Australian Post-School Qualifications Explained.

For those of use who are new to the world of post-school education (otherwise known as tertiary education), it can be very difficult to understand what all the different qualifications mean and which one is right for us. Below, you can read about all the official post-school qualifications, which broadly speaking, come in three types:

Certificate
Diploma
Degree

However, according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which specifies the standards for tertiary qualifications in Australia, officially, they come in 10 levels. The higher the level, the higher the qualification.

Post-school qualifications can also be divided into two sectors;

Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Higher Education

VET qualifications are lower-level qualifications than those offered in the higher education sector. VET courses typically have more emphasis on occupational skills for specific industries and roles rather than academic learning. Higher Education courses typically have more emphasis on academic learning, knowledge, theory, personal attributes, the development of professional and transferable skills.

To summarise, that’s three types, 10 official levels and two official sectors.

Certificate (levels 1 – 4)

Certificates Overview

Certificates are Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications, they prepare students for community involvement, particular employment and further learning.

Certificates are the basic, entry-level post-school qualifications (except for the Graduate Certificate [see ‘Other’ below], which sits a step above the Bachelor’s Degree)
Certificates come in five levels, from lowest to highest, these are the Certificate I, Certificate II, Certificate III, Certificate IV and Graduate Certificate
Certificates generally take between zero and two years to complete
Certificates are nationally recognised Australian qualifications
Certificates are typically delivered by Registered Trading Organisations (RTOs) and TAFE
Certificate quality and overall standards are specified or ‘put forth’ by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Certificate quality and overall standards are regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the national regulatory body for VET
Certificates cover a huge-range of disciplines including make-up, business, agriculture and hospitality

As certificates are nationally recognised Australian qualifications, their standards (as specified in the AQF) are accredited, regulated and assured by ASQA. Furthermore, in order to deliver a certificate qualification, course providers must meet standards maintained by ASQA called the ‘Standards for Registered Trading Organisations (RTOs) 2015’. These standards are used to ensure national consistency of training and assessment for certificate courses. This means that certificate courses are of the same quality standard, value and assured recognition, regardless of where you earn them.

Certificate I (level 1)

Duration: generally takes less than one year to complete.

The Certificate I will qualify you with basic functional skills and knowledge for initial work, community involvement, and or further learning. The Certificate I is an entry-level course and as such typically doesn’t require students to have any prior knowledge or education to take the course. If you’re new to studying, haven’t taken a course in a long time, or just need a very basic introduction to a particular field, the Certificate I qualification is ideal for you.

Certificate II (level 2)

Duration: generally takes less than one year to complete.

The Certificate II will qualify you with practical skills and knowledge to work in a defined context (mainly routine work) and or undergo further learning. Like the Certificate I, the Certificate II is an entry-level course and as such usually doesn’t require students to have any prior knowledge or education to take the course. The Certificate II is a suitable place to get a taste of what an industry has to offer, it is also very popular among people wishing to up-skill to improve their employment opportunities.

Certificate III (level 3)

Duration: generally takes six months to two years to complete.

The Certificate III qualifies you with more advanced skills and knowledge than the Certificate I and II. The Certificate III will qualify you with some theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for work and or further learning. However, unlike the Certificate I and II, the Certificate III typically requires students to have an Australian Year 10 School Certificate (or equivalent), already hold a Certificate I or II or demonstrate a certain level of work experience to take the course.

Certificate IV (level 4)

Duration: generally takes six months to two years to complete.

The Certificate IV is the highest Certificate you can achieve. The Certificate IV qualifies you with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialised work and or skilled work and or further learning. Like the Certificate III, the Certificate IV typically requires students to have an Australian Year 10 School Certificate (or equivalent), already hold a Certificate I, II or III or demonstrate a certain level of work experience to take the course.

Diploma (levels 5 – 6)

Diplomas Overview

Diplomas are Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications, they prepare students with specialised knowledge and skills for advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and further learning.

