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Australian Qualifications Framework
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In Australia, you experience a unique
kind of education – a learning style that encourages innovative,
creative, independent thinking. You build skills to give you an
advantage – Academically, Personally, Creatively and Professionally.
The Australian education system is distinguished from many other
countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
The AQF is a national system established by the Australian
Government that links courses and qualifications. It covers
University, Vocational Education and Training, and School education.
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 gives you flexibility in career
planning and encourages you to continue learning to help you through
any career and lifestyle changes you make in your life.
The AQF provides guidelines for assessment and accreditation of
qualifications such as Diplomas and Degrees. For example, you can
seek credit towards a qualification for the knowledge and skills you
gained through previous study, training, work and life experience.
Once you establish the status of your existing qualifications, you
can choose from appropriate level courses anywhere in Australia.
Even if you partially complete an AQF qualification you are issued a Statement of Attainment. |
The AQF comprises thirteen national
qualifications issued in:
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- Secondary schools
- Vocational education and training institutions.
- Higher education institutions (mainly universities).
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| The diagram below groups the AQF
qualifications according to the schools, vocational or higher
education institutions that commonly issue the qualifications. The
diagram also shows typical learning pathways and links to more
information – you can reach this by clicking on each qualification. |
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Some AQF qualifications are offered by more than one type of
institution. For example:
- Both universities and vocational education and training
institutions offer Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, and Bachelors
Degree.
- 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.
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Foundation Studies or Bridging courses
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Foundation Studies or Bridging courses help students meet entry
requirements for further study or may lead to further study that
will result in an AQF qualification.
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English language training courses
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There are also wide ranges of English language training courses,
which help students improve their English proficiency, meet the
standard for further study.
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School qualifications
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| Senior Secondary Certificate of Education |
Final two years of school |
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Vocational education and training qualifications
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The qualifications offered at vocational education and training
institutions are Certificates I-IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.
They meet national industry standards and will prepare you for
employment in a host of occupations or for further studies.
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| Certificate IV |
12 to 18 months |
You will acquire a breadth, depth
and complexity of knowledge and competencies that cover a broad
range of varied activities, in a variety of contexts that are
usually complex and non-routine. You are expected to be able to
demonstrate leadership and guidance of yourself and others, as
well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or
contingency nature.
You will have to demonstrate performance in a broad range of
skilled applications including evaluating and analysing current
practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing
current practices. In addition to showing leadership and guiding
others, you are expected to accept responsibility for others and
demonstrate limited organisational skills. |
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| Diploma |
18 to 24 months |
Diploma study involves breadth,
depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of
alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications
across a broad range of technical and/or management
requirements, evaluation and co-ordination. Diploma holders will
be capable of self-directed application of knowledge and skills,
with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required
in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and
techniques. A diploma student will participate in the
development of strategic initiatives and take personal
responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical
operations or organising others. Participation in teams both in
routine work and undertaking planning and evaluation tasks is
expected. Group or team coordination may be involved.
Some Diplomas are also offered by universities. |
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| Advanced Diploma |
2 to 3 years |
This study involves breadth, depth
and complexity involving analysis, diagnosis, design, planning,
execution and evaluation across a broad range of technical
and/or management functions. Skills include developing new
criteria or application or knowledge or procedures. You will
learn to apply a significant range of fundamental principles and
complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety
of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific
functions. Also involved is contributing to the development of a
broad plan, budget or strategy. You will learn to be accountable
and take responsibility for yourself and others in achieving
outcomes.
Some Advanced Diplomas are also offered by universities. |
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University qualifications |
The following qualifications are available at Australian
universities and approved higher education providers.
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| 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 |
Minimum 3 years |
| Bachelor Degree (Honours) |
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 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 study;
and
a substantial and well-ordered thesis, demonstrating the
relationship of the research to the broader framework of the
discipline or field of study.
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Sir Donald Bradman the
Australian Cricketing Legend has an astonishing Batting Average of
99.94 in Test Match Cricket (almost a perfect 100). In his last
innings he was run out for 0.