During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) identified a need for a two-way dialogue with its regulated community to provide support.
TEQSA has undertaken formal stakeholder consultation on an annual basis since 2015-16 via a general survey of providers and peak bodies. Due to the considerable challenges providers were facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TEQSA elected to expand its focus to gaining deeper insights into stakeholder views through online focus groups with peak bodies representing the sector. The discussion at the focus groups produced a set of detailed findings spanning TEQSA’s approach to case management, risk and engagement, which have informed the development of TEQSA’s 2021-22 corporate plan.
Stakeholders expressed to TEQSA positive feedback about the forum approach, noting that the opportunity for dialogue provided the opportunity for more meaningful and nuanced feedback in comparison to survey questions. TEQSA has committed to the continuation of the forums in future years.