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The aim of this study was to undertake an empirical analysis of the revised design of the strengthened Australian Qualifications Framework. In particular, four elements of the revised framework were to be examined: the levels structure, with 10 levels expressed as learning outcomes (referred to as 'levels criteria'); revised descriptors for each of the existing 14 qualification types (and two kinds [the Master's and Doctoral Degree qualifications types had two kinds: other and research]) expressed as learning outcomes (referred to as 'qualification type descriptors'); the relationship between the qualification types and the levels structure; [and] an estimate of the notional duration of student learning for each qualification type. The major aims of the empirical validation were to: estimate the complexity of the criteria for each of the levels, and for each set, compare the estimates with the proposed 10-level structure; estimate the complexity of each qualification type descriptor for each of the 14 qualification types; identify any potentially redundant and non-discriminating levels criteria and/or qualification type descriptors; determine where each qualification type is typically positioned within the proposed 10-level structure; [and] investigate the adequacy of the suggested duration for each qualification type.

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This document provides an overview of the research and findings. Show less

Preliminary investigation indicates that the structure and content of the [European Qualifications Framework] EQF is comparable with the [Australian Qualifications Framework] AQF. Both comprise level structures described by taxonomies of learning outcomes and authoritative national or regional quality assurance systems. This provides a sound footing for a detailed technical comparison of the Qualifications Frameworks. The Joint [European Union] EU-Australia study clearly signals the European Commission's interest in the alignment of the EQF with the AQF; the AQF Council in turn has recommended the project. There are also strong diplomatic, labour market and trade ties between the two countries and formal alignment is consistent with Australia's international obligations.

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The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a quality assured national framework of qualifications in the school, vocational education and training (VET), and higher education sectors in Australia. The Framework links together all the qualifications and is a quality-assured national system of educational recognition that promotes lifelong learning and a seamless and diverse education and training system. School, work-based qualifications and academic qualifications are part of a single system of qualifications, allowing maximum flexibility in career planning and continuous learning. The AQF groups the qualifications according to the educational sector responsible for their accreditation. The Framework was developed and is endorsed by all Australian governments and therefore an AQF qualification is recognised around Australia and by other countries. The AQF Council provided its advice on strengthening the AQF to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE) at its meetings on 19 November 2010 and 18 March 2011. The strengthened AQF has been approved by MCTEE for implementation to commence on 1 July 2011.

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The Australian Qualifications Framework Council (AQF Council) was established in 2008 as a Committee of the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) with responsibility for advising ministers on the maintenance and strengthening of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The Council has released for consultation a proposal for strengthening the AQF in response to workforce changes and changes in the education and training environments since its development in the early 1990s. As well as maintaining the AQF, supporting its users and promoting the AQF to stakeholders, the AQF Council's remit is to consider how the AQF can be strengthened to ensure it is nationally and internationally robust and supports flexible cross-sectoral linkages and pathways. The proposal outlines measures to enhance the objectives of the AQF and create a more contemporary AQF architecture including: common taxonomy of learning outcomes to describe the breadth and depth of each qualification; a hierarchy of qualifications based on explicit reference levels; and a measurement of the volume of learning for each qualification type at each level. The consultation period will conclude on Friday 12 June 2009 and, based on the feedback received, the proposals will be refined and the components of the AQF will be re-designed and developed. A further round of consultations will occur then.

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The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. This publication, aimed at organisations that develop qualifications and those that are authorised to accredit and/or issue AQF qualifications, provides the complete set of AQF policies and objectives as well as information about its governing and monitoring arrangements. The second edition is effective from 1 January 2013 and includes amended Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma types and updated information on the regulatory arrangements for the AQF. A new qualification type, the Undergraduate Certificate, was added to the AQF in 2020 in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Show less

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Council undertook a project between May 2008 and April 2011 to strengthen the AQF. This document is the revised AQF that was presented to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE) by the AQF Council for approval on November 19, 2010. The final approved version of the AQF, published in March 2011, is available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 103.348. Show less

The Australian Qualifications Framework Council (AQFC) was commissioned in April 2009 to provide advice on how to improve qualifications and recognition arrangements that would lead to more seamless pathways between the vocational education and training (VET) and higher education sector which would benefit students. This work became known as the Pathways Project. The findings from this project were incorporated into the strengthened Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The advice contained in this Report provides a high level summary of the findings of the project and the conclusions drawn. The report is supported by a comprehensive technical report which elaborates on the findings and conclusions outlined in this report. The technical report is supported by four separate research reports which collectively provide comprehensive information on existing practices and arguments for future reform. The research papers examine: data collection; funding; policy and regulatory analysis; and programs and pathways.

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The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Qualifications Pathways Policy is Australia's national policy on qualifications pathways and covers all education and training sectors that issue AQF qualifications and the responsibilities for making qualification pathways accessible to students. The purpose of the policy is to maximise the credit that students can gain for learning already undertaken. It aims to: enhance student progression into and between AQF qualifications; recognise the multiple pathways that students take to gain AQF qualifications and that learning can be formal, non-formal or informal; and support the development of pathways in qualifications design.

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The Australian Qualifications Framework Council was established in 2008 as a Committee of the Ministerial Council on Education Employment Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) with responsibility for advising ministers on the maintenance and strengthening of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). In May 2009, a consultation paper, Strengthening the AQF: a Proposal was drafted by the Council as a basis for strengthening the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Proposal was developed in response to the need for improved linkages and connections between qualifications and sectors as identified by MCEETYA. It took into account the responses of the wide range of stakeholders who had participated in earlier consultations such as the Review of Australian Higher Education, the review of the AQF Advisory Board and the AQF Council's development of common terminology for credit arrangements. The AQF Council sought stakeholder responses to the Proposal which was disseminated widely. This report provides an analysis of the 84 submissions received from organisations and individuals to the Proposal. The responses represent the views of all AQF stakeholders and users.

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The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Council undertook a project between May 2008 and April 2011 to strengthen the AQF. A revised AQF (available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 133.562) was presented to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE) by the AQF Council for approval on November 19, 2010. This document contains advice to MCTEE that accompanied the revised AQF. The final approved version of the AQF, published in March 2011, is available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 103.348. Show less