AQF cover. The Australian Qualifications Framework. Qualifications are important to us all. Qualifications are what our students strive for

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1 AQF cover The Australian Qualifications Framework Qualifications are important to us all Qualifications are what our students strive for A qualification is an individual s currency for entry to further education, gaining employment, and social mobility The quality of qualification outcomes is paramount for individuals and the system as a whole Qualifications should be consistent and transparent across the education system 1

2 19/10/2011 The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates the qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework. The AQF was first introduced in 1995 Registers date from 1972 In 2011 it was revised to ensure that qualifications outcomes: - remained relevant and nationally consistent - continued to support flexible qualifications linkages - enabled national and international portability and comparability. Approved by MCTEE in March 2011 on advice from the AQF Council 2

3 Objectives of the AQF To provide a contemporary and flexible framework that: Accommodates the diversity of purposes of Australian education and training now and into the future Contributes to national economic performance by supporting contemporary, relevant and nationally consistent qualification outcomes which build confidence in qualifications Supports the development and maintenance of pathways which provide access to qualifications and assist people to move easily and readily between different education and training sectors and between these sectors and the labour market Objectives of the AQF To provide a contemporary and flexible framework that: Supports individuals lifelong learning goals by providing the basis for individuals to progress through education and training and gain recognition for their prior learning and experiences Underpins national regulatory and quality assurance arrangements for education and training Supports and enhances the national and international mobility of graduates and workers through increased recognition of the value and comparability of Australian qualifications Enables the alignment of the AQF with international qualifications frameworks 3

4 Design of the Australian Qualifications Framework The AQF at a glance The AQF is an integrated policy that is comprised of : Learning outcomes for each AQF level and qualification type classified taxonomically Specifications for the application of the AQF in accreditation and development of qualifications The policy requirements for: Issuing qualifications Qualifications linkages and student pathways Registers of authorised accrediting organisations; authorised issuing organisations; AQF qualifications and qualification pathways The addition or removal of qualification types in the AQF The definitions of the terminology used in the AQF 4

5 19/10/2011 AQF levels and qualification types Taxonomy of learning outcomes Levels criteria and qualification type descriptors use the same taxonomy: - knowledge - skills - application of knowledge and skills Generic learning outcomes are embedded across these domains 5

6 AQF levels AQF levels define the relative complexity of qualifications They define the depth of achievement and automony required of graduates to demonstrate the achievement The levels are defined by criteria expressed as learning outcomes Learning outcomes are what graduates are expected to know, understand and be able to do In the AQF there are 10 levels with level 1 having the lowest complexity and level 10 the highest complexity AQF levels Levels 5-7 Level 5 Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for skilled/paraprofessional work and/or further learning Level 6 Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further learning Level 7 Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning 6

7 AQF qualification types Type is the nomenclature used in the AQF to describe the discipline-free categories of AQF qualifications Each qualification type is defined by a descriptor expressed as learning outcomes The learning outcomes are expressed in terms of the dimension of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills Many countries describe the NQF through qualification types or levels the AQF uses both Recognition of qualifications across nations Main point of reference is the nation s qualification system National Qualifications Frameworks are a key recognition tool Underpinned by: Overall consistency and transparency of the qualifications system Quality assurance processes such as TEQSA and ASQA promotes trust in the system Professional and industry accreditation 7

8 Visit the AQF website for information and a copy of the AQF Subscribe to AQF Council Newsletter aqfc@deewr.gov.au Enquire through the Secretariat aqfc@deewr.gov.au AQF cover 8