The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single, coherent framework for qualifications from Senior Secondary Certificates through to Doctoral Degrees. The framework links together all these qualifications and is a quality-assured national system of educational recognition that promotes lifelong learning and a seamless and diverse eduction and training system. It covers qualifications issued by secondary schools, vocational education and training (VET) providers and higher education institutions. All qualifications are nationally recognised. Within the framework there are six VET qualifications available: Certificates I, II, III and IV; Diploma and Advanced Diploma. For the purposes of qualifications, the vocational education and training sector defines ‘competency’ as the possession and application of both knowledge and skills to defined standards, expressed as outcomes, that correspond to relevant workplace requirements and other vocational needs. Individuals issued with qualifications will also receive documentation that identifies the units of competency that have been achieved when training is based on nationally endorsed competency standards. Individuals who complete only some of the requirements for the qualification will receive a Statement of Attainment. A Statement of Attainment is a record of recognised learning which, although falling short of a qualification, may contribute towards a qualification outcome, either as partial completion of a course leading to a qualification, attainment of competencies, or completion of nationally accredited short course which may accumulate towards a qualification. The Statement of Attainment will include, either on the Statement itself or as an attachment, the whole units of competency that have been achieved when training is based on nationally endorsed competency standards. |