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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates the qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework.

‘A stronger qualifications framework will help build confidence in our system;

make it easier for students to move between education sectors;

will result in an increasingly integrated tertiary sector with stronger pathways between VET and higher education; and

will deliver greater take-up of VET in schools and greater connectedness between Australia and the global education market’

MCTEE November 2010

Australian Qualifications Framework

The AQF is a fundamental part of the Australian education system and economy and has been since 1995

It replaced earlier registers that dated back to 1971

AQF qualifications are embedded in professional registration, industrial awards, are required for occupational licensing, the basis for census data for population etc

The AQF is owned, funded and supported by all Australian governments

Objectives of the AQF

The objectives of the AQF are to provide a

contemporary and flexible framework

The AQF is the national policy on qualifications

It sets the standards for each Australian qualification type

It provides the national policy for student pathways

It is designed to support student mobility and facilitate lifelong learning

How the AQF operates

• The legal basis for the AQF is the responsibility of commonwealth, state or territory governments through their legislation

• All AQF qualifications must be accredited by government authorised accrediting authorities

• Only government accredited providers/institutions can deliver, assess and issue AQF qualifications

• Providers must meet minimum/threshold standards to be accredited and to retain accreditation

• Accrediting authorities monitor providers to ensure the quality of qualifications issued

• Some issuing organisations are self-accrediting

AQF levels and qualification types

Why a system of levels?

• Levels make transparent the progression available for qualification attainment

• Expressed as learning outcomes

• Levels illustrate increasing complexity and intellectual demand

• The AQF is hierarchical by nature however people do not necessarily gain qualifications in this way

• Movement by students in Australia can be in any direction – upwards, downwards and sideways progression is common-place

• Levels are understood internationally

Qualifications descriptors

The purpose of each qualification type requires all qualifications to include learning outcomes to prepare graduates for work and further learning; for example:

The Diploma qualifies individuals who apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway to further

learning.

Generic learning outcomes support graduate transition from education to the workplace.

Pathways policy

Accrediting authorities and organisations developing qualifications will build articulation between qualifications into qualification at the design stage

Provides for recognition of prior learning for informal and non-formal learning

Pathways policy

Credit can mean ‘credit towards’ or ‘credit into’ qualifications

Institutions and accrediting authorities will maintain registers of credit arrangements to improve the transparency of pathways for students and to improve the accountability of institutions providing them issuance policy

International alignment

The AQF has been designed to facilitate alignment with international qualifications frameworks to facilitate easier recognition of Australian qualifications and international qualifications in Australia

Governing and monitoring the AQF

AQF Council is a committee of Ministers

It has an independent Chair and its members have expertise in all education and training sectors as well as in industry and government

AQF Council’s role is to:– provide policy advice to Ministers– maintain, monitor and promote the AQF– support the users of the AQF

Contact the AQF

Visit the AQF website for information www.aqf.edu.au

Subscribe to AQF Council Email Newsletteraqfc@sa.gov.au

Enquire through the Secretariataqfc@sa.gov.au+61 – 8 - 8226 2775