Australian Qualification Framework
It is basically a system of referring your qualification level nationally across institue. The list is knows as Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).Post secondary Australian Qualification is divided into 10 levels and below is the list of qualifications currently categorised on the AFQ. Local and International students graduating from Australian institutes and universities are recognised on the AFQ scale. See the table below to browse the qualifications (Level 1 to 10) and what is means to you to gain one.
Certificate I
The purpose of the Certificate I qualification type is to qualify individuals with basic functional knowledge and skills to undertake work, further learning and community involvement. Certificate I qualifications are located at level 1 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Certificate I qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 1 criteria and the Certificate I descriptor.
Certificate II
The purpose of the Certificate II qualification type is to qualify individuals to undertake mainly routine work and as a pathway to further learning. Certificate II qualifications are located at level 2 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Certificate II qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills Specified in the level 2 criteria and the Certificate II descriptor.
Certificate III
The purpose of the Certificate III qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply a broad range of knowledge and skills in varied contexts to undertake skilled work and as a pathway for further learning. Certificate III qualifications are located at level 3 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Certificate III qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 3 criteria and the Certificate III descriptor.
Certificate IV
The purpose of the Certificate IV qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply a broad range of specialised knowledge and skills in varied contexts to undertake skilled work and as a pathway for further learning. Certificate IV qualifications are located at level 4 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Certificate IV qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 4 criteria and the Certificate IV descriptor.
Diploma
The purpose of the Diploma qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning.Diploma qualifications are located at level 5 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Diploma qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 5 criteria and the Diploma descriptor.Diploma qualifications are available for accreditation and issuance in both higher education and vocational education and training.
Advanced Diploma
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply specialised knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning. Advanced Diploma qualifications are located at level 6 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Advanced Diploma qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 6 criteria and the Advanced Diploma descriptor. Advanced Diploma qualifications are available for accreditation and issuance in both higher education and vocational education and training.
Associate Degree
The purpose of the Associate Degree qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply underpinning technical and theoretical knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning. Associate Degree qualifications are located at level 6 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. Associate Degree qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 6 criteria and the Associate Degree descriptor.
Bachelor Degree
The purpose of the Bachelor Degree qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional work and as a pathway for further learning. Bachelor Degree qualifications are located at level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Bachelor Degree qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 7 criteria and the Bachelor Degree descriptor.
Bachelor Honours Degree
The purpose of the Bachelor Honours Degree qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a specific context to undertake professional work and as a pathway for research and further learning. Bachelor Honours Degree qualifications are located at level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Bachelor Honours Degree qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 8 criteria and the Bachelor Degree descriptor.
Graduate Certificate
The purpose of the Graduate Certificate qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning. Graduate Certificate qualifications are located at level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Graduate Certificate qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 8 criteria and the Graduate Certificate descriptor. Graduate Certificate qualifications are available for accreditation and issuance in both higher education and vocational education and training.
Graduate Diploma
The purpose of the Graduate Diploma qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.
Graduate Diploma qualifications are located at level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Graduate Diploma qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the level 8 criteria and the Graduate Diploma descriptor. Graduate Diploma qualifications are available for accreditation and issuance in both higher education and vocational education and training.
Masters Degrees
There are three main forms of Masters Degrees within the Masters Degree qualification type: the Masters Degree (Research), the Masters Degree (Coursework) and the Masters Degree (Extended). The purpose of the Masters Degree (Research) is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for research and scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.
The purpose of the Masters Degree (Coursework) is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning. The purpose of the Masters Degree (Extended) is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice and as a pathway for further learning.
Masters Degree qualifications are located at level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. Masters Degree qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes specified in the level 9 criteria and either the Masters Degree (Research) descriptor, the Masters Degree (Coursework) descriptor or the Masters Degree (Extended) descriptor.
Doctoral Degree
The purpose of the Doctoral Degree is to qualify individuals who apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more fields of investigation, scholarship or professional practice. Doctoral Degree qualifications are located at level 10 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
There are two forms of Doctoral Degree with the same descriptor within the Doctoral Degree qualification type: the Doctoral Degree (Research) and the Doctoral Degree (Professional). Research is the defining characteristic of all Doctoral Degree qualifications. The research Doctoral Degree (typically referred to as a Doctor of Philosophy) makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge; the professional Doctoral Degree (typically titled Doctor of [field of study]) makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the context of professional practice.
The emphasis in the learning outcomes and research may differ between the different forms of Doctoral Degree qualifications but all graduates will demonstrate knowledge, skills and the application of the knowledge and skills at AQF level 10. Doctoral Degree qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes specified in the level 10 criteria and the Doctoral Degree.