Private Higher Education in Australia - an Overview Adrian McComb Executive Officer – COPHE Tony Heywood Registrar – Ca

1. Private Higher Education in Australia - an OverviewAdrian McCombExecutive Officer – COPHETony HeywoodRegistrar – Campion College

2. Defining Private Higher Education? • Non – Self Accrediting Institutions- public/government ownership common- accredited in multiple jurisdictions • Private Universities (2) • Theological and Faith Based Institutions • For Profit/Not for Profit • Professional/Industry Accreditation • International Student focused-Pathways/foundation studies • Vet providers • Hotel and Tourism Schools

3. Private Higher Education in Australia Some Historical Background • Seminaries and Theological Colleges- original HE in Australia- Uni legislation in the 1850’s and 1880 • Other Longstanding Institutions - Avondale College 1897 - Marcus Oldham College- ACPE established 1917 as Swords Club • Technical and Business Colleges • Higher Education in Australia Predominantly Public • 1988 Legislation

4. Introducing COPHE • Informally Established in 1999, Incorporated in 2001 • Policy Objectives- Equity of Access in Student choiceand Loan availability- Quality of Outcomes- Diversity and Responsiveness to Change- Encouragement of Private Investment in Higher Education- Competition is welcomed

5. Members Australian College of Applied Psychology Australian College of Physical Education   Australian Institute of Music   Australian Lutheran College   Avondale College   Bond University   Christian Heritage College   KvB Institute of Technology   Leo Cussen Institute   Marcus Oldham College   Moore Theological College   Perth Bible College   Shaftson Tabor College Adelaide Tahlee Bible College   Wesley Institute  Consortia Australian College of Theology(24 member institutions) Brisbane College of Theology (3 members) Christian College of Higher Education (2 members) Associate Members Campion College Macquarie Christian Studies Institute Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Thompson Education Direct COPHE Member Institutions

6. Higher Education Enrolments 2000 Pub Domestic 599878 Public Overseas 95607 Private Domestic 14782 Private Overseas 2040 Data Public Sector – DEST Private – COPHE estimates based on a limited DEST EIP Funded data collection in 2000

7. Other Aspects of Private Sector For the “Unambiguously Higher Ed” Sector • Fee Revenues estimated $90-100 Million • Institutions Predominantly Not-for-profit • 31 Approved as HEPS under HESA 2003 • 100+ on AQF register • Many Faith Based Institutions

8. Private HE Features • Small Institutions • Isolated until recently • Now engaging with broader issues- QA- compliance in admin and reporting- consumer protection • Distinctive Missions • Scholarly Ethos • Average Annual Tuition Fee in 2000 was $7400 but will have increased significantly this year

9. Impact of HESA 2003 Legislation For Commonwealth Approved HEPS: • Fee HELP Available to Students- U/G Students pay a 20% Loading- $50,950 lifetime limit • Limited Funded Places for NPP’s (Nursing and Teacher Education) - Only Notre Dame and three other Institutions allocated places (all were filled) - Institutions must comply with CGS requirements

10. Regulation • Imperatives to improve regulation (Greenwich University etc) • MCEETYA National Protocols • State Higher Education Guidelines • Self-accrediting and non-self-accrediting institutions

11. Campion College Australia

12. Campion College Australia • Australia’s first Liberal Arts College • First intake in 2006 • Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts • The development of Western culture; integrated curriculum; Catholic context • Future postgraduate • Education; business; journalism……

13. Registration and Accreditation • Institutional Details • Legal identity • Governance • Org structure • Financial Plans, Strategic Plans

14. Registration and Accreditation • Course Information • Overview, rationale • Course name, duration, AQF level • Objectives, admission, RPL • Content and structure, subject outlines • Assessment, workload, delivery methods • Academic staff, professional development, recruitment

15. Registration and Accreditation • Educational & HR • Support staff • Accommodation and Facilities • Library • Student Support Services • Code of Conduct • Resourcing (enrolment numbers, fees)

16. Registration and Accreditation • Quality & Management Systems • Curriculum • Course delivery • Financial/admin infrastructure • Staff processes

17. Federal Regulation • Approval as a Higher Education Provider (HEP) • Allows access to FEE-HELP loans for students • Financial viability and legal status • Quality requirements • Fairness requirements • Stats, compliance • Fee requirements • Privacy

18. Building University Diversity • Paper released by DEST for comment • Follows the ‘Guthrie Report’ • Why of interest to the private HE sector? • COPHE submission • Protocols – preconceptions of what ‘a university’ must be

19. Examples of and Opportunities for Collaboration • Paradigm Education Management System • Development of Quality Audit Capability • DGR Status • Research Linkages • Tuition Assurance

21. The Paradigm System • Secure Access over the Internet via Web Browser • DEST Reporting Compliant • Suitable for Small Institutions with Limited IT Resources • Cost Effective Implementation • Centralised Backup, Help Desk and Support • Multiple Campus and External Provider Support • On Going Development and DEST Compliance – rapid prototyping

22. Issues for Private Providers • Revised MCEETYA Protocols • Cost and Complexity of Compliance • Appropriate Quality Audit • Inadequate Resourcing of State Agencies in Accreditation • Additional NPP’s • Tuition Assurance Requirements • Collaboration with Public Sector

24. Higher Education EnrolmentsUndergraduate and Postgraduate • gh