Frequently Asked Questions

The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) is the policy framework for the Australian education system. It defines the course descriptors and learning outcomes of qualification levels in Australia for senior secondary school, vocational education and higher education qualifications. The AQF is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Education.

Information about the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is available in the AQF Second Edition 2013 or associated explanatory information on these web pages.

If your query is unable to be addressed by the answers to the frequently asked questions below. You can contact the Department of Education for assistance.

Recognition of foreign qualifications

How can I have my overseas qualification assessed for Australian equivalence?

To have your overseas qualification assessed for Australian qualification equivalence there are a few processes you can follow:  

1. If the purpose of having your qualification assessed for Australian qualification equivalence is to pursue further study in Australia, you will need to contact the prospective education institution. The education institution, such as a university, higher education provider or registered training organisation, assesses overseas qualifications for admission to study. Information about Australia education providers, courses, modes of delivery (online, on campus or mixed), scholarships, the application process and requirements is at Study Australia.  
2. If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and are looking for a job with no specific requirements, you can contact an Australian state and territory government Overseas Qualifications Unit (OQU). Please see Qualifications Recognition. There are also some FAQs available should this information be relevant to you.  
3. If the purpose of having the qualification assessed for Australian qualification equivalence is for employment and/or migration to Au​stralia, please check whether your occupation requires specialised knowledge and skills in Australia. These occupations have registration, licensing, professional membership or other industry requirements that must be met before you can start working. There are authorities responsible for these ​occupations that conduct skills assessments. You can find the list at Assessing authorities.  
4. If there are no registration, licensing, professional membership or industry requirements for your occupation, and you are applying for a qualification assessment for general purposes, you can apply on the qualification assessment page.

What is my New Zealand Qualification equivalent to under the Australian Qualifications Framework?

Certain qualifications from New Zealand are recognised in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement without additional testing and/or examination. Please visit Recognising New Zealand qualifications on the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for more information.  

I am an overseas student wanting to find out more information on study and qualifications in Australia, where should I go?

The Australian Government website, Study Australia, provides comprehensive information about studying in Australia. Another website that might be of use is the Commonwealth Register of Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), which has a database that lists all institutions registered to provide courses to overseas students. 

Qualification Verification

How do I know if a qualification is an AQF qualification?

All AQF qualifications are quality assured through government accreditation processes. Education providers that issue AQF qualifications have been authorised to do so under law.

AQF qualifications are identified by inclusion of the AQF logo, or the words: This qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework.

In the higher education sector, AQF qualifications are accredited either by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), or by a self-accrediting higher education provider such as a university. Qualifications accredited by TEQSA can be found on the National Register. For institutions with self-accrediting authority, you will need to contact the institution for details of the courses they have accredited.

In the vocational education and training sector, qualifications are accredited by either the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) or the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council (TAC) and are listed on the National Register at www.training.gov.au.

How can I validate a certificate or qualification as an AQF qualification?

If you wish to validate a certificate or qualification as an Australian Qualification Framework qualification, you can directly contact the education provider that issued the certification.

If your training organisation has closed, you may be able to obtain information on your qualification from the relevant VET regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) if the provider was in any state other than Victoria or Western Australia and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority if the provider was in Victoria and the WA Training Accreditation Council if the provider was in Western Australia. Depending on the age of your qualification, information may not available.

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) National Register of Higher Education Providers lists details of current higher education providers. If your provider has closed, you may wish to contact TEQSA to see if you can be provided with further information. Depending on the age of your qualification, information may not be available.

Alternatively, if you completed a higher education course after 2017, and you are registered with My eQuals, you may be able to find proof of verification by logging into your account.

I studied my qualification prior to 1995 when the AQF was first introduced, how do I know what it is equivalent to?

Please see our section on previous versions of the AQF and pre-AQF equivalencies.

How do I know what my qualification is equal to under the AQF?

You can find more information about AQF qualifications and the level they sit and in the Australian Qualifications Framework 2nd Edition.  

If you are looking to validate your Australian qualifications, it is best to directly contact the institution at which the study was completed to have a qualification verified. If this is not possible, there are further steps that can be taken depending on whether you are seeking to validate a VET or higher education qualification.  

Accreditation

Where can I find out whether my provider is registered and whether my course is an AQF qualification?

If you are studying through a VET provider, you can find this information on the National Register of VET on www.training.gov.au.

If you are studying through a higher education provider, this information can be found on the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s website under the National Register of Higher Education Providers.

AQF qualifications can be found on the national registers listed above, unless they have been accredited by a self-accrediting higher education provider. If you are studying at a self-accrediting higher education provider, contact the institution or search their website to seek further information about their courses.

Who accredits AQF qualifications?

AQF qualifications are accredited by:

In higher education, the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) is the national accrediting body which:

• registers higher education providers and universities,
• accredits qualifications developed by non self-accrediting providers, and
• authorises universities and designated higher education providers to self-accredit their qualifications.

The Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) maintains the National Register of higher education providers which lists all providers, including authorised self-accrediting higher education providers and the qualifications they are authorised to issue.

