Thematic Reviews: focus on specific themes or key areas within the University, such as teaching quality, research performance, or student wellbeing. There reviews aim to evaluate how effectively ACU is addressing strategic priorities in these areas.

Functional Reviews: assess the efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance of specific administrative or academic functions. These reviews help ensure that processes are aligned with the University's goals and regulatory requirements.

The reviews are essential part of ACU's commitment to achieving its strategic goals. They ensure that all functions and thematic areas are aligned with the University's mission to provide quality education, support student success, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.

Thematic and Functional Reviews are conducted as part of a rolling quality assurance schedule, to ensure that ACU is meeting the minimum standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, and ACU's continued alignment with its strategic priorities, mission and vision.

The purpose of the Reviews is to:

1. build a culture of critical self-reflection and continuous improvement that is evidence-based and benchmarked.
2. ensure alignment with the University's Strategic Direction, Mission and Vision;
3. recognise areas of strength, achievements and performance excellence.
4. identify areas of risk and recommend mitigating strategies.
5. report achievements / progress against identified goals and objectives set by strategic and / or operational plans.
6. assess the University's engagement with its stakeholders.
7. identify areas of improvement and provide recommendations; and
8. explore and assess potential opportunities and future directions.

The Thematic and Functional Reviews Policy governs the organisational unit review, thematic review and desktop review processes at ACU. The general principles of this Policy and the Thematic and Functional Reviews Procedure can be utilised to ensure consistency of approach to quality assurance.

If you believe your Unit could benefit from a thematic or functional review, or if you have any enquiries regarding the review process, please contact the Assurance Unit at assurance@acu.edu.au. The team will work closely with you to determine the appropriate scope and objectives for the review.