© Australian Qualifications Framework Council June 2013 Page 1 Why have AQF qualifications?
Qualifications certify the knowledge and skills that a person has achieved through study, training, work and life experience. They are a measure of Australia’s intellectual capital, which is increasingly important in a society where unskilled jobs have disappeared and continuous upskilling is required in all forms of work and in day-to-day life.
An AQF qualification is the result of an accredited complete program of learning that leads to formal certification that a graduate has achieved learning outcomes as described in the AQF.
The key reasons for having AQF qualifications are to ensure national recognition and consistency as well as common understanding across Australia of what defines each qualification. They are also recognised by other countries.
AQF qualifications are developed using the AQF specifications, ensuring standards are maintained in describing educational outcomes and in allocating titles to the qualifications.
AQF qualifications:
facilitate access to employment through relating learning with work and to lifelong learning
are part of a single national framework of qualifications
are easily understood and compared within Australia by students, employers and education and training providers
can be used to access further learning
may be benchmarked against qualifications from other countries.
School, work-based qualifications and academic qualifications are part of a single system of qualifications, allowing maximum flexibility in career planning and continuous learning.
The AQF links together the qualifications and is a highly visible, quality-assured national system of educational recognition that promotes lifelong learning and a seamless and diverse education and training system.