Self-accrediting higher education providers, such as universities, are authorised by TEQSA to accredit their own AQF qualifications.

If you wish to know more about a self-accrediting provider, click on the National Register of higher education providers. This will take you to the websites of universities and self-accrediting higher education providers where you also can search for the qualifications these providers issue.

In the vocational education and training sector there are three bodies authorised to accredit qualifications.

• The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) accredits qualifications and registers national providers and/or providers for international students.
• The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) accredits qualifications and registers providers operating solely in Victoria issuing qualifications only to Australian students.
• The Western Australian Training Accreditation Council accredits qualifications and registers Western Australian providers operating solely in Western Australia issuing qualifications only to Australian students.

Information on accredited qualifications in the vocational education and training sector can be found on the National Register on VET in Australia which is located on the training.gov.au website.

How do I become a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a Higher Education Provider?

The AQF itself does not register institutions. In Australia, this is undertaken by National or State/Territory accrediting authorities.

Registered Training Organisations for the Vocational Education and Training Sector

Information on becoming an RTO can be found on the website of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

Information on applying for course accreditation can be found on the website of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

Some VET providers in Victoria and Western Australia continue to come under the jurisdiction of their respective state regulators, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council. These are providers that do not offer courses outside Victoria and Western Australia, and do not offer courses to overseas students.

Higher Education Sector

Information on becoming a higher education provider can be found on the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency website. 

Student Records

How can I get a copy of my qualification?

If you wish to get a copy of certificate or qualification as an Australian Qualification Framework qualification, you can directly contact the education provider that issued the certification.

If your provider has closed details of current and non-current registered training organisations may be found on the National Register of Vocational Education and Training on the training.gov.au website.  

If your training organisation has closed, you may be able to obtain information on your qualification from the relevant VET regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) if the provider was in any state other than Victoria or Western Australia and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority if the provider was in Victoria and the WA Training Accreditation Council if the provider was in Western Australia. Depending on the age of your qualification, information may not available.

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) National Register of Higher Education Providers lists details of current higher education providers. If your provider has closed, you may wish to contact TEQSA to see if you can be provided with further information. Depending on the age of your qualification, information may not be available.

I have a question about the Unique Student Identifier (USI) or my USI transcript

You should consult the Unique Student Identifier website, and contact the USI team through that website if you have further queries.

I have a question about my entitlement to certification for the study I have completed, or what should be included on that certification

Requirements for certification are set out in the national standards that apply to registered organisations in the VET or Higher Education sectors. These standards are the Higher Education Standards Framework for Higher Education qualifications and the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 for VET qualifications. These documents also reference the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy.

For questions about your certification, you should consult your education provider in the first instance. If you have further queries, you should contact the relevant regulator: for higher education: the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, and for vocational education and training: the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

What is a statement of attainment?

A statement of attainment is issued when a student has successfully completed a number of accredited units of study which do not amount to a full qualification. The statement should meet the requirements set out in the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy and any applicable standards for the sector. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

How do I get credit for recognition of prior learning and/or experience?

The AQF includes a pathway policy which provides information for students and providers, you can find the pathway policy and other information at Recognition of prior learning on the AQF website.  

While it is up to educational institutions to determine the value of units and offer credits for completed study, it is possible to transfer study credits. However, this is depending on the discipline and field of study and the education provider. Please contact the University of New South Wales (UNSW) provider directly to determine if you are eligible.  

In addition, it is ultimately up to prospective employers or educational institutions to determine the value of qualifications with regards to the requirements/proficiencies for employment. Individual industries overseas qualifications differently, some qualifications will be accepted, whereas certain occupations/industries may require refresher training or registration by a regulatory body.  

What study pathways are available to me?

All higher education and vocational education and training providers are required to have policies regarding pathways between qualifications and recognition of previous learning and/or experience that you may have. You will need to provide evidence of your previous study and any relevant work experience. Check the website of the provider where you wish to study or contact their student counsellor for more information. The AQF includes a pathways policy which provides information for students and providers. 

Complaints  

How can I make a complaint about my education provider?

It is best for you to try to resolve your complaint directly with your education provider. All education providers are required to have processes in place to deal with student complaints. For public education providers (for example, TAFEs and public universities) you may be able to contact the relevant Commonwealth, state or territory Ombudsman with your complaint.

If you are unsatisfied with your providers’s response you can escalate your complaint to the National Student Ombudsman (NSO) which can consider a range of issues, including discrimination, the fairness and effectiveness of student complaints processes, and administrative issues: National Student Ombudsman (NSO).

International students studying with a private education provider can contact the Overseas Student Ombudsman.

For higher education providers, you may wish to contact the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). TEQSA uses information from student complaints in assessing whether a registered higher education provider continues to comply with the Higher Education Standards Framework.

For vocational education and training providers, the national regulator is the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ASQA is responsible for assessing the compliance of VET providers with the VET Quality Framework, including the Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations available on the ASQA website.

