Faculty Equivalence Policy

Secretary, Learning Teaching and Research Committee

This policy is written to ensure compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 and the TEQSA Guidance Note Equivalence of professional experience to academic qualifications. The Standards and Guidance Note specify that academic teaching staff must be qualified at least one AQF level above the course that students are enrolled in, or have equivalent relevant academic, professional, or practice-based experience in lieu of the formal qualifications.

To outline how faculty equivalence is determined for ensuring staff with teaching roles hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at least one level higher than is awarded for the course.
(HESF 3.2.2; 3.2.3c and 3.2.4).

This policy applies all Higher Education coursework delivery staff whether employed by the College or a Third-Party Provider.

Faculty Member – can be tenured or casual academic staff.

Eastern requires that any Faculty Member assigned to design a unit of study hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at least one Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level higher than the highest qualification awarded for the course (AQF n+1). These Faculty Members are responsible for designing unit learning outcomes, content for delivery, and assessments, and are authorized to deliver the unit and assess student performance.

Eastern expects all Faculty Members who teach its units to hold a cognate qualification at least one AQF level above the level of the course in which they are teaching.

Eastern recognises that professionally experienced staff are critical to providing a rich and career-oriented learning environment, and that relevant professional experience and skills may complement academic credentials when determining the suitability of an individual to teach students at a specific level. Where a Faculty Member does not hold the requisite qualification for a given course level, a formal assessment must be undertaken using the Professional Equivalence Assessment Form. This assessment is conducted by the Course Coordinator and the Dean of Studies prior to the Faculty Member commencing teaching duties.

The assessment must document the specific rationale for the equivalence determination based on the guidelines in this policy. The formal assessment may find that:

• Equivalency is permitted for a period of up to three years;
• Equivalency is permitted only under supervision for a period of twelve months; or
• Equivalency is not demonstrated.

If equivalency is permitted under supervision, the appointed supervisor, who must meet the AQF n+1 standard, will provide guidance and oversight in accordance with the Supervision section of this policy.

Limits of Professional Equivalence: Professional equivalence may only ever be used to provide one level of equivalence to meet the AQF n+1 requirement. Consequently, a Faculty Member must, at a minimum, hold a formal qualification at the same AQF level as the highest course award into which they are teaching.

Shared Units: Where a single unit of study is included in multiple courses at different AQF levels, the qualification and equivalence requirements for the Faculty Member relate to the highest level course award in which that unit is situated

Evidence to determine equivalency may include leadership in the development of professional standards; performing a role that requires high order judgement and the provision of expert advice, or having roles at a senior level; managing significant projects in the field; testimonials; awards or other recognition that acknowledges leadership or expertise in the field of education; contributions in the field of study through participation in advisory boards and professional networks; having peer reviewed publications in the field of study or other publications such as books and reports; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers.

The following table sets the expectations regarding equivalency unless subsequently excepted as listed after the table.

The Course Coordinator in conjunction with the Dean of Studies are responsible for the appointment of Faculty Members under this policy and must be satisfied that the academic qualifications and professional experience or practice-based experience and expertise will provide the appropriate level of skills, knowledge, and application of skills and knowledge relevant to the learning outcomes of the unit to be delivered.

Occasional guest lecturers are exempted from these requirements but must bring knowledge and expertise suitable to the level of the unit.

Tutors who tutor for units developed by someone with the appropriate level qualifications should have qualifications to the same level as the course being taught, appropriate professional experience and any relevant professional registration. Tutors must be under the guidance and oversight of a Faculty member who meets the standard.

Practicum supervisors (internal or external) who assess workplace integrated learning but do not have the required AQF level qualification must have a Higher Education award in the discipline being assessed plus 5 years full time equivalence of professional experience or practice-based experience and expertise, in the last 10 years.

Supervision 

Any Faculty Member appointed under this Faculty Equivalence Policy subject to supervision must be guided and overseen by another academic who meets the required standard (HESF 3.2.4).

Guidance and oversight in this context must include observation, guidance, and monitoring as set out below:

Observation  

• Observation of at least one teacher-directed learning session per semester for the first two semesters/study periods of the Faculty member’s teaching in any unit field.
  • Additional observation will occur where a need to improve teaching practice is identified either through observation or the monitoring set out below.

Guidance  

• Meeting with the Faculty member to facilitate reflection on the observed delivery and to provide feedback that informs teaching practice.
  • Review the Unit Outline and provide constructive feedback before they are issued to the students.

Monitoring  

• Review the marks and grades awarded by the Faculty member for assessment tasks and address any concerns. Review student feedback on the Unit on the Faculty member’s performance.

• The academic providing oversight will keep a record of notes that concisely describe the observation, guidance, and monitoring set out above and any outcomes of the process. Such records will be provided to the relevant Head/Dean of School for subsequent reporting to the Academic Standards and Risks Committee.

Quality Assurance  

Any teaching appointments made under this Faculty Equivalence Policy will be reported by the Dean of Studies to the Academic Standards and Risks Committee (ASR) including the rationale for such appointments and of supervision arrangements in place.

Once the supervision period has ended the Course Coordinator shall report on the effectiveness of the supervision arrangements to the ASR, and a formal reassessment of the Faculty Member as described above shall be conducted prior to any further delivery.