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Fact SheetUpdate March 200416. A New Accountability FrameworkAccountability is a fundamental aspect of public administration. As large amounts of taxpayers’ funds support the higher education sector, the Australian Government has an obligation to ensure it gets value for the money it spends and to hold the recipients of those funds accountable for their use. Prior to 2004, the annual Educational Profiles process – descriptions of a university’s activities provided by the university in a form approved by the Australian Government Minister – was the main mechanism for ensuring accountability, quality and fairness. From 2004 Profiles will be replaced by a new accountability framework based on a more strategic bilateral engagement with each higher education provider and underpinned by the ‘Institution Assessment Framework’ that clearly articulates the Australian Government’s accountability requirements. This framework will support the Australian Government’s commitment to reduce the amount of reporting required of higher education providers. Structure of the new frameworkThe Institution Assessment Framework (IAF) is founded on the responsibilities of the Australian Government to ensure that the higher education providers it funds are sustainable and deliver the outputs for which they are funded, that their outcomes are of a high quality and that they comply with their legal obligations. The IAF produces an across-the-board assessment of institutional achievements based on quantitative and qualitative data from universities and external sources. The Australian Government’s assessment of a higher education provider will form the basis of strategic bilateral discussions between the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and an individual provider. The data for the assessment are in large part drawn from information already produced by universities, or already collected routinely from providers. The Framework has four principal elements: 1. Organisational SustainabilityThe assessment of organisational sustainability will provide assurance that higher education providers are able to continue delivering the services the Australian Government is funding. It considers: leadership and strategic direction – ensuring that the provider’s strategic direction is clear, appropriate for delivering Commonwealth-funded places/programmes, and achievable; risk management – ensuring that the provider has structures and strategies in place to adequately manage risk; and financial accountability – ensuring that the provider is financially viable. 2. Achievements in higher education provisionThis element assesses the extent to which higher education providers have contributed to meeting the Government’s higher education objectives. It considers: the provision of student places, and the extent to which the provider has met demand; the distribution of places between courses and disciplines; adequacy of student access and support; and research activity, and how this relates to the provider’s mission and particular strengths. 3. Quality of outcomesThe Department’s assessment of quality will draw on a range of quality indicators and processes already used in the sector. These include: the results of the annual Graduate Destination Survey and Course Experience Questionnaire; university entrance scores; student attrition and progress; measures of research productivity and intensity; and findings from the Australian Universities’ Quality Agency’s audits, focusing on outcomes. This quality assessment will be one element of the broader quality assurance arrangements for the sector [see Fact Sheet: Assuring Quality]. 4. ComplianceThe compliance assessment ensures that higher education providers have acquitted their funds (that is, the funds have been used for the purposes for which they have been provided) and that higher education providers have complied with legislative and administrative requirements. Bilateral DiscussionsInformation required under the Institution Assessment Framework will be compiled annually and used systematically in forming the Australian Government’s assessments of higher education providers. Detailed bilateral discussions between DEST and individual higher education providers will occur only biennially unless there is a specific need for additional meetings (for example, if concerns arise from the assessment). Negotiation of Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding will be done for each higher education provider annually through the Funding Agreements [see Fact Sheet: Commonwealth Grant Scheme - Commonwealth Course Contributions]. DEST officers in specific higher education areas, such as equity, quality, and financial analysis will also visit individual higher education providers separately, at least once every two years (or as the need arises), to gain a better understanding of institutional specific issues and to develop useful professional networks. These initiatives will generate closer engagement and greater cooperation with each provider than is possible under the current Profiles arrangements. Contact DetailsMedia inquiries:Virginia Cook Other inquiries:Indhi Emmanuel Email: Backing Australia's Future
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Any comments or
queries should be sent to:
highered@dest.gov.au
Department of Education, Science and Training
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