Diplomas are a higher than a certificate courses, but a step below degree courses (except for the Graduate Diploma [see ‘Other’ below], which sits a step above the Bachelor’s Degree, and the Advanced Diploma, which is the same level as an Associate Degree [see ‘Other’ below])
Diplomas are available in three levels, from lowest to highest, these are the Diploma, Advanced Diploma and the Graduate Diploma
Diplomas generally take between one and two years to complete
Diplomas are nationally recognised Australian qualifications
Diplomas are typically delivered by Registered Trading Organisations (RTOs) and TAFE
Diploma quality and overall standards are specified or ‘put forth’ by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Diploma quality and overall standards are regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the national regulatory body for VET
Diplomas cover a huge-range of disciplines including make-up, business, agriculture and hospitality

As diplomas are nationally recognised Australian qualifications, their standards (as specified in the AQF) are accredited, regulated and assured by ASQA. Furthermore, in order to deliver a diploma qualification, course providers must meet standards maintained by ASQA called the ‘Standards for Registered Trading Organisations (RTOs) 2015’. These standards are used to ensure national consistency of training and assessment for certificate courses. This means that diploma courses are of the same quality standard, value and assured recognition, regardless of where you earn them.

Diploma (level 5)

Duration: generally takes six months to two years to complete.

The Diploma course is one step up from the Certificate IV, and as such, involves more time, in-depth studies and assessments. Diplomas qualify you with specialised knowledge and skills for advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and or further learning. To study the Diploma, students are typically required to have completed Australian Year 12 (or equivalent), already hold a Certificate IV, or demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge gained through work experience. Many Diploma courses include a work placement component, ensuring you can gain crucial experiences under industry professionals. Furthermore, Diploma courses may provide you with credit towards a bachelor’s degree.

Advanced Diploma (level 6)

Duration: generally takes eighteen months to two years to complete.

The Advanced Diploma is more in-depth and longer than the regular Diploma. The Advanced Diploma qualifies you with specialised knowledge and skills for highly skilled work or paraprofessional work and or further learning. To study the Advanced Diploma, students are typically required to have completed Australian Year 12 (or equivalent), already hold a regular diploma qualification, or demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge gained through work experience. Many Advanced Diploma courses include a work placement component, ensuring you can gain crucial experiences under industry professionals. Furthermore, Advanced Diploma courses may provide you with credit towards a bachelor’s degree.

Degree (levels 7 – 10)

Degrees Overview

Degrees are the Australian Higher Education qualifications. Unlike diplomas and certificates, they typically have more emphasis on academic learning, knowledge, theory, personal attributes, the development of professional and transferable skills, rather than industry specific occupational skills.

Degrees are the highest level post-school qualifications (except for the Bachelor’s Degree, which is a step below the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma [see ‘Other’ below], and the Associate Degree [see ‘Other’ below], which is the same level as the Advanced Diploma)
Degrees come in five levels, from lowest to highest, these are the Associate Degree [see ‘Other’ below], Bachelor’s Degree, Bachelor Honours Degree [see ‘Other’ below], Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree
Degrees generally take between one and four years to complete
Degrees are internationally recognised qualifications
Degrees are typically delivered by universities
Degree quality and overall standards in Australia are specified or ‘put forth’ by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Degree quality and overall standards in Australia are regulated by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the national regulatory body for Higher Education
Degrees cover a huge-range of disciplines including science, mathematics, history, business, arts, law and medicine

As degrees are internationally recognised (accredited) qualifications, their standards are consistently regulated and assured. In Australia, their standards (as specified by the AQF) are accredited, regulated and assured by TEQSA. Furthermore, in order to deliver a degree qualification in Australia, course providers must meet standards maintained by TEQSA called the ‘Higher Education Standards Framework 2015’. These standards are used to ensure consistency of training and assessment for degree courses. This means that degree courses are of the same quality standard, value and assured recognition, regardless of where you earn them in Australia.

Bachelor’s Degree (level 7)

Duration: generally takes three to four years to complete (this depends on whether you’re studying full-time or part-time).

The Bachelor’s Degree is the base university qualification. This course qualifies you with broad and coherent theoretical, practical and academic knowledge and skills in a range of contexts for professional work and or further learning. However, entry into the bachelor’s degree can be very competitive, depending on the field of study. Prospective students will may need to meet a certain academic standard higher than others as typically there are limited spaces.

