The Australian Qualification Framework
What is the AQF?
The AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) was created by the Australian Government and it upholds consistency of qualification value throughout the country. It ensures that a consistently high standard of education exists across all education institutions.
The framework is structured as such that the qualifications follow a natural tiered progression. In this way, the AQF ensures that clear regulations are followed so that every qualification is crafted to meet the same standard and level.
Due to this system which is nationally standardised, a clear and fair progression is followed by education institutions, so that students have a clearer pathway through their education and its various levels. If a student moves from one education provider to another, the value and level of their qualifications will always be of a standard that is accepted by all. As well as these full qualifications, the AQF will also offer a Statement of Attainment to reflect when a student achieves only a section of one qualification.
For more information, see: www.aqf.edu.au
| AQF LEVEL | SUMMARY | QUALIFICATION TYPE |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Secondary Certificate of Education | Graduates of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education qualifies individuals with knowledge, skills and values for diverse pathways to further learning, work and effective participation in civic life. | Senior Secondary Certificate of Education |
| level 1 | Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for initial work, community involvement and/or further learning | Certificate I |
| level 2 | Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for work in a defined context and/or further learning | Certificate II |
| level 3 | Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for work and/or further learning | Certificate III |
| level 4 | Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialised and/or skilled work and/or further learning | Certificate IV |
| level 5 | Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for skilled and/or paraprofessional work and/or further learning | Diploma |
| level 6 | Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional and/or highly skilled work and/or further learning | Advanced Diploma Associate Degree |
| level 7 | Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning | Bachelor Degree |
| level 8 | Graduates at this level will have advanced knowledge and skills for professional highly skilled work and/or further learning | Bachelor Honours Degree Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma |
| level 9 | Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning | Masters Degree (Research) Master Degree(Coursework) Masters Degree (Extended) |
| level 10 | Graduates at this level will have systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and/or for professional practice | Doctoral Degree |