Governance & Accreditation

Accreditation

TEQSA has renewed the registration of Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd in the category of Institute of Higher Education, for a period of seven years until 26 May 2028 (maximum allowable period).

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that Collarts continues to meet the Provider Registration and Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards).

Collarts is also approved to provide access to:

The Australian FEE-HELP – Study Assist Student Loans Scheme, which entitles domestic students at approved providers to apply for government assistance to fund their studies, and
International student visas via institutional recognition on the Commonwealth Register of Institution and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) that enables students from overseas to study in Australia, CRICOS Provider Code 03392K The Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd

Corporate history

Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd (Collarts) in was first established in Melbourne in 2010 with the acquisition and renaming of AusMusic ABN 96 082 799 282, originally founded in 1993.

To further expand course offerings in creative arts education, Collarts acquired the Mercer School of Interior Design in 2017 and The Melbourne Fashion Institute in 2019.

View the Collarts Constitution

Governance model

Campus operations, quality assurance, curriculum development, student recruitment and support services, teaching, specialist course delivery and assessment are managed via Corporate and Academic Board reporting, the Managing Director (with designated accountability as Chief/Principal Executive Officers for reporting purposes) work in conjunction with the Dean of Collarts to provide the necessary executive conduit for strategic, academic and operational accountability.

In this way, the integrity of the corporate and academic governance and regulatory compliance of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 is reliably monitored and maintained.

View the Collarts Governance Chart

Board of Directors

Referred to as the 'Corporate Board'.

Responsibilities

The Corporate Board is responsible for the overarching governance and performance of the corporate affairs of the College, operating in accordance with all relevant Australian legislation and regulations.

List of members of the Collarts Corporate Board

To facilitate normal business relating to academic governance, risk management, academic management and College administration in line with regulatory compliance, the Corporate Board judiciously delegates authority and holds to account other boards, committees, working parties and individuals.

Regular academic and non-academic activity and operational progress reporting ensures such delegations function efficiently by enabling the Corporate Board to monitor and review the ongoing effectiveness of the:

• Academic Board – held responsible for the maintenance of academic standards and quality through impartial oversight and determination of all matters pertaining to the academic affairs of the College. Formal recommendations and advice are given to the Corporate Board in respect of academic policy and procedure improvement and implementations, and the conferral of awards
• Risk Committee – obliged to provide timely advice and recommendations to the Corporate Board on the occurrence, implications and management of risk-related circumstances, actions and mitigation strategies at the College. Monitoring and judgement are based on critical evaluation of an up-to-date Risk Assessment Matrix and Register and ongoing review of the efficacy of College Risk Management Policy implementation, including attention to the risk of noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• CEO – exercising executive authority for reporting purposes and official signatory of the College, held accountable for diligent management and oversight of the efficient, effective, comprehensive and compliant academic and operational administration of the College.
• Chief Operating Officer – responsible for ensuring the ongoing reliability of accurate and diligent financial accounting and fulfilment of all fiduciary management and reporting obligations of the College. The Finance and Infrastructure Committee works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and CEO and is responsible for budget oversight with a focus on areas of significant financial commitment.

Financial standing

A copy of Collarts statement of financial standing including the Directors declaration and auditors opinion, can be found here.

Tuition assurance

Tuition assurance is provided through Tuition Protection Service (TPS), an Australian Government Scheme. Collarts has current coverage under the TPS.

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an initiative of the Australian Government to assist international students accessing a VET Student Loan (VSL) or FEE-HELP loan, whose education providers are unable to fully deliver their course of study. The TPS ensures that these students are able to either:

• Complete their studies in another course or with another education provider or
• Receive a refund of their unspent tuition fees (international students) or a re-credit of their loan for open units of study (VSL and HELP)

Learn more about the Tuition Protection Service.

Process for lodging a complaint

All students, prospective students, staff and all other parties to Collarts are entitled to access the grievance (complaints) process.

The Collarts framework for dealing with grievance matters (academic and non-academic) is broken down into four stages of resolution designed to process and determine complaints, grievances and appeals in a timely manner, with fairness and protection for all parties concerned:

• Stage 1: Informal approach to the person directly involved
• Stage 2: Lodging a formal grievance with the Office of the Registrar
• Stage 3: Lodging an internal appeal to the Appeals Committee
• Stage 4: Making an external appeal to an External Reviewer

Refer to the Grievance and Appeals Policy (academic and non-academic) located in the Policies section.