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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.

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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 (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 project was based on a number of research activities: a review of current research literature both national and international to identify the key issues against the terms of reference; building a close working relationship with other entities undertaking different tasks with in the government’s strategy; and commissioned research reports on four key areas (data, funding, policy and regulatory analysis; and programs and pathways). This technical report elaborates on the findings and conclusions outlined in the Pathways Project report and is in turn supported by the four commissioned research reports.

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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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In its advice on a strengthened [Australian Qualifications Framework] AQF of November 2010 to the (then) Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE), the AQF Council informed MCTEE that there was an emerging view that greater differentiation of the graduate certificate and graduate diploma qualification types may be required and that a new qualification type may be needed to achieve this. There was also a general view across the vocational education and training and higher education sectors that the distinction between vocational and higher education graduate certificates and diplomas was no longer necessary because the revised descriptors allow for either vocational or academic outcomes. The AQF Council advised MCTEE that insufficient evidence had been provided to justify a change at that point in time and that further research needed to be undertaken. MCTEE was informed that the new 'AQF addition and removal of qualification type policy' would allow for change in the future should evidence justify it and the levels-based structure of the revised AQF provides the framework to consider how greater differentiation in these qualifications could be achieved. The purpose of this consultation paper is to consider the future direction for these qualification types. This paper provides a summary of issues raised by stakeholders, an overview of the evolution of these qualification types in the national system of qualifications, a brief description of recent enrolments and completions, and how such qualifications are handled in the qualifications frameworks of selected countries. Section six of the paper proposes options for consideration by stakeholders.

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