Master’s Degree (level 9)

Duration: generally takes one to four years to complete.

The Master’s Degree is an advanced degree typically completed after the person has completed their Bachelor’s Degree and as such, with the Master’s Degree you dig deeper into a specialised knowledge area. Entry to the Master’s Degree can be very competitive, often requiring students to meet a certain academic grade in their Bachelor’s Degree. There are three main forms of Master’s Degrees:

The Master’s Degree (Research): duration: generally takes one to two years to complete. This course qualifies you with an advanced body of knowledge and skills in a range of contexts for research and scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.

The Master’s Degree (Course Work): duration: generally takes one to two years to complete. This course qualifies you with an advanced body of knowledge and skills in a range of contexts for professional practice, scholarship and or further learning.

The Master’s Degree (Extended): duration: generally takes three to four years to complete. This course qualifies you with an advanced body of knowledge and skills in a range of contexts for professional practice and or further learning.

Doctoral Degree (level 10)

Duration: generally takes three to four years to complete.

The Doctoral Degree (or Ph.D.) is the highest qualification you can achieve. Unlike other qualifications, the Doctoral Degree is more about creating new knowledge, rather than studying existing knowledge. The Doctoral Degree will qualify you to apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more fields of investigation, scholarship or professional practice. You will be qualified with a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and or for professional practice. With the Doctoral Degree, you are a pioneer in your field, and after completing this course, you will become Dr. Your Name. Ph.D.

Other

Overview

There are other official Australian post-high school courses. These are the Associate Degree, Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate and the Graduate Diploma. These courses cover a huge-range of disciplines.

The overall standards of these courses are specified or ‘put forth’ by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
The quality and overall standards of these courses are regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) respectively (depending on whether they’re a VET or Higher Education qualification)

Associate Degree (level 6)

Duration: generally takes two years to complete.

This is an Australian Higher Education qualification. The Associate Degree sits at the same level as the Advanced Diploma. However, the Advanced Diploma is given to more practical courses, and the Associate Degree is given to more academic courses. The Associate Degree qualifies you with underpinning technical and theoretical knowledge and skills for paraprofessional work and or further learning.

Bachelor Honours Degree (level 8)

Duration: generally takes one year to complete.

This is an Australian Higher Education qualification. The Bachelor Honours Degree is a step above the Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor Honours Degree is accessible for those who performed at the top of their Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor Honours Degree qualifies you to apply a body of knowledge in a specific context for professional work, and as a pathway for research and further learning. Honours degrees which require an additional year of study atop the Bachelor’s Degree generally involve a research project and require the completion of a research thesis.

Graduate Certificate (level 8)

Duration: generally takes six months to one year to complete.

This is an Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. As the Graduate Certificate is deemed higher than a Bachelor’s Degree, to gain entry generally you must have graduated from a Bachelor’s Degree prior to undertaking studies or have significant skills and abilities in the field of study to exceed that of a Bachelor’s Degree (through work experience for example). The Graduate Certificate qualifies you to apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional or highly skilled work and or further learning.

Graduate Diploma (level 8)

Duration: generally takes one to two years to complete.

This is an Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. Like the Graduate Certificate, the Graduate Diploma is deemed higher than a Bachelor’s Degree. As such, to gain entry you must have graduated from a Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Certificate prior to undertaking studies or have significant skills and abilities in the field of study to exceed that of a Bachelor’s Degree (through work experience for example). The Graduate Diploma qualifies you to apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional or highly skilled work and or further learning.

Useful Links

To read more about Australian tertiary Education, click here.
To read more about the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), click here.
To read more about ASQA and TEQSA, click here.

References

Australian Government, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), “About ASQA“, retrieved 20/06/18
Australian Government, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), “About RTOs“, retrieved 20/06/18
Australian Government, “Higher Education“, retrieved 20/06/18
Australian Government, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), “What we do“, retrieved 20/06/18
Australian Government, “Vocational Education and Training“, retrieved 20/06/18
Australian Qualifications Framework, “AQF Levels“, retrieved 20/06/18
Australian Qualifications Framework, “AQF Qualifications“, retrieved 20/06/18
Australian Qualifications Framework, “What is the AQF?” retrieved 20/06/18