
Proposed Higher Education Standards Framework
In April 2014, the Higher Education Standards Panel invited feedback on the complete proposed revised standards Framework (except in relation to Provider Category Standards) which incorporated all of the feedback from previous consultations. The Panel received 87 submissions in response to the Call for Comment three.
Call for Comment Number Two (May 2013)
Call for comment number two regarding revised standards was released in May 2013 and focused on specific standards for research and research training (including learning outcomes) which were nominated as part of the group of Non-Threshold Standards in the existing Framework. The Panel received 71 submissions in response to the call for comment two.
The Panel released a response to the feedback on the second Call for Comment in Communique 9.
Downloads
- HES Call for Comment Number 2 & Discussion Paper - May 2013
- HES Draft Standards for Research - May 2013
- HES Draft Standards for Research Training - May 2013
- HES Draft Standards for Learning Outcomes (Research Training) - May 2013
Call for Comment Number One (March 2013)
Draft Standards for Course Design and Learning Outcomes
Call for comment number one was released in March 2013 and focused on the proposed structure and style of proposed revised standards including the use of reference points, using draft standards on course design and learning outcomes to test the Panel's approach. The Panel received 72 submissions in response to the call for comment one.
The Panel released an initial response to the feedback on the first call for comment in Communique 8.
Further information
- HES Call for Comment Number 1 & Discussion Paper - March 2013
- HES Draft Standards for Course Design (Coursework) - March 2013
- HES Draft Standards for Learning Outcomes (Coursework) - March 2013
Please note: The Panel is an advisory body to the Minister and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). It does not regulate the Higher Education sector. Please continue to liaise with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in relation to TEQSA's interpretation and application of the current Standards for regulatory purposes.