Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00046:section:49
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00046
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 49
Character Range: 78201–80436

49  Accreditation of course of study

Grant of application for accreditation
 (1) Following an application for a course of study to be accredited, TEQSA may accredit the course of study in relation to the applicant if TEQSA is satisfied that:
 (a) the applicant is a registered higher education provider; and
 (b) the course of study meets the Threshold Standards.

Decision on application
 (2) TEQSA must make a decision on the application:
 (a) within 9 months of receiving it; or
 (b) if a longer period is determined by TEQSA under subsection (3)—within that period.
For the purposes of paragraph (a), TEQSA is taken to receive the application when it receives payment of the substantive assessment application fee.

Longer period for decision on application
 (3) If TEQSA is satisfied that, for reasons beyond its control, a decision on the application cannot be made within the period mentioned in paragraph (2)(a), TEQSA may determine a longer period, not exceeding a further 9 months, within which it must make a decision on the application.
 (4) If TEQSA determines a longer period, it must do so not later than 6 weeks before the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (2)(a).
 (5) If TEQSA determines a longer period, TEQSA must, within 7 days of making the determination:
 (a) notify the applicant, in writing, of the determination; and
 (b) give, in writing, the reasons for the determination.

Period of accreditation
 (6) If TEQSA accredits a course of study in relation to a registered higher education provider, TEQSA must also determine the period for which the course of study is accredited. The period must not exceed 7 years, but need not be for the same period for which the provider is registered.
Note 1: The period will end automatically if the provider ceases to be registered as a registered higher education provider (see paragraph 51(2)(a)).
Note 2: Accreditation can be renewed (see section 56).
Note 3: TEQSA may also impose conditions on the accreditation (see subsection 53(1)).
Note 4: The period of accreditation may be extended (see section 57A).

Decision not made
 (7) TEQSA is taken to have rejected the application if a decision is not made within the period applicable under subsection (2).