The Australian Qualifications Framework

What is the Australian Qualifications Framework?

The Australian Qualifications Framework (commonly known as the AQF) is a unified system of national qualifications in schools, vocational education and training (TAFEs and private providers) and the higher education sector (mainly universities).

The qualifications are:

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education;
Certificate I;
Certificate II;
Certificate III;
Certificate IV;
Diploma, Advanced Diploma;
Associate Degree;
Bachelor Degree;
Vocational Graduate Certificate;
Vocational Graduate Diploma;
Graduate Certificate;
Graduate Diploma;
Masters Degree;
Doctoral Degree.

For further details please visit the AQF website

AQF Qualifications

The AQF comprises national qualifications issued in:
- the secondary schools sector;
- the vocational education and training sector (TAFE and registered private providers); and
- the higher education sector (mainly universities).
These qualifications are shown below, grouped according to the educational sector which is responsible for their accreditation. You can access further information about a particular qualification by clicking on the links in the table below, or for further information, see the AQF Implementation Handbook (2007) on the AQF website.

AQF Qualifications by Educational Sector

It should be noted that vocational education and training is increasingly provided in the schools sector (VET in Schools) which may be recognised at the appropriate Certificate I - IV level or as credit towards the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Some Certificate I - IV qualifications are also issued in the higher education sector and there is also a vocational education and training pathway to the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma.

Statement of Attainment

(Revised 2007)
A Statement of Attainment is issued by a Registered Training Organisation when an individual has completed one or more units of competency from nationally recognised qualification(s)/courses(s).

AQF Qualifications

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma

Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas are generally designed for specific vocational purposes, either the broadening of skills and knowledge already gained in an undergraduate program, or vocational skills and knowledge in a new professional area.
They typically follow a Bachelor Degree or Advanced Diploma and may also be accessed in part by recognition of prior learning.

Although the duration of programs may vary, the typical requirement is six months of full time study for the Graduate Certificate and twelve months of full time study for the Graduate Diploma.
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma Graduates may enter employment or further education and training as their career path requires.
Here are some examples of possible pathways:

Pathways for Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma Graduates

Graduate Certificate in Natural Resources Management	-Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Management -Master of Applied Science (Natural Resources Management) -PhD of Environmental Studies
Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing	-Master of Arts (Creative Writing)
Graduate Certificate in Agronomy and Farming	-Graduate Diploma of Agronomy and Farming -Master of Agriculture
Graduate Certificate in Mediation	-Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Health Counselling) -Master of Social Science (Counselling)

Further information about qualifications accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework is available at their website (http://www.aqf.edu.au/)