Some VET institutions in Victoria and Western Australia may come under the jurisdiction of their respective state regulators, rather than ASQA. These state regulators are the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council. You can check which regulator has jurisdiction over your VET provider by consulting the provider’s registration information on the National Register at training.gov.au. 

About the AQF and General Information

What is the AQF?

The AQF is Australia’s national framework of qualifications in the school, vocational education and training and higher education sectors. It was developed in 1995 and has been revised a number of times, with the most recent major revision taking place in 2011 with full effect from January 2015. It is an agreed policy of Commonwealth, state and territory governments.

How do I find an AQF qualification to suit my needs?

You can find programs of learning leading to AQF qualifications by searching:

• MySkills website which contains information about the AQF qualifications provided in the vocational education and training sector
• Course Seeker website contains information about the AQF qualifications provided in the higher education sector
• Study Assist website contains information about courses and qualifications

How do I know which qualification I need for specific jobs?

The Occupation and Industry Profiles website provides information about which qualifications are required for specific jobs. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) also provides information on qualifications required for work

What are the titles and abbreviations of AQF qualifications?

AQF titles are outlined in the table below. Some further examples of abbreviations are below the table: 

Examples:

• CertIIBus – Certificate II in Business
• CertIVHosp – Certificate IV in Hospitality
• AdvDipBldDes – Advanced Diploma of Building Design
• AssocDEng – Associate Degree of Engineering
• GradCertIT – Graduate Certificate in Information Technology

Where can I get advice on the interpretation of the AQF?

Questions that relate to interpretation of the AQF for regulatory purposes should be directed to the relevant regulator.

In higher education, this is the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

In the vocational education and training sector (VET), this is usually the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Some VET providers in Victoria and Western Australia fall under the jurisdiction of their respective state regulators, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council. Each VET provider’s entry on training.gov.au provides the name of the relevant regulator.

What qualification do I need to become a trainer in the VET sector?

For information on meeting trainer and assessor requirements, please refer to the Australian Skills Quality Authority’s website. 

Vocational Degree  

An addendum has been published to the AQF Second Edition 2013 to introduce the Vocational Degree at AQF level 7. The Vocational Degree is a degree level qualification for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector. Please go to Vocational Degree | AQF for further information.

Undergraduate Certificate  

An addendum has been published to the AQF Second Edition January 2013 to make the Undergraduate Certificate a permanent qualification under the AQF. It will continue to be monitored, in collaboration with the states and territories, to ensure it remains fit for purpose, and to understand impacts and outcomes for students, providers and industry. Please go to Undergraduate certificate | AQF for more information.

Changes to the Issuance Policy - Masters Degree (Extended) Addendum 5  

Why has the Issuance Policy been updated/changed?

The Issuance Policy has been updated to include an exception for the pharmacy profession.

From 1 January 2025, graduates who have completed the course requirements for an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) course in the pharmacy discipline will be able to use the qualification title ‘Doctor of Pharmacy’.

Pharmacy graduates who have not completed an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) cannot use the title ‘Doctor of’.

For all exceptions to use the title Doctor of:

• 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 qualifications, 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.

Who else can use the title ‘Doctor of’ or ‘Dr’?

Exceptions were already available for five other professions completing an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended): medical practice; physiotherapy; dentistry; optometry and veterinary practice. The use of the qualification title ‘Doctor of …’ is also permitted for two Masters Degree (Extended) qualifications in podiatry: the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Doctor of Clinical Podiatry.

Individuals who have been awarded a Doctoral Degree at AQF Level 10 are entitled to use the title ‘Doctor’. This includes Pharmacists, noting there are restrictions related to advertising the title ‘Doctor’ in a health setting (see below).

Are there any restrictions on how the title ‘Doctor of’ or ‘Dr of’ can be used?

Yes. The use of the title ‘Doctor of’ must comply with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Guidelines for Advertising a Regulated Health Service. When the title ‘Doctor’ or ‘Dr’ is used it should be made clear it refers to the profession the health practitioner holds registration in. Pharmacists will need to make it clear that their qualification title refers to pharmacy – Doctor of Pharmacy.

How is a pharmacy degree at AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) different to a Masters Degree or other post graduate pharmacy courses?

To enter into a Masters Degree (Extended), you must have completed a minimum of a 3 year AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree qualification.

The purpose of the Masters Degree (Extended) is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice and as a pathway for further learning. The Masters Degree (Extended) is designed so that graduates will have undertaken a program of structured learning with some independent research and a significant proportion of practice-related learning. Graduates are also required to have an extended understanding of recent developments in a discipline and its professional practice.

As this qualification is designed to prepare graduates to engage in a profession, the practice-related learning must be developed in collaboration with a relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body.

Under the AQF, the volume of learning of a Masters Degree (Extended) is typically 3 – 4 years following completion of a minimum of a 3-year AQF Level 7 Bachelors Degree qualification.

Providers are required to show the difference in the qualification. 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 qualifications, 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.

Does the change to the Issuance Policy change pharmacy registration requirements?

No. For information about registration requirements, please go to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.