Guidance note - Research requirements for Australian universities - Version 2.1 - 30 April 2024

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Concise TEQSA guidance note outlining research requirements for providers seeking or maintaining status as an “Australian University” under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. It explains that TEQSA assesses research quality under relevant TEQSA Act provisions, sets benchmark standards for world-standard and national-standing research, and details transitional research obligations by timeframes (5 and 10 years). It also clarifies how research quality indicators relate to Fields of Education and Fields of Research, and emphasizes non-prescriptive interpretation and compliance risk awareness.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Research requirements for Australian Universities

Governance and scope

Benchmark standards for research quality

Transitional research requirements

Indicators of research quality

Guidance note: Research requirements for Australian universities Version 2.1 (30 April 2024) TEQSA’s guidance notes are concise documents designed to provide high-level, principles-based guidance on interpretation and application of specific standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 . They also draw attention to other interrelated standards and highlight potential risks to compliance. They do not introduce prescriptive obligations. The definitive instrument that sets out providers’obligations in delivering higher education remains the Threshold Standards as written by the Higher Education Standards Panel. In late 2022, TEQSA consulted stakeholders with a draft version of Research Requirements for Australian Universities and considered all feedback. This guidance note was finalised on 30 April 2024. The purpose and intent of the guidance note about research requirements is to support providers who aspire to enter and remain within the Australian University provider category ensure they undertake research at the level and depth required for Australian Universities. For the full list of guidance notes and resources, please see the TEQSA website. ! 1. Research requirements for Australian Universities The undertaking of research that leads to new knowledge and original creative endeavour, together with research training, represents a fundamental and defining feature for any higher education provider (provider) seeking status as an ‘Australian University’. This guidance note focusses on the requirements specifically applying to Australian Universities and the quality and quantity of research that is undertaken at an institutional level.1 In accordance with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) s59A(1), the quality of research undertaken by a provider must be considered by TEQSA if the provider is: • applying under section 18 for registration in the Australian University category • applying under section 38 to change to the Australian University category • currently in the Australian University category. Standards B1 .3.16-19 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Threshold Standards), set threshold levels for the breadth and quality of research for a provider in the ‘Australian University’ category. The ‘benchmark standards’ for research quality are: • research that is world standard measured using best practice indicators, and/or (B1.3.19a) • research of national standing in fields specific to Australia, in the case of research that is not easily captured by existing standard indicators (B1 .3.19b). Providers registered in a category using the title ‘university’before the 2021 Threshold Standards came into effect For any provider registered in the ‘Australian University’ category after the Threshold Standards 2021 came into force on 1 July 2021 and registered immediately prior to that date in a provider category permitting the use of the word ‘university’, there are two transitional research requirements (B3 . 2):2 • Within 5 years, providers must undertake research that meets one or both benchmark standards for research quality and leads to the creation of new knowledge and original creative endeavour in: • 30%, or at least three, broad Fields of Education in which the provider delivers courses of study (whichever is greater), or • (for universities with a specialised focus) all broad Fields of Education for which the provider has authority to self-accredit (B1 .3.17). 1. TEQSA’s guidance note on Research and Research Training provides more detailed guidance on these areas in relation to Part A of the Threshold Standards. 2. The provider categories that permitted the use of the word ‘university’ before the Threshold Standards (2021) commenced on 1 July 2021 were: ‘Australian University’, ‘Australian University College’, ‘Australian University of Specialisation’, ‘Overse

FAQs

What is the purpose of TEQSA’s guidance note on research requirements?

It supports providers aspiring to enter and remain within the Australian University provider category by clarifying the level and depth of research required.

Which benchmark standards are used to measure research quality?

The benchmarks include world-standard research using best practice indicators and, where research is not easily captured by standard indicators, research of national standing in fields specific to Australia.

What are the transitional research requirements for providers registered in the Australian University category before 1 July 2021?

Within 5 years, providers must undertake research meeting one or both benchmark standards in 30% (or at least three) broad Fields of Education, or all such fields for specialized-focus universities with authority to self-accredit.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys