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Applying for registration, accreditation or mutual recognition

As of 1 January 2008, a non self-accrediting institution seeking registration as a higher education institution, accreditation of the higher education courses it offers or mutual recognition in a secondary jurisdiction must satisfy the requirements of the new National Guidelines for Higher Education Approval Processes which give effect to the revised 2007 National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes. 

An application for registration, course accreditation or mutual recognition in Western Australia must be prepared against:

1. the following sub-set of the National Guidelines:

Guidelines for the registration of non self-accrediting higher education institutions and the accreditation of their course/s (relating to National Protocols A & B)

and

2. specific State requirements outlined in the:

Western Australian Addendum

(Part B of the addendum specifies requirements for registration on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) that providers must address, where that applies.)

To assist providers and as a more consistent approach across jurisdictions, new national application forms have also been developed.  These forms align with the requirements of Sections 17, 18 and 19 of the National Guidelines (i.e. requirements for Registration, Accreditation and Mutual Recognition).  Where possible, templates have been developed to assist applicants with compilation of the required attachments.

A provider seeking higher education approval must prepare its application by downloading and completing the relevant form(s) and associated templates listed below:

Application Form for Initial Registration as a Non Self-Accrediting Higher Education Institution
Attachment 1.2a template
Attachment 1.4a template
Attachment 7.3a-i template
Attachment 7.3a-ii template
Attachment 7.3a-iii template

Application Form for Accreditation of a Higher Education Course
Attachment 1.2a template
Attachment 2.3a template
Attachment 2.3c template
Attachment 2.8a template
Attachment 3.2a template
Attachment 3.2b template
Attachment 3.3a template
Attachment 4 template

Application Form for Mutual Recognition of a Non Self-Accrediting Higher Education Institution and its Courses in a Secondary Jurisdiction
Attachment 3.1a template
Attachment 3.1b template
Attachment 3.1d template
Attachment 3.1f template
Attachment 5a template
Attachment 5b template
Attachment 5c template

Mutual Recognition of Additional Courses in a Secondary Jurisdiction Application Form
Attachment 2a template
Attachment 2b template
Attachment 2d template
Attachment 4 template

Two original copies of the completed application, including the required attachments and additional evidence as appropriate, must be submitted to the International & Higher Education Regulation Branch of the Department of Education Services

The application must be accompanied by an application fee and a completed Tax Invoice. Full details regarding fees are provided at Part A, section 3.11 of the Western Australian Addendum.

For any enquires regarding the higher education approval process, please contact the International & Higher Education Regulation Branch.