Graduate and vocational graduate certificates and diplomas in the Australian Qualifications Framework

The [Australian Qualifications Framework] AQF Council has undertaken a review of the AQF graduate and vocational graduate certificates and diplomas qualification types in the AQF. The AQF Council consulted stakeholders on the future of the AQF graduate and vocational graduate certificates and diplomas qualification types by means of a paper entitled 'AQF Council review of graduate and vocational graduate certificates and diplomas in the Australian Qualifications Framework, November 2011'. The paper comprised an analysis of the issues, a brief history of these qualification types in the AQF and its predecessors, and proposed four options for consideration. The AQF Council has established a preferred position on the future of these qualification types. In doing so, it has taken into account the principles that underpin the AQF; that is that the framework should: support lifelong learning and be student-focused; be understandable in the labour market and support employer and student demands for intermediary qualifications; be future oriented; retain its taxonomic integrity and remain simple without a proliferation of qualification types; and be internationally comparable and support qualification recognition. In reaching its position, the AQF Council also gave careful consideration to guard against any unintended or negative consequences that could impact on the utility of the AQF for the primary end users of qualifications - graduates and employers. Before finalising changes to these qualification types, the AQF Council would like to hear the views of AQF stakeholders. The purpose of this consultation paper is to provide an opportunity to identify any unanticipated consequences of the AQF Council's intended approach, to consider the specifications for the qualification types and to identify any requirements for implementation.

Excerpts from publication.

The [Australian Qualifications Framework] AQF Council has undertaken a review of the AQF graduate and vocational graduate certificates and diplomas qualification types in the AQF. The AQF Council consulted stakeholders on the future of the AQF graduate and vocational graduate certificates and diplomas qualification types by means of a paper entitled 'AQF Council review of graduate and vocational graduate certificates and diplomas in the Australian Qualifications Framework, November 2011'. The paper comprised an analysis of the issues, a brief history of these qualification ...  [+] Show more