acpet’s higher education benchmarking system

A new member initiative, the ACPET Higher Education benchmarking system, will be available for Member use from 5 July 2010.

The benchmarking system allows ACPET Higher Education members to benchmark against other ACPET members in a manner that does not compromise commercial sensitivities and with the knowledge that all data that is provided will be managed by an independent body in a safe and secure manner

The benchmarking system has been developed under the auspices of ACPET’s Higher Education sub-committee of the National Board and has been refined following consultations with the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). ACPET engaged Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, one of the world’s leading professional services organisations, to build the benchmarking system. A primary reason why Deloitte was the successful bidder was for their proven track record in designing benchmarking systems for a variety of industries.

The benchmarking system specifically relates to the requirements for the registration of non self accrediting higher education institutions and the accreditation of their courses (relating to the National Protocols A and B). In December 2009 AUQA released a report A Review of the First Ten NSAI Audit Reports, this reported noted ‘NSAIs are encouraged to obtain external validation of performance through appropriate benchmarking’. This sentiment is further highlighted in the AUQA’s paper: Academic Governance and Quality Assurance: Good practice for NSAI’s, March 2010. ACPET’s benchmarking tool ensures that ACPET members are able to meet governance requirements and importantly the benchmarking system is a mechanism for Members to drive self improvement in the delivery of quality education.

The system will be open for data input from 5 July 2010 for a two week period. After the ‘window’ has closed Members can expect to receive benchmarking reports in around 15 days. The benchmarking system will allow Members to benchmark against all other contributors at an institutional level.

The cost to Members to participate and receive a benchmarking report will be $500 +GST per report. The system is an online tool, with all data submitted online and reports provided to Members via email in a PDF format.

The system has been designed so that over time longitudinal benchmarking data can be reported, but importantly the system will also be able to keep pace with change in the sector and the associated benchmarking requirements. One notable instance of this change is the impending establishment of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and any new regulatory requirements that may form following TEQSA’s establishment.
The Benchmarking system information sheet has further information on the system’s metrics.

To register to use the system or further information please contact ACPET’s Manager of Policy and Research, Ben Vivekanandan, ben [dot] vivekanandan [at] acpet [dot] edu [dot] au (by email) or on 03 9412 5912.