Australia has a regulated system of qualification frame work which enables standardisation of educational qualifications across the country. This framework assures and incorporates quality focused qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualification framework.  Australian Qualification Frame work was introduced in 1955 by the Government encompassing School level qualifications, vocational training and higher education.

In Australia education and training is a shared responsibility of Commonwealth, state and territory Governments.

Australian Qualification frame work provides standards that encompasses

Learning outcomes for qualification types, Policy requirements for issuing AQF Qualifications and policy requirements for organizations authorized to issue AQF Qualifications.

Australian Qualification Levels

Level 1 – Certificate I – Graduates at this level foundational level of knowledge to undertake defined routine activities and identify and report simple issues and problems

Level 2 – Certificate II – Certificate II Graduates have basic technical and procedural knowledge of a defined area of work and learning

Level 3 – Certificate III – Certificate III Graduates have basic technical and procedural knowledge of a defined area of work and learning

Level 4 – Certificate IV – Certificate IV Graduates have broad technical and some theoretical knowledge of a specific area of work or learning

Level 5 – Diploma – Diploma Graduates are expected to have technical and theoretical knowledge in a specific area or a broad field of work and learning

Level 6 – Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree – broad theoretical and technical knowledge of a specific area or a broad field of work and learning

Level 7 – Bachelor Degree – broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge with depth in one or more disciplines or areas of practice

Level 8 – Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma – advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in one or more disciplines or areas of practice

Level 9 – Master’s Degree – advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in one or more disciplines or areas of practice

Level 10 – Doctoral Degree – systemic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of a discipline or area of professional practice

Education Providers

Schools

School Education is the responsibility of the State and Territory Government’s within their state. Compulsory education begins at the age of five or six years with minor variations between the states. There are both public and private Schools and the curriculum may vary depending upon the school but the learning areas remains the same. It is compulsory for Australian Students to attend school until year 10 or age 16.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Australia’s vocational education system prepares students to work in a career that does not require a university degree.

The providers include technical and further education institutes (TAFE), adult and community education providers, Agricultural colleges and Private providers. universities and schools also provide VET qualifications.

Higher Education

Higher education is provided by Universities. The federal Government provides funding for university education in all states. Universities are regulated by TEQSA.

Detailed information about Australian Qualification Framework can be found here http://www.aqf.edu.au