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Australia. Department of Education
Abstract:
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a critical part of the architecture of the Australian education and training system. It defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the 14 different types of qualifications issued across the senior secondary education, vocational education and training (VET) and higher education systems in Australia. To retain their relevance and effectiveness, qualifications will need to respond to current and emerging workforce and social needs, be delivered in ways that meet learners' needs and circumstances, and... [+] Show more
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a critical part of the architecture of the Australian education and training system. It defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the 14 different types of qualifications issued across the senior secondary education, vocational education and training (VET) and higher education systems in Australia. To retain their relevance and effectiveness, qualifications will need to respond to current and emerging workforce and social needs, be delivered in ways that meet learners' needs and circumstances, and be trusted by learners, employers and the community generally. The Australian government announced a review of the AQF in the 2017-18 budget. This document is the final report of the Expert Panel, chaired by Peter Noonan. It recommends significant reforms to the AQF.
Key findings and recommendations include: The AQF is widely used by the tertiary education sectors to underpin the validity, reputation and value of formal qualifications in the Australian education and training system; there are too many levels, the structure is overly rigid and there is a lack of clarity between the current AQF levels and qualification types; shorter form credentials, especially microcredentials, will have greater portability if they have some quality assurance; and an ongoing governance body will be required to give effect to decisions by Ministers on the recommendations of the Review of the AQF and to ensure that the AQF remains relevant, is effectively implemented and widely used.
Edited excerpts from publication with additional information.
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Subjects: Qualifications; Governance; Vocational education and training; Higher education; Secondary education; Policy
Keywords: Qualifications framework; Education and training reform; Recommendations; Microcredentials
Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania
Published: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Department of Education, 2019
Physical description: 151 p.