What is the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF)?

The AQF was designed by the Australian Government to ensure consistency and to maintain high standards of education among qualification titles across the country. It regulates all Australian qualifications through clear rules about the level of education represented by each title.

Each qualification generally leads into the next higher in the qualification down the list in the education framework. In addition to these qualifications, the AQF issues a Statement of Attainment when a student accomplishes only part of a qualification.

What are the benefits of the AQF?

Having a nationally standardised system allows students to pursue their education through clear pathways to follow. It also makes transferring between different education providers much easier, as it eliminates confusion caused by differing qualification titles and education levels.

For more information, see: www.aqf.edu.au

AQF LEVEL	SUMMARY	QUALIFICATION TYPE
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education	Graduates of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education qualifies individuals with knowledge, skills and values for diverse pathways to further learning, work and effective participation in civic life.	Senior Secondary Certificate of Education
level 1	Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for initial work, community involvement and/or further learning	Certificate I
level 2	Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for work in a defined context and/or further learning	Certificate II
level 3	Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for work and/or further learning	Certificate III
level 4	Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialised and/or skilled work and/or further learning	Certificate IV
level 5	Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for skilled and/or paraprofessional work and/or further learning	Diploma
level 6	Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional and/or highly skilled work and/or further learning	Advanced Diploma Associate Degree
level 7	Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning	Bachelor Degree
level 8	Graduates at this level will have advanced knowledge and skills for professional highly skilled work and/or further learning	Bachelor Honours Degree Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma
level 9	Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning	Masters Degree (Research) Master Degree(Coursework) Masters Degree (Extended)
level 10	Graduates at this level will have systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and/or for professional practice	Doctoral Degree