• Section 1 - Preamble
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Policy
• Quality Factors
• Quality Assurance and Enhancement
• Section 5 - Non-Compliance

Section 1 - Preamble

(1) Charles Darwin University (’the University’, ‘CDU’) is committed to ensuring quality and excellence in the provision of higher and vocational education. The Educational Quality and Excellence Framework is founded on four quality factors that ensure excellence in the University’s provision of education.

Section 2 - Purpose

(2) This policy defines the Educational Quality and Excellence Framework for monitoring the quality of:

1. award and non-award higher and vocational education; and
2. student learning experiences and outcomes (learning, teaching and assessment).

Section 3 - Scope

(3) This policy applies to all organisational units, all staff and all functions of the University, including third party partners, at all locations.

Section 4 - Policy

Quality Factors

(4) The Educational Quality and Excellence Framework is based on four quality factors.

1. Governance: The Educational Quality and Excellence Framework is governed by University Council (strategic governance), Academic Board (academic governance) and the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee (management) to ensure that quality assurance and enhancement is supported through monitoring and reporting against the University's Comprehensive Reporting Framework.
2. Regulation: The Educational Quality and Excellence Framework is underpinned by the:
   1. Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021;
   2. VET Quality Framework, including;
      1. Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015;
      2. Fit and Proper Person Requirements;
      3. Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements;
   3. Australian Qualifications Framework 2013;
   4. Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act);
   5. ELICOS Standards 2018; and
   6. National Standards for Foundation Programs.
3. Quality Products and Services: The process of planning and reviewing educational products (courses and units) and services with stakeholders such as students, employers, industry and funding agencies is an integral part of the Educational Quality and Excellence Framework.
4. Quality Learning Experiences and Outcomes: The Educational Quality and Excellence Framework requires the development, monitoring and review of policies and procedures to ensure that quality learning experiences and outcomes are at the core of all educational provision.

Quality Assurance and Enhancement

(5) Educational quality and excellence at CDU is achieved through an employee-centred approach to training and a student-centred approach to learning, teaching and assessment which is supported by quality assurance and enhancement policies, procedures and processes.

(6) Quality assurance policies, procedures and processes ensure that educational provision complies with all legislative and regulatory requirements.

(7) Quality enhancement policies, procedures and processes support excellence in educational provision/delivery through the cycle of continuous improvement across the student lifecycle: Plan, Design, Implement and Review. This cycle allows for organisational learning from which the University examines its performance and improves and innovates.

(8) Judgements about performance will be evidence-based and externally referenced.

Section 5 - Non-Compliance

(9) Non-compliance with Governance Documents is considered a breach of the Code of Conduct - Employees or the Code of Conduct - Students, as applicable, and is treated seriously by the University. Reports of concerns about non-compliance will be managed in accordance with the applicable disciplinary procedures outlined in the Charles Darwin University and Union Enterprise Agreement 2022 and the Code of Conduct - Students.

(10) Complaints may be raised in accordance with the Complaints and Grievance Policy and Procedure - Employees and Complaints Policy - Students.

(11) All staff members have an individual responsibility to raise any suspicion, allegation or report of fraud or corruption in accordance with the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and Whistleblower Reporting (Improper Conduct) Procedure.