Australia’s higher education regulator discontinues corporate-governance guidance note

Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has discontinued its corporate-governance guidance note, according to an update to the regulator’s official guidance index dated Oct 19.

The change affects a document that explains how registered higher education providers can demonstrate compliance with corporate-governance requirements. The guidance covers governing-body responsibilities, institutional accountability, financial sustainability, risk management and oversight of education quality.

However, TEQSA’s public listing does not explain why the note was discontinued or whether a replacement document has been issued. It is therefore unclear whether the change reflects a consolidation of guidance, a revision of regulatory advice or another administrative decision.

The discontinuation should not be interpreted as the removal of corporate-governance obligations for Australian higher education providers.

Regulatory standards remain in force

TEQSA’s corporate-governance guidance note states that such documents provide guidance and are neither definitive nor binding. The regulator identifies the TEQSA Act and the Higher Education Standards Framework as the authoritative instruments for regulatory purposes.

The framework includes requirements concerning corporate governance and institutional monitoring and accountability. These cover the responsibilities of governing bodies, oversight of institutional performance and the systems providers use to identify and manage risks.

The discontinued note had explained how TEQSA may assess evidence of compliance, including governing-body arrangements, institutional policies, financial sustainability and internal monitoring systems.

Its removal from the guidance index does not, by itself, establish that these requirements have changed.

Reason for discontinuation remains unclear

TEQSA consulted stakeholders on corporate-governance guidance in 2024 as part of broader work to improve its guidance notes and support higher education providers in demonstrating regulatory compliance.

The consultation page described the work as an effort to improve the efficiency of regulatory operations and support institutional self-assurance. However, the publicly available information does not establish whether the October 2026 discontinuation resulted from that review.

TEQSA has not explained on the guidance index whether a successor note is planned or whether providers should refer to another document for practical guidance.

The regulator’s clarification will be important in determining whether higher education institutions need to change their internal compliance processes or simply refer to other existing guidance and the applicable standards.