The AQF includes a policy regarding the issuance of qualifications and protection of tiles of AQF qualifications. The policy includes the responsibility for, and conditions under which the qualifications may be issued and the requirements for the form of the qualification to be issued.

AQF Qualification titles

Titles of AQF qualifications are the representation of the qualification type, level and field of study/discipline of the qualification and provide the basis for national and international recognition. AQF qualifications will have titles that unambiguously identify the qualification type, level and field of study/discipline as follows:

Exceptions:

i   The use of the title 'Juris Doctor' is permitted for a Masters Degree (Extended) for 
    legal practice.

ii.  The use of the title 'Doctor of ...' is permitted for a Masters Degree (Extended) for 
     five professions: medical practice; physiotherapy; dentistry; optometry and 
     veterinary practice.

iii  Further exceptions may be permitted in accordance with the AQF Qualification 
    Type Addition and Removal Policy. 

For exceptions:

• The qualification title and a statement that the qualification is an 'AQF level 9 Masters Degree' will appear on relevant certification documents, on any national, state/territory or institutional registers of qulifications, and in institutional information and promotional materials.
• The qualification may not be referred to as a Doctoral Degree in any written, oral or electronic information.

Whilst it is common to list the qualification title before the field of study/discipline, the reverse order may be used. The field of study/discipline may be expressed broadly or explicitly and may also include sub-categories.

The order and form of the title used for more than one qualification of the same or a different type offered simultaneously will unambiguously represent what the graduate has achieved.

In higher education sector qualifications titles may indicate if the qualification has been achieved through research or coursework.

Accrediting authorities may make decisions about which of the words 'in' or 'of' are used in the title.

Abbreviating AQF qualification titles.

Qualification titles may be abbreviated for use in postnominals, for example:

CertIIBus - Certificate II in Business

CertIVHosp - Certificate IV in Hospitality

AdvDipBldDes - Advanced Diploma of Building Design

AssocDEng - Associate Degree of Engineering

GradCertIT - Graduate Certifciate in Information Technology

Authority to issue qualifications

Schools sector

Each state or territory has legislative responsibility for authorising the issuance of the Senior Secondary Certifciate of Education (SSCE). Local titles are used at state or territory level such as the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in Victoria, the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in New South Wales.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector

The Commonwealth, state and territory governments have legislative responsibility for authorising the issuance of the qualification. The VET Quality Framework provides the nationally agreed standard for the registration of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and provides the authority for RTOs to issue qualifications.

Higher Education sector

Australian universities are empowered by legislation to issue qualifications. Commonwealth, state and territory governments have established legislation for the issuance of qualifications by other recognised higher education providers. The National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes provide nationally agreed standards for the registration of higher education providers and provide the authority for higher education providers to issue qualifications.

View the AQF First Edition July 2011 here

AQF Implementation Handbook 4th edition 2007

View the handbook