The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates qualifications from each education sector into a single comprehensive framework. The AQF sets standards for each Australian qualification type, provides pathways for students, and is designed to support student mobility and lifelong learning. Qualifications are delivered by accredited providers and issued by authorized accrediting authorities to ensure quality. The AQF Council governs and monitors the AQF on behalf of the Australian governments.

1. AQF cover Australian Qualifications Framework

2. 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. 

3. ‘ 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

4. 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

5. Objectives of the AQF The objectives of the AQF are to provide a contemporary and flexible framework

6. 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

7. 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

8. AQF levels and qualification types

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Contact the AQF Visit the AQF website for information www.aqf.edu.au Subscribe to AQF Council Email Newsletter [email_address] Enquire through the Secretariat [email_address] + 61 – 8 - 8226 2775