Choosing an online course can feel risky if you’re not sure if the qualification is legitimate or recognised. So, what does accreditation actually mean? And how can you know the online course you choose will get you the right accreditation for your future career?
Most online university courses in Australia are accredited, as long as they’re delivered by a TEQSA-approved institution. Here’s how accreditation works and how to check any course before you enrol so you can be confident your chosen course is right for you!
Charles Sturt is a TEQSA-accredited institution so any online course you decide to take with us will result in qualifications backed by recognised quality and standards that your future employer will value. You can explore our accredited courses and find one that inspires you.
What is accreditation?
In a nutshell, accreditation assures students, parents, and employers that an institution meets clear quality standards. It shows that programs are credible and held to a recognised level of excellence.
Accreditation serves a few important functions, for example:
- Quality assurance: Verification that educational institutions and programs maintain a certain level of quality. This includes curriculum, faculty qualifications, teaching methods, resources and student support services.
- Credibility: Accreditation provides a mark of extra legitimacy. It indicates to students, employers, and other stakeholders – such as parents – that the education being offered meets industry standards and is recognised by relevant authorities.
- Continuous improvement: Accredited institutions have to participate in regular evaluations and improvements to maintain their accreditation status. This creates a culture of ongoing education quality.
A formal process of evaluation and recognition is carried out by authorised agencies. These agencies assess the quality and standards of educational institutions and courses.
The process typically involves a self-assessment by the institution, a comprehensive evaluation by external reviewers from the accrediting body, and a review of the institution’s self-study report and supporting documentation. Accrediting agencies evaluate various aspects of the institution, including its mission, governance, faculty qualifications, student outcomes and resources.
If you want to learn more about accreditation or find out if your course is accredited, you can contact our support team.
How does accreditation work in Australia?
Before an Australian university can offer degree programs, it must obtain institutional accreditation from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). This process involves a comprehensive assessment of the university’s governance, management, resources and academic policies to ensure it can maintain high-quality education and student support services.
There are three main Australian-approved accrediting bodies that ensure educational standards are high:
| 1. TEQSA: The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent statutory verification body and authority. It registers and assesses the performance of education providers in alignment with the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| 2. ASQA: The Australian Skills Quality Authority is the national accreditation body for Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) accredited sector. |
| 3. AQF: The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is Australia’s national policy for regulating and standardising Australian education and training package qualifications. |
A TEQSA accreditation applies to all programs an institution offers – both on campus and online. So, if a university is accredited by TEQSA, it means that all of its online courses are accredited.
The good news is that Charles Sturt is a TEQSA accredited institution, so any course you choose with us is already approved!
How to check a course is accredited
In case you want to check for yourself, we’ve got you! To help find out if your course is accredited, use any of these methods.
| Check the provider on the TEQSA register |
| Look for a mention of AQF-recognised qualifications |
| Check the relevant professional body’s website (certain professions only – like the Psychology Board of Australia) |
Are online courses accredited by professional bodies?
In a word, sometimes.
Degrees in some fields of study have additional accreditation from relevant professional bodies or associations. These bodies assess whether graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to practice in their respective professions.
Charles Sturt has accreditation with more than 35 professional bodies. Here are just a few of them:
- Australian Association of Social Workers
- Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
- World Customs Organisation
Some degrees may not have professional accreditation, but that doesn’t mean they have applied for it and failed the assessment. Often, there simply isn’t a relevant national organisation that oversees standards in that field.
If we think about, say, accountancy, we can see how as a profession it needs common standards and consistent application of knowledge. This ensures fairness, accuracy and compliance with the law. In contrast, take digital media. It is all about crafting unique, creative stories. So standardisation is not really applicable. In these sorts of study areas, as long as the online degree comes from an accredited institution, you’re good to go.
Are online courses recognised by employers?
Accreditation by a professional body is certainly a good sign in the eyes of employers. However, employers will regard any course from an accredited education provider – such as Charles Sturt – highly, as the institution has to meet TEQSA standards.
The qualification that an online student receives when they graduate from their course is identical to that received by an on-campus student. It is only the method of study that is different.
