If you are planning to study in Australia, one acronym turns up everywhere: the AQF, or Australian Qualifications Framework. It is the system that ranks every Australian qualification — from a short certificate to a PhD — on a single scale of 10 levels. Understanding it helps you choose the right course, see how a diploma can lead into a degree, and know exactly what your qualification will be worth.
What is the AQF?
The Australian Qualifications Framework is Australia's national policy for regulated qualifications. It places school, vocational (TAFE/VET) and university qualifications into one ten-level ladder, so that a qualification means the same thing no matter which institution issues it. It is the reference point universities, employers and the government use to compare qualifications and to decide on entry requirements and credit.
The 10 AQF levels
Each level describes the complexity and depth of learning, and the qualification that sits at it:
- Level 1 — Certificate I
- Level 2 — Certificate II
- Level 3 — Certificate III
- Level 4 — Certificate IV
- Level 5 — Diploma
- Level 6 — Advanced Diploma / Associate Degree
- Level 7 — Bachelor Degree
- Level 8 — Bachelor Honours Degree / Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma
- Level 9 — Masters Degree
- Level 10 — Doctoral Degree (PhD)
The higher the number, the more advanced the qualification. A Bachelor degree sits at level 7, a Masters at level 9, and a doctorate at the top, level 10.
Three pathways, one framework
The reason diagrams of the AQF usually show three columns — school, TAFE and university — is that the three sectors overlap on the same scale:
- Senior secondary (school): the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education sits at the foundation and feeds into both VET and university.
- TAFE and VET: vocational training delivers Certificates I–IV, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas (roughly levels 1–6).
- University (higher education): universities award qualifications from around level 5 up to level 10.
Because levels 5–7 are shared between VET and higher education, a Diploma or Advanced Diploma can earn you credit into a Bachelor degree. That overlap is the single most useful thing for an international student to understand.
Why the AQF matters when you are choosing a course
- Pathways. If your grades or budget do not yet suit a direct Bachelor entry, a Diploma (level 5) or Advanced Diploma (level 6) at a college or TAFE can lead into the second year of a related degree. This is a common, legitimate route for international students.
- Credit transfer. Knowing the level of your current and target qualifications helps you ask the right questions about advanced standing (credit) so you do not repeat study you have already done.
- Choosing the right level. Make sure the course you enrol in is the level you actually need — for example, a Graduate Certificate (level 8) is shorter and narrower than a full Masters (level 9).
- Recognition back home. Because the AQF level is standardised, it is easier to explain and have your Australian qualification recognised when you return or move on.
Recent additions
The AQF still has its 10 levels, but a few qualification types have been added by amendment in recent years, including the Undergraduate Certificate and the Vocational Degree. If a provider offers one of these, check which AQF level it sits at and how it fits your plans.
How this fits your study plan
Before you enrol, confirm the AQF level of the course, whether it offers credit from any study you have already completed, and whether it leads where you want to go next. A good consultancy will map this out for you — and you can read verified student reviews of Australia-focused consultancies on ConsultancyCheck before you commit. To plan the costs, try our study cost calculator, and to compare Australia with other destinations, see our destination comparisons.
*This is general information. The AQF is maintained nationally and course levels can change, so always confirm the current level and entry requirements with the institution and the official AQF site (aqf.edu.au) before you apply.*
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)?
The AQF is Australia's national system that ranks all regulated qualifications — school, vocational (TAFE/VET) and university — on a single scale of 10 levels, from Certificate I (level 1) to a Doctoral Degree (level 10). It makes qualifications consistent and comparable across institutions.
What AQF level is a Bachelor degree?
A Bachelor degree sits at AQF level 7. A Bachelor Honours degree, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are at level 8, a Masters degree is at level 9, and a Doctoral degree (PhD) is at level 10.
Can a Diploma lead to a Bachelor degree in Australia?
Yes. Because AQF levels 5–7 overlap between VET and university, a Diploma (level 5) or Advanced Diploma (level 6) can earn credit toward a related Bachelor degree — often entry into the second year. Confirm the exact credit with the university.
How many levels does the AQF have?
Ten. Levels 1–4 are the vocational certificates, level 5 is a Diploma, level 6 an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree, level 7 a Bachelor degree, level 8 Honours and graduate certificates/diplomas, level 9 a Masters, and level 10 a Doctoral degree.
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