Understanding the Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a system of 17 national qualifications that assists students to plan their careers and learning in Australia. AQF qualifications allow both domestic and international students to start at the level that suits them and then build up their qualifications as their needs and interests develop and change over time.

The AQF is important as it:

• provides a clear structure for the level of each qualification
• allows students to build their qualifications from lower to higher levels
• allows one education institution to clearly understand the level of a qualification awarded by another and provide appropriate credit
• determines the student visa subclass that a student receives when they study in Australia
• is endorsed by all Australian governments through the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA), and is therefore recognised around Australia and by other countries

The qualifications are grouped according to the educational sector in which they are most commonly issued, as listed in the table below:

A qualification normally offered in one sector may sometimes be provided by an institution in a different sector. For example, schools may offer a Certificate III course within their senior school program; some Universities may offer a Diploma; and some Vocational Colleges may offer Bachelor’s Degrees.

Some courses do not award a formal qualification as listed on the AQF table above, even though they offer excellent education and outcomes. For example:

• many English language courses (ELICOS)
• some foundation studies
• non-award programs

All AQF qualifications and the providers/institutions accredited to deliver and issue these qualifications are listed in the AQF Register of Recognised Education Institutions and Authorised Accreditation Authorities in Australia.

-Written by Melanie Duncan, Acacia Immigration Australia

Melanie is the Business Development Manager at Acacia Education Australia, and the immediate past president of the NSW Branch of ISANA: International Education Association. She was a member of the ISANA NSW Executive for three years, providing professional development opportunities to staff members who deal directly with international student matters on a daily basis. Melanie continues to represent ISANA at state government level. She is a member of both the NSW Department of Immigration and Citizenship Client Reference Group and the current NSW Ministerial Taskforce on International Education, as well as a qualified education agent counsellor.