In Australia, you experience a unique style of education – a learning style that encourages innovative, creative, independent thinking. You build skills that will give you an advantage – Academically, Personally, Creatively and Professionally.
The Australian education system is differentiated from other countries with the help of 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 the student visa requirements. It gives you flexibility in career planning and encourages you to continue learning which will help you through any career and lifestyle changes you make in your future.
The AQF provides guidelines for assessment and accreditation of qualifications such as Diplomas and Degrees. For example, you can seek credit towards qualification for the knowledge and skills you gained through your previous study, training, work and life experiences. Once you have established the status of your existing qualifications, you can choose from an appropriate level of courses anywhere in Australia. Even if you partially complete an AQF qualification you are issued a Statement of Attainment.
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 the typical learning pathways and links for more information – you can reach this by clicking on each qualification.
Foundation Studies or Bridging courses help students meet the entry requirements for further studies or may lead to further study options that will result in an AQF qualification.
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education – Final two years of school.
There is also a wide range of English language training courses, which can help students in improving their English proficiency and meet the standard for further studies.
EVERY STUDENT DESERVES A LIFE-CHANGING EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY
PLAN YOURS WITH DISCOVER MATRIX.
The qualifications offered at vocational education and training institutions are Certificates I-IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma. They meet the national industry standards and will prepare you for employment in a host of occupations or for further studies.
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.
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. 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.
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.
The following qualifications are available at all 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.
Bachelor Degree |Minimum 3/ 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 the 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.
Graduate Diplomas - 12 months
The Graduate Diploma either broadens individual skills obtained in an undergraduate program or develop vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area. This qualification can also be described as a further specialisation within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge.
Masters Degree - 1 to 2 years
The Master’s Degree involves enhancing specific professional or vocational skills. The Master’s Degree is typically gained by research or coursework or a combination. The study involves acquiring an 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.
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 coursework 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.
