​NSW’s Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) has been officially designated as a higher education provider - a first for a state health entity.

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has named HETI as a registered higher education provider for the maximum registration period of seven years.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner said: “This is a very significant achievement for HETI and I congratulate those who have had a part in it.

“We established HETI almost five years ago to provide leadership to Local Health Districts, Specialty Health Networks and other NSW public health organisations and to train providers in the development of education and training across the NSW public health system.

“It is succeeding in its mission to improve the health of NSW and the working lives of NSW Heath staff through education and training.”

HETI Higher Education will offer two new mental health courses, based on former courses offered by the NSW Institute of Psychiatry (NSWIOP). NSWIOP is in transition to become the mental health portfolio of HETI. This is due to be completed by 1 January 2017.

HETI Higher Education will continue to develop new courses as determined by state-wide health priorities and the education and training needs of NSW Health workforce.

For more information, visit HETI Higher Education.