The quality assurance framework for the higher education sector is a series of checks and balances, with responsibilities spread among a range of players.
Courses leading to Australian higher education qualifications can be offered by self-accrediting institutions and non self-accrediting institutions, and non self-accrediting institutions must have their courses approved by State/Territory accrediting authorities. The National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes and supporting legislation are a key element of the national quality assurance framework for higher education. The sector is also protected by independent audits of self-accrediting institutions and accrediting authorities by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA).
Comprehensive information is available at http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/higher_education/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/assuring_quality_in_higher_education/