Australian qualification framework

Advantages and Innovative Pathways

Australia's innovative approach to the development and delivery of education has made it one of the world's leading international education service providers. Australia has developed an education system which is innovative and effective and is renowned for its policy developments.

Australia has developed what is called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) which links together Australian school, vocational and higher education qualifications into a simple coherent structure which is highly visible and is a quality-assured national system of educational recognition, thus promoting a seamless and diverse education and training system.

This allows students to start at the level that suits them and then enhance their qualification as per their needs and interests which develop and change over time and assists learners to plan their career progression at whatever stage they are, either within Australia or overseas.

The important features of this system are:

• Vocational Education and Training in Schools, which allows schools to offer industry based units of learning along with the mainstream curriculum.
• Articulation & Credit Transfer Arrangements which help students seek credit for their vocational study and move on to a degree.
• Recognition of Prior Learning which helps to gain credits for further study through assessment of an individual's knowledge and work experience.

Important
Wherever you join the AQF depends on the qualifications you already have and where you want to go. Institutions offering courses can assess a student's existing qualifications as a basis for entry. Informal learning can also be assessed in a process known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and this can lead to immediate entry to a course. Should you decide not to finish a course, you still get credit for the work you have done through a Statement of Attainment under the AQF. The AQF simplifies international comparison and recognition. This is a passport for a valued and internationally recognized qualification.