Australian universities, even if they deliver courses overseas, remain under TEQSA’s oversight and within the scope of national education standards. They must comply with the Australian Higher Education Standards Framework, which aims to ensure the same quality standards and student experience both inside and outside Australia. From 2026, TEQSA’s new rules will also cover offshore activities. This is why Australian offshore solutions must be built on TEQSA-aligned governance, quality assurance, and compliance.
Are Australian Offshore Campuses Accredited by Australian Education Authorities?
Australia’s education authority, TEQSA, does not separately accredit offshore campuses in the host country. Instead, TEQSA oversees the Australian provider and the programs it delivers, checking whether the provider meets the Higher Education Standards Framework across all its activities, including overseas locations.
Licensing and Accreditation
In many countries, foreign universities must obtain official permission or accreditation to operate. This process may include registering with the local ministry of education, obtaining a foreign investment license, or working with a local partner. Local authorities may set rules regarding the curriculum, language of instruction, and the qualifications of academic staff. It is important for universities to plan these licensing steps in advance and ensure their programs meet all national requirements.
Employment and Immigration
The host country’s labor law applies to the hiring and working conditions of both local staff and foreign academics. Universities are required to comply with local rules on contracts, benefits, termination, and workplace health and safety. In addition, the necessary work permits and visas must be obtained for Australian or other foreign staff. Since Australian employment law may also apply to employees seconded from Australia, in some cases compliance with two different countries’ rules may be required at the same time. Failure to comply with local labor or immigration rules can lead to consequences such as fines, staff deportation, or the closure of the campus, so careful HR planning is very important.
Data Protection and Privacy
Each country has different data privacy rules; for example, the EU applies the GDPR, while different regulations apply in Asia. Universities must manage student and staff personal data in accordance with these rules; this may include obligations such as local data storage, breach reporting, and obtaining explicit consent. The cross-border transfer of data such as transcripts or research data may be restricted or may require additional security measures. Universities should establish policies and processes to store and share student records, employee data, and research information in compliance with local law. Education programs are often subject to cross-border data transfer restrictions, so IT systems and privacy policies must be aligned with the host country’s standards.
Tax, Commercial, and Other Laws
Establishing a campus generally requires the university to be subject to local taxes (such as corporate tax and payroll taxes) and to register as a local business. Rules on foreign investment, currency transactions, or transferring money out of the country may also apply. The campus must comply with commercial law in areas such as building leases, visa processes, or company operations, as well as sector-specific rules in education. Contracts with local partners should be negotiated in a fair, transparent, and careful manner so they do not create issues under Australia’s charity/donation regulations. In some countries, there may be conditions such as requiring foreign universities to operate as non-profits or limiting the number of foreign students. Therefore, it is important to determine the correct legal structure (such as a subsidiary, branch, or joint venture) and plan accordingly.
