Australian Qualification Framework (AQF)

The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australia. It provides a consistent and transparent system for recognising and comparing qualifications across different education and training sectors (See AQF for more detail).

The AQF was first introduced in 1995 and has since undergone several revisions to reflect changes in the education and training landscape. The most recent version, AQF 2013, was introduced in January 2014.

The AQF covers qualifications from the senior secondary school level through to higher education and vocational education and training (VET). It consists of ten levels, each of which represents a specific level of knowledge and skills.

10-Levels of the AQF:

• Level 1: Certificate I
• Level 2: Certificate II
• Level 3: Certificate III
• Level 4: Certificate IV
• Level 5: Diploma
• Level 6: Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree
• Level 7: Bachelor Degree
• Level 8: Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
• Level 9: Masters Degree
• Level 10: Doctoral Degree

The AQF also includes qualifications such as a statement of attainment, which acknowledges the completion of one or more units of competency, and qualifications from overseas education providers, which are assessed and recognised against the AQF.

The AQF provides several benefits for students, employers, and education providers. For students, it ensures that qualifications are recognised across Australia and provides a clear path for further study and career progression. For employers, it helps to identify the skills and knowledge of potential employees and provides a benchmark for assessing job applicants. For education providers, it provides a framework for developing and delivering qualifications that meet the needs of students and the workforce.

Certificates, Diplomas, Undergraduate, Postgraduate & Doctoral Degrees

Australia is renowned for its high-quality education system, which attracts students from all over the world. Australian universities and tertiary education providers offer a wide range of qualifications, including certificates, diplomas, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and research degrees. These qualifications are recognized globally and provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. In this response, we will elaborate on the various Australian qualifications available at universities and higher education institutions.

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education: The purpose of this qualification is to equip individuals with knowledge, skills, and values for various pathways to further learning, work, and civic participation. Its level is not fixed in the AQF, and it must enable graduates to demonstrate specific learning outcomes.

Source: AQF Second Edition

Certificates: Levels 1-4

Certificates and diplomas are the first level of tertiary education qualifications in Australia. They are designed to provide students with specific skills and knowledge in a particular area of study. Certificates and diplomas can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, usually ranging from six months to two years. Some examples of certificates and diplomas include:

1. Certificate I: This qualification aims to provide individuals with basic functional knowledge and skills for work, further learning, and community involvement. It is located at Level 1 of the AQF and must allow graduates to demonstrate specific learning outcomes.
2. Certificate II: This qualification aims to qualify individuals for routine work and provide a pathway for further learning. It is located at Level 2 of the AQF and must allow graduates to demonstrate specific learning outcomes.
3. Certificate III: This qualification aims to qualify individuals who can apply a broad range of knowledge and skills in diverse contexts for skilled work and further learning. It is located at Level 3 of the AQF and must allow graduates to demonstrate specific learning outcomes.
4. Certificate IV: The purpose of this qualification is to qualify individuals who possess specialised knowledge and skills applicable in diverse contexts for skilled work and further learning. It is located at Level 4 of the AQF and must enable graduates to demonstrate specific learning outcomes through the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills as defined in the level 4 criteria and Certificate IV descriptor.

Diploma or Associate: Levels 5-6

The Diploma qualification aims to equip individuals with a diverse set of technical and theoretical skills that can be applied in various contexts. It serves as an advanced skill or paraprofessional pathway for further education and career opportunities. Diploma qualifications are placed at level 5 of the Australian Qualifications Framework and must adhere to the level 5 criteria and the Diploma descriptor. These qualifications are available in both vocational education and training and higher education.

1. Advanced Diploma: The Advanced Diploma qualification is intended to qualify individuals with specialized knowledge that can be applied in diverse contexts, enabling them to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work, and as a pathway for further education. Advanced Diploma qualifications are positioned at level 6 of the Australian Qualifications Framework and must meet the level 6 criteria and the Advanced Diploma descriptor to be designed and accredited. These qualifications are offered in both higher education and vocational education and training.
2. Associate Degree: The Associate Degree qualification aims to equip individuals with fundamental technical and theoretical knowledge that can be applied in various contexts, preparing them to undertake paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further education. To be designed and accredited, Associate Degree qualifications must meet the level-6 criteria and the descriptor. These qualifications are available for accreditation and issuance in both, higher education and vocational education and training.

An Associate Degree comes under AQF level 6 and is a two-year program. It can help with career development if you’re already working and don’t have time to complete a full Bachelor Degree. It can be a pathway to a Bachelor Degree or prepare you for an Advanced Diploma in specialist industry training. An Associate Degree will cover the basics or foundations of your field, provide broad theory, and enable you to develop basic employment-related skills.

Bachelor Degree: Level 7

A Bachelor Degree is the basic qualification for entry into a field. It will give you a systematic body of knowledge, the underlying principles, and the problem-solving techniques you’ll need to work in the discipline. With deeper content than an Associate Degree, your Bachelor Degree will develop your skills and knowledge to the point where you can pursue postgraduate studies if you want to. Bachelor Degrees typically take three to five years to complete, depending on the program.

