The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the policy for regulated qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF was first introduced in 1995 to underpin the national system of qualifications in Australia, encompassing higher education, vocational education and training (VET), and schools. The AQF is the agreed policy of Commonwealth, State and Territory ministers.
Aqf Levels
- Level 1- Certificate I
- Level 2- Certificate II
- Level 3-Certificate III
- Level 4-Certificate IV
- Level 5-Diploma
- Level 6 -Advance Diploma and Associate Degree
- Level 7-Bachelor’s degree
- Level 8-Bachelor Honour Degree, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate
- Level9- Master’s Degree
- Level 10- Doctoral Degree
Australia promotes quality education and protection, regardless of what a particular international student has chosen to study and where. The efforts by the Ministry of Education are reflected through Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000, National Code of Practice and Training to Overseas Students 2007. These provisions provide consistent national standards for education providers across Australia.
Higher education
- Common Higher Education Courses in Australia
- Engineering – Civil, Petroleum, Mechanical, Electrical
- Health – Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing
- Computing & IT- Software systems and Informatics
- Science – Physics, Environmental, Physics
- Business – Management, Accounting, Finance
Vet
Australia has a Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. VET prepares people for work in a career that does not need a university degree. the national body ASQA regulates and manages the system and ensures consistent national standards. Typically, a VET course takes up to two years of study.
- Common Vet Courses
- Commercial Cookery
- Painting
- Carpentry
- Building and Construction
- Automotive
Elicos
The English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector is an important one within the Australian Education system.ELICOS students typically come on a student visa, a tourist visa or a working holiday visa. People on a tourist visa are only permitted to study for a maximum of three months and those on working holiday visas for a maximum of four months. Individuals wishing to study in Australia for longer than this should apply for a student visa.
