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Overseas higher education institutions

Introduction
Queensland process and criteria for approval
List of approved overseas providers

Introduction

An overseas higher education institution refers to a university or other higher education provider that is established and operates in a foreign country.

Under the Higher Education (General Provisions) Act 2003, an overseas higher education institution must not operate, confer a higher education award, or advertise it will confer an award in Queensland, without the Minister's approval.

Guidelines for the Approval of Overseas Higher Education Institutions to Operate in Queensland new window 284k provide information on the criteria and process for obtaining approval to operate in Queensland. For the purposes of the application of the Act, operating in Queensland includes:

Representing that the institution operates in or has a connection or association with Queensland; and
Providing in Queensland, in person, any part of the institution's course/s.

These operational characteristics apply to the institution itself or any agent acting on behalf of the institution.

Queensland process and criteria for approval

To gain approval to operate in Queensland, the applicant needs to demonstrate to the Minister that:

The overseas institution is a bona fide higher education institution, legally established in its country of origin;
The course/s to be offered have been properly accredited in the institution's country of origin by an authority that, in the Minister's opinion, is the appropriate authority;
The relationship between the overseas institution and affiliates and agents acting in Queensland on behalf of the overseas institution are appropriate and the agents have the requisite authority from the overseas institution to deliver the course/s proposed to be taught in Queensland;
The course/s are comparable in requirements and learning outcomes to a course at the same level in a similar field to that offered by an accredited Australian provider;
The delivery arrangements, including the proposed arrangements for academic oversight and quality assurance, are comparable to those of accredited Australian providers; and
Appropriate financial and other arrangements exist to permit the successful delivery of the course in Queensland.

Where the standing of the institution's accreditation status in its country of origin is not acceptable to the Minister for Education, the Minister may require the proposed course/s to be offered in Queensland to be subject to a full accreditation process.

Approval by the Minister for the operation of an overseas higher education institution in Queensland, is based on the understanding that, while the teaching will take place through a facility in Queensland, academic oversight and degree conferring authority remains the responsibility of the institution established overseas.

An approved overseas higher education institution recognised as a university by a competent authority for the purpose in its country of origin, is allowed to use the title 'university' in Queensland. However, the institution is not self-accrediting, and approval is only for the delivery of the course/s specified.

Overseas higher education institutions must clearly indicate in marketing materials that the course/s offered lead to an award of the overseas institution, and not to an accredited Australian award. Publications, statements and advertising should describe accurately the provider, including its country of origin, its operations and its approved course/s. Such information should inlcude the expiry date of the approval of course/s. Overseas universities approved to operate in Queensland must not purport to be an Australian university, and all promotional and marketing material should denote the institution is 'not formally recognised as an Australian university'.

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