Qualifications

Adult Senior Secondary

Year 11 and Year 12 courses for adults, including the Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate, the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC), the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET), the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE), the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

Statement

Statements are awarded upon the completion of accredited training programs, individual units of competency and preparatory education, including foundation courses and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).

Certificate I

Certificate I recognises basic vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes preparatory and participation skills and knowledge such as literacy and numeracy, communication skills, working in teams, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies.
Certificate I qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Certificate II

Certificate II recognises basic vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes preparatory and participation skills and knowledge such as literacy and numeracy, communication skills, working in teams, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies. Certificate II qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Certificate III

Certificate III recognises more complex vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes training at the apprenticeship level, as well as more advanced skills in literacy and numeracy, communication skills, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies. Certificate III qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Certificate IV

Certificate IV recognises more complex vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes training at the apprenticeship level, as well as more advanced skills in literacy and numeracy, communication skills, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies. Certificate IV qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Diploma

Diplomas prepare candidates for self-directed application of skills and knowledge based on fundamental principles and/or complex techniques, and recognise the student's capacity for initiative and judgment across a broad range of technical and/or management functions. Diplomas are offered in both the VET and higher education sectors, by TAFE institutes, universities and private Registered Training Organisations.

Advanced Diploma

Advanced diplomas prepare candidates for self-directed application of skills and knowledge based on fundamental principles and/or complex techniques. They recognise the student's capacity for initiative and judgment across a broad range of technical and/or management functions. They are more specialised than diplomas, signifying a higher level of personal accountability and more complex skills and knowledge. Advanced diplomas are offered in both the VET and higher education sectors, by TAFE institutes, universities and private Registered Training Organisations.

University Certificate

Some universities offer certificates for special programs. The subjects may be a subset from another qualification such as a bachelor degree. A certificate normally takes one year of full-time study or equivalent to complete.

Associate Degree

An associate degree is a parallel award to diploma and advanced diploma, but has a more theoretical content and may lead into a bachelor degree. Associate degrees are offered by a small number of universities and other higher education providers.

Bachelor

A bachelor degree is a higher education sector qualification that provides initial preparation for professional careers and postgraduate study. Graduates will possess a range of academic and vocational attributes such as an understanding of a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and its underlying principles and concepts; communication and problem solving skills; the ability to undertake research, analyse information and apply knowledge and techniques learnt within an academic or professional context; skills for self-directed and lifelong learning; and interpersonal and teamwork skills appropriate to employment and/or further study. Bachelor degrees are offered by universities and other Registered Training Organisations, including TAFE institutes and private colleges.

Graduate Certificate

Graduate certificates broaden the skills already gained in an undergraduate program or develop vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Postgraduate Certificate

Upon completion of an undergraduate course, a postgraduate certificate develops vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Graduate Diploma

Graduate diplomas broaden skills already gained in an undergraduate program, provide further specialisation within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge or develop vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Postgraduate Diploma

Upon completion of an undergraduate course, a postgraduate diploma develops vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Masters Degree (by Coursework)

Masters degrees (by coursework) enhance specific professional or vocational skills through directed coursework. More than one third of the course is undertaken by coursework.

Masters Degree (by Research)

The acquisition of in-depth understanding in a specific area of knowledge, involving a minimum of two thirds of the course being undertaken by research.

Doctoral Degree (by Coursework)

Original research (including a literature review, experimentation or other systematic approach to the relevant body of knowledge) that results in a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding and/or the application of knowledge within a discipline or field of study. Coursework usually comprises more than one third of the course.

Vocational Graduate Certificate

Vocational graduate certificates broaden skills already gained in a relevant qualification, such as an advanced diploma, and are generally combined with relevant vocational practice to broaden knowledge and skills within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge.

Vocational Graduate Diploma

Vocational graduate diplomas broaden skills already gained in a relevant qualification, such as a vocational graduate certificate, and are generally combined with relevant vocational practice to broaden knowledge and skills within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge.

Masters Degree (Extended)

The acquisition of an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice and as a pathway for further learning, typically 3 to 4 years after the completion of a bachelor degree. These degrees are limited to a small number of fields, including veterinary science, medicine, dentistry, optometry and physiotherapy.

Mode of Study

External

Also called 'distance education', 'off-campus' or 'correspondence'. These courses offer full- or part-time study by mail, video recording or other forms of communication. On-site attendance for tutorials, exams or workshops may be required.

Flexible Delivery

Courses that are offered in a range of ways (e.g. competency-based or self-paced) and in a variety of locations (e.g. at a workplace, study centre or community centre) to suit the needs of the individual.

Full-time Internal

Full-time students have a full load of study and are expected to attend on site most days of the week.

Online

These courses are offered online via the internet.

Part-time Block or Day Release

These students study part time, completing required face-to-face classes in intensive sessions one day per week (day release) or in larger blocks of a week or more at a time (block release).

Part-time Internal

Attendance at these courses requires less than a full load of study. Class attendance on site may be day, evening or a combination, which allows students to combine work or other commitments with study.

Weekend

Courses are offered on site over the weekend, allowing students to combine full-time work with full-time study.