The National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes (the "National Protocols") are a key element of the national quality assurance framework for Australian higher education. They protect the standing of Australian higher education nationally and internationally by assuring students and the community that higher education institutions in Australia have met identified criteria and are subject to appropriate government regulation. The Australian State and mainland Territory Governments and the Australian Government, which have responsibility for managing co-operatively all higher education approval processes, first agreed to the adoption of the National Protocols on 31 March 2000. During 2004 and 2005, an extensive process of consultation led to the further development of the National Protocols. Part 2 of this document includes five Protocols that outline criteria and processes for higher education approvals: (1) Nationally agreed criteria and approval processes for all higher education institutions; (2) Criteria and processes for the registration of non self-accrediting higher education institutions and the accreditation of their higher education course/s; (3) Criteria and processes for awarding self-accrediting authority to higher education institutions other than universities; (4) Criteria and processes for establishing Australian universities; and (5) Criteria and processes for overseas higher education institutions seeking to operate in Australia. Part 3 outlines obligations on Government Accreditation Authorities. A glossary of terms is included. (Contains 4 footnotes.)