1. Bachelor Degree: The Bachelor Degree qualification aims to qualify individuals who can apply a comprehensive and coherent body of knowledge in diverse contexts, allowing them to pursue professional work and further education. Bachelor Degree qualifications are placed at level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework and must comply with the level 7 criteria and the Bachelor Degree descriptor. These qualifications enable graduates to showcase their knowledge, skills, and application of knowledge and skills. Bachelor Degree qualifications are available in higher education.
2. Undergraduate Certificate: The Undergraduate Certificate was developed in response to community and industry needs due to the AQF review and the COVID-19 crisis. It is a six-month higher education qualification that can be used as a pathway to existing qualifications at AQF levels 5, 6, or 7. This certificate equips individuals with knowledge and skills for further education, professional upskilling, employment, and lifelong learning. Although the Undergraduate Certificate qualifications are not placed at any specific AQF-level, they cover AQF levels 5, 6, or 7. These qualifications must comply with the Undergraduate Certificate descriptor, which defines the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills, and application of knowledge and skills.

Bachelor Degree (Honours): Levels 8

If you perform particularly well in your Bachelor Degree, your institution might grant entry to an additional year of study to enable you to graduate with honours. A Bachelor Degree (Honours) typically takes four years to complete. This qualification builds on the knowledge and skills developed in a Bachelor’s Degree program. To achieve a Bachelor Honours Degree at AQF Level 8, students must undertake additional study and research in their chosen field, culminating in a substantial research project or thesis. The program aims to develop students’ critical thinking, research, and communication skills, as well as deepen their knowledge in a specific area of study.

1. Graduate Certificate: A Graduate Certificate is a six-month program completed following a Bachelor Degree. This qualification sits one level above a bachelor degree. It broadens individual skills you already have from an undergraduate program or develops your knowledge in a new area. This is a short, focused program of study that is designed to develop specific knowledge and skills in a particular field. It is designed for those who already have some experience in their industry and want to gain more specialised knowledge in a single area. To achieve a Graduate Certificate at AQF Level 8, students must complete four courses or units of study. This qualification is often used by students who want to upskill or change careers.
2. Graduate Diploma: It is a one-year program completed following a Bachelor Degree. It applies a body of knowledge in a range of contexts, allowing you to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning. This qualification is a longer, more comprehensive program of study than a Graduate Certificate. To achieve a Graduate Diploma at AQF Level 8, students must complete eight courses or units of study. The program aims to develop students’ knowledge and skills in a specific area of study and often includes a substantial research or practical component.

Masters Degree: Level 9

1. Masters Degree (Coursework): This is a postgraduate qualification that focuses on coursework. This may also include a minor research component i.e. a Dissertation or Thesis up to 25000 words. This research work can be based on primary or secondary research. To achieve a Masters Degree (Coursework) at AQF Level 9, students must complete a program of study that takes either one year after a Bachelor Degree with honours or two years after a Bachelor Degree. This degree includes advanced coursework, assignments, quizzes and assessments. The program aims to develop student’s knowledge and skills in a specific field, and may also provide opportunities for professional development or career advancement.

2. Masters Degree (Research): It’s also a postgraduate qualification. It is purely based on original research, primary data collection & analysis. It may also have some kind of coursework i.e some modules to teach students regarding Research Methodology etc. In order to obtain a Masters Degree by Research that sits at Level-9 of AQF, students are supposed to undertake a substantial research project or thesis under the supervision of an academic mentor or supervisor. As a result of this degree, students are able to improve their research skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. This degree also deepens scholars’ knowledge in a specific area of study. A Masters Degree (Research) is a course of independent research that will further a student’s position as an expert in his/her selected field of study. It typically takes two years to complete and is completed following a Bachelor Degree with honours or Bachelor Degree.

Doctoral Degree: Level 10

The Doctoral Degree is the highest award offered by Australian universities. It is a research program that can have some coursework. The four components of PhD degree, or Doctor of Philosophy are:

1. Literature Review – This is to rigorously review the past research conducted and published by scientists and researchers.
2. Research Methods – the techniques and procedures used to collect and analyze data in a research study. The choice of research method will depend on the research question, the field of study, and other factors. Examples of research methods are Quantitative, Qualitative or mixed method research; Case study, Experimental or Survey research.
3. Field Work – An original research project that aims to do primary research and first-hand data collection. It makes a contribution to understanding and knowledge in the selected field of research.
4. Thesis – A substantial, well-ordered one that is comprised of several chapters having more or less 80,000 words in it. It shows a relationship between the research and the field of study.

This is the highest level of academic qualification and is designed to produce independent researchers who make original contributions to knowledge in their chosen field. To achieve a Doctoral qualification at AQF Level 10, students must undertake a substantial research project that makes a significant and original contribution to their field of study. The program typically takes between three and five years to complete and involves independent research under the supervision of academic mentors. The Doctoral Degree typically takes 3 to 5 years to complete and is completed following a Masters Degree.

1. Full-time students: The duration for a full-time PhD program in Australia is from a minimum of three years to a maximum duration of four years. However, there are some institutions that may allow some student scholars to complete their full-time PhD for up to six years. This is purely based on certain circumstances, such as when the research project is particularly complex or requires extensive fieldwork. This extension in duration is subject to approval from the academic board.
2. Part-time students: Scholars can take six years to complete a PhD. The maximum duration is generally 8 years. Those students who are working or have other commitments go for this option. This enables students to undertake their research at a more flexible pace, while still making progress towards their degree.