What is the AQF?

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) establishes the quality of Australian qualifications.

The AQF is the national policy for regulated qualifications in the Australian education and training system. It incorporates the quality assured qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework.

One of the key objectives of the Australian Qualifications Framework is to facilitate pathways to, and through, formal qualifications.

AQF qualifications link with each other in a range of learning pathways between schools, VET and higher education via ten different levels.

Benefits of the AQF

The users of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) span each education and training sector: schools, vocational education and training and higher education and include the accrediting authorities and institutions providing education and training.

For domestic students:

  • the AQF encourages lifelong learning and assists students to plan their careers and learning at whatever stage they are within their lives and wherever they live
  • AQF qualifications allow 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 supports national standards in education and training
  • AQF qualifications are recognised across Australia
  • the AQF ensures understanding of what each qualification name and level means
  • the registers of registered education and training providers and accredited courses provide assurance that courses and providers are approved by government

For international students:

  • the AQF supports national standards in education and training
  • AQF qualifications are recognised all around Australia and internationally
  • the registers of registered education and training providers and accredited courses provide assurance that courses and providers are approved by government
  • all institutions and the AQF qualifications they provide for international student must be registered by the Commonwealth government and listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

AQF levels

Australian Qualifications Framework(AQF) levels and the AQF levels criteria are an indication of the relative complexity and/or depth of achievement and the autonomy required to demonstrate that achievement. AQF level 1 has the lowest complexity and AQF level 10 has the highest complexity.

For more information about Australian Qualification Framework please refer to the official website www.aqf.edu.au