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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. Show less

The Australian Government announced the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Review in the 2017-18 Budget. The AQF is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australia. As such, it affects education providers, industry and students. The AQF is agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Both the COAG Education Council and the COAG Industry and Skills Council will need to consider and agree to any changes to the AQF recommended by this Review. In this discussion paper, the [AQF] Panel has posed some possible approaches involving change to the AQF to show its preliminary thinking about how the AQF might evolve. In other areas, issues are raised for discussion but approaches are not advanced at this stage of the Review process.

Excerpts from publication.

The final report from the review is available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 138.311. Show less