Education System

Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,100 institutions and over 22,000 courses.

You can study at all levels of education from primary and secondary school, to vocational education and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education (including universities).

Regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote quality education and protection for international students.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

AQF allows to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) refers to the 14 qualifications awarded in Australian school, VET and higher education sectors.  The AQF also refers to the set of policies that regulate those qualifications.  Lastly the AQF refers to the integration of all those 14 qualifications from the school, VET and higher education sectors into one comprehensive qualifications framework.  The AQF is a shared responsibility of all Commonwealth, State and Territory governments.  AQF provides the standards for Australian qualifications and underpins confidence in Australia’s education and training system.

The AQF levels define the relative complexity and depth of achievement and the autonomy required of graduates to demonstrate that achievement.  As can be seen in the table above there are 10 levels in the AQF with level 1 having the lowest complexity and level 10 the highest complexity. The levels are defined by criteria expressed as learning outcomes.  The learning outcomes are constructed as a taxonomy of what graduates are expected to know, understand and be able to do as a result of learning.  They are expressed in terms of the dimensions of knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills.

A qualification normally offered in one sector may be provided by an institution in a different sector.  For example, some Senior Secondary Schools offer and confer Certificate courses to Year 12 students, or a VET provider may offer Senior Secondary Certificate of Education to adult students, or a University may offer Diploma courses.

Australian education courses that are not covered under the AQF:

English language courses (ELICOS) – Although not covered under AQF, a National ELICOS Standards exist to assure the quality of and regulate the ELICOS being provided to overseas students.  ESOS agencies in School, VET and Higher Education sectors administer the mandate of the Standards.

Foundation studies – Like ELICOS, a National Standards for Foundation Programs exist to regulate and quality assure the delivery of Foundation courses to international students.  Foundations programs are delivered by either a VET or Higher Education provider and as such ASQA and TEQSA administer compliance to the Standards.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program – The IB Diploma is an alternative to the regular curriculum that leads to a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education qualification.  Its curriculum, quality and delivery are governed by the International Baccalaureate organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Table below summarizes the different AQF qualifications in different levels and sectors.