What’s more, with the growth – and growing acceptance – that remote work is a facet of the modern workplace that’s here to stay, employers recognise the value of remote learning experiences and the self-discipline required to succeed in such programs. The emphasis online study puts on the qualities of self-sufficiency, commitment and dedication are some of the key soft skills that employers look for.
You can explore a range of accredited degrees with Charles Sturt, like the 100% online Bachelor of Laws degree.
The benefits of online study
More than half of our students completed their courses online in 2025 –that’s over 24,000 people balancing work, life and study, around the country.
In case you are unsure about what benefits online study can give you, we have put together a list of benefits we think makes online study so great!
1. Self-paced
Online study allows you to complete the course in your own time, and at your own pace. You can design your own timetable that suits your life outside of university. The flexibility that online study provides is perfect if you want – or need – to keep working while you upskill. It’s also ideal for parents, and for those returning to study after an extended time away and who want to ease themselves back in at their own pace.
2. Carefully reviewed curriculum
Our curriculums are tailored and reviewed regularly to ensure academic quality, professional accreditation, and alignment with industry needs. Charles Sturt’s accredited online courses provide you with a workforce ready education, giving you the best opportunity to get your dream job after you finish your studies.
3. Study from anywhere
Online courses make learning accessible. If you can’t – or don’t want to – relocate to a university campus, that shouldn’t prevent you from getting the qualification you want. Online study means you don’t have to. It gives you the geographical freedom to complete your degree from your bedroom to your favourite coffee shop, or anywhere in between.
4. Qualified instructors
Online courses at Charles Sturt give you access to the exact same recourses that an on-campus student would receive. Your courses will be run by our qualified academic staff, who you will be able to contact with any questions and concerns you have. Just like speaking face-to-face after class!
Online study with Charles Sturt is the best way to ensure you are gaining an accredited education from leading professions, from wherever you work best. While also being able to multitask other responsibilities such as working or caring for your family.
What happens if I take an unaccredited online course?
Studying an unaccredited online course will leave you with a qualification that may not be beneficial for your future career advancement. While any kind of upskilling is advantageous to your development, an unaccredited course does not give your future employer assurance that you can meet the standards or quality they require.
Studying an accredited online course with Charles Sturt gives your future employer confidence that you already have the skills and level of knowledge that meets Australian requirements in a range of different career areas.
Study with Australia’s most experienced online university
More students choose to study online with Charles Sturt than any other university in Australia.1 More than half of our students study online, and you can join them!
Study online with us and you have everything at the click of a mouse: lectures, tutorials, recordings, assessments and resources. And you can join online social spaces to connect with your classmates. IT support comes as standard. And you can access free software, including Microsoft Office 365, as well as our full digital library.
FAQs
How can I verify accreditation of an online course?
There are three ways you can verify accreditation for a course.
- Check the provider on the TEQSA register
- Look for a mention of AQF-recognised qualifications
- Check a professional body’s website, like the Psychology Board of Australia (this will only be available for certain professions)
To save you the time, Charles Sturt is a TEQSA-accredited institution. So any online course you decide to take with us will result in qualifications backed by recognised quality and standards.
Will employers value an online accredited course the same as in-person study?
Yep! The qualification that an online student receives when they graduate from their course is identical to that received by an on-campus student. It is only the method of study that is different. Meaning you can study from your couch and get the exact same qualification as an on-campus student!
What’s the difference between accredited and non-accredited online courses?
Accredited courses are approved by TEQSA, which means the course meets a certain level of quality and standard of excellence. Completing an accredited course means your future employers can be assured you have a certain level of education that meets standards set by your industry leaders.
Non-accredited courses can provide you with skills and knowledge, but they are not recognised by national standards. Therefore employers cannot be confident you will meet the demands of your chosen field.
Can international students benefit from Australian-accredited online courses?
The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) is the official register of all Australian education providers that are permitted to offer courses to students studying in Australia on student visas.
If you are an international student looking to study with us, you can explore our CRICOS approved courses and be assured you are gaining a high-quality education that will help you gain the skills and knowledge to meet the demand of your chosen field.
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