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Australian Qualifications Framework levels

The Framework is structured around levels of descriptive criteria, with formal qualifications aligned to the appropriate levels.

Framework AQF Level Description summaries Qualifications Time Level 10 Level 9 Level 8 Level 7 Level 6 Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Graduates at this level will have systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and/or for professional practice.
  • Doctoral degree
  • 3 to 4 years
Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning.
  • Masters degree (extended)
  • Masters degree (coursework)
  • Masters degree (research)
  • 3 to 4 years
  • 1 to 2 years
  • 1 to 2 years
Graduates at this level will have advanced knowledge and skills for professional/highly skilled work and/or further learning.
  • Graduate diploma
  • Graduate certificate
  • Bachelor honours degree
  • 0.5 to 1 year
  • 0.5 to 1 year
  • 1 year
Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning.
  • Bachelor degree
  • 3 to 4 years
Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further learning.
  • Associate degree
  • Advanced diploma
  • 2 years
  • 1.5 to 2 years
Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for skilled/paraprofessional work and/or further learning.
  • Diploma
  • 1 to 2 years
Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialised and/or skilled work and/or further learning.
  • Certificate IV
  • 0.5 to 2 years
Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for work and/or further learning.
  • Certificate III
  • 1 to 2 years
Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for work in a defined context and/or further learning.
  • Certificate II
  • 0.5 to 1 year
Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for initial work, community involvement and/or further learning.
  • Certificate I
  • 0.5 to 1 year