Australian Qualifications Framework
Australia. One country. One qualifications system
The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system.
The AQF allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help you prepare for both further study and life in the workforce.
If you’re studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government-authorised and nationally accredited, and that your Degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.
The AQF makes it easy for overseas governments to recognise your qualification. When international employers see it, they’ll know what it stands for: a world-class education in a modern, democratic, and technologically advanced society.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an important part of the AQF. In simple terms, it means that if you have the skills or knowledge required for entry to, or credit towards, a qualification, but no papers as proof, you can undertake a personal assessment. If successful, you’ll be granted credit toward your qualification.
While all individual institutions recognise the AQF, each has its own policy regarding RPL. You should contact your institution for more information.
The following diagram illustrates the structure of the AQF, and the typical learning pathways and links for more information—you can reach this by clicking on each qualification.
Some AQF qualifications are offered by more than one type of institution. For example:
- both vocation education and training institutions and schools may offer vocational education and training for the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education and Certificate I-IV qualifications;
- older students can study for their Senior Secondary Certificate of Education at a vocational education and training institution;
- both universities and vocational education and training institutions offer Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas;
- universities and other higher education institutions may issue Certificate I-IV qualifications; and
- vocational education and training institutions, usually in association with universities, may offer degrees, Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas.
Study for AQF qualifications may help a student in achieving articulation into internationally-recognised certifications or accreditations. These certifications or accreditations are usually industry specific.
Further information and case studies of how AQF qualifications can help you in choosing a course of study, finding a job, changing careers or moving ahead is available at the AQF website.
Foundation Studies or Bridging courses
Most courses and training undertaken by international students entering Australia on a student visa are covered by the AQF. However, there are a number of Australian Government registered courses for international students which are not part of the AQF. These courses are usually known as Foundation Studies or Bridging courses. Many of these courses help students meet entry requirements for further study or may lead to further study that will result in a AQF qualification.
English language training courses
There are also a wide range of English language training courses which help students improve their English proficiency, meet the standard for further study, or prepare for one of several internationally-recognised English language qualifications.
Vocational Graduate Certificate
Some Vocational Graduate Certificates are also offered by universities.
This study involves the self-directed development and achievement of broad and/or specialised areas of knowledge and skills building on prior knowledge and skills.
It involves substantial breadth, depth and complexity including the initiation, analysis, design, planning, execution and evaluation of technical and/or management functions in highly varied and/or highly specialised contexts. Applications involve making significant, high level, independent judgements in major, broad or specialised planning, design, operational, technical and/or management functions in highly varied and/or highly specialised contexts. It may include responsibility and broad ranging accountability for the structure, management and output of the work of others and/or functions.
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Vocational Graduate Diploma
Some Vocational Graduate Diplomas are also offered by universities.
This study involves the self-directed development and achievement of broad and/or specialised areas of knowledge and skills building on prior knowledge and skills.
It involves substantial breadth, depth and complexity involving the initiation, analysis, design, planning, execution and evaluation of major functions, both broad and/or highly specialised, in highly varied and/or highly specialised contexts.
Skills include making the high level, fully independent, complex judgements in broad and/or highly specialised planning, design, operational, technical and/or management functions in highly varied and/or highly specialised contexts. It may involve full responsibility and accountability for all aspects of work of others and functions including planning, budgeting and strategy.
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University qualifications
The following qualifications are available at Australian universities and approved higher education providers.
| Associate Degree |
2 years |
| An Associate Degree is a two year qualification following year 12 or equivalent, or Certificate III or IV. It is a shorter higher education qualification offering an exit point at the sub-degree level, or a fully articulated pathway into the Bachelor Degree for further in-depth study and professional preparation, or articulation into an Advanced Diploma for specialist industry competencies. This study emphasises the foundational, research-based knowledge of an academic discipline, is broad-based in conceptual and theoretical content, often multi-disciplinary and develops generic employment-related skills within these discipline(s). The Associate Degree qualification is offered by universities and other self-accrediting higher education providers, and other providers including TAFEs and private VET providers, that meet specific requirements. |
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Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Degree (Honours) |
minimum 3 years
4 years |
| The Bachelor degree is the fundamental university qualification and is the basic qualification for entry to the professions. Some professions may require additional vocational qualifications as a condition of entry. This study involves acquiring a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, its underlying principles and concepts, and associated problem-solving techniques. You will develop the academic skills and attitudes to comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a wide range of sources. You will also develop the ability to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques learnt. This study usually involves major studies in an area where significant literature is available. Course content is to a significant depth and progressively developed to a high level, preparing students for further post-graduate study if desired. A Bachelor Degree with honours takes an additional year after a Bachelor Degree. Honours may also be granted where outstanding achievement is recorded in a Bachelor Degree course of four or more years. |
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| Graduate Certificates |
6 months |
| The Graduate Certificate typically involves broadening individual skills already gained in an undergraduate program, or developing vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area. |
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| Graduate Diplomas |
12 months |
| The Graduate Diploma either broadens individual skills obtained in an undergraduate program or develops vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area. This qualification can also be described as further specialisation within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge. |
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| Masters Degree |
1 to 2 years |
| The Masters Degree involves enhancing specific professional or vocational skills. The Masters Degree is typically gained by research or coursework or a combination. Study involves acquiring in-depth understanding of a specific area of knowledge usually by independent research. A Masters Degree takes either one year after a Bachelor Degree with honours or two years after a Bachelor Degree. |
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| Doctoral Degree |
typically 3 years |
The Doctoral Degree is the highest award offered by Australian universities. Although it is a research degree, some programs may have a course work component. There are three components to a Doctoral Degree:
- a searching review of the literature, experimentation or other systemic approach to a body of knowledge;
- an original research project resulting in a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding and/or the application of knowledge within a discipline or field of education; and
- a substantial and well-ordered thesis, demonstrating the relationship of the research to the broader framework of the discipline or field of education.
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