EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Ministerial Direction No. 1 of 2013
Issued by authority of the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research
Subject: Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011
Ministerial Direction No. 1 of 2013
Authority
Under subsection 136(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the Act) the Minister may give a direction, by legislative instrument, to TEQSA if the Minister considers that the direction is necessary to protect the integrity of the higher education sector.
In accordance with sections 44 and 54 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the Ministerial Direction No. 1 of 2013 is not subject to disallowance or sunsetting.
Purpose and operation
The purpose of the instrument is to direct TEQSA to undertake a review of initial teacher education courses of study. The Minister considers that the review is necessary to protect the integrity of the higher education sector as it relates to initial teacher education.
TEQSA has the power under section 60 of the Act to undertake quality (including thematic) assessments of an entity’s operations to assess whether there are any quality or systemic issues relating to a particular course of study leading to a particular regulated higher education award.
Consultation
TEQSA was consulted on the timing of the review and the making of the Ministerial Direction.
Further consultation was not undertaken as it was not considered necessary in this case because TEQSA is the only body affected by the making of the legislative instrument.
Commencement
The legislative instrument will commence on the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.