Australian Education System
Australia has a nationwide system of qualifications, known as the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), which is recognized by the Australian Government. Below are some brief information about the AQF.
- Primary education (1 to 8)
- Secondary education (9th and 10th)
- Senior secondary education (10+2)
- Tertiary education level
LEVEL | QUALIFICATION | TIME TAKEN |
1 | Certificate I | 6 to 12 month |
2 | Certificate II | 6 to 12 month |
3 | Certificate III | 1 to 2 year |
4 | Certificate IV | 6 to 24 month |
5 | Diploma | 1 to 2 year |
6 | Advance diploma/Associate degree | 2 years/1.5 to 2 year |
7 | Bachelor degree | 3 to 4 year |
8 | Graduate diploma/Graduate certificate | 1-2 year/6-12 month |
9 | Master degree/Extended/coursework/research | 3 to 4 year/1 to 2 year |
10 | Doctoral degree | 3 to 4 year |
Important Terms
- VET- Vocational education and training
- RTO- Registered training organisation
- RPL- Recognition of prior learning
- TAFE- Technical and further education
- TER- Tertiary entrance rank
- ENTER -Equivalent national tertiary entrance rank
- SSCE – Senior secondary certificate of education
- ELICOS -English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students