Understanding the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) For International Students

If you’re an international student planning to study in Australia – or already here – you might have seen the term ‘the Australian Qualifications Framework’ or AQF on university websites or government documents. But what is it, and why does it matter for your degree? Here’s a simple guide to the AQF levels and how they compare overseas.

The AQF And What It Means For You

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national system that defines all education qualifications in Australia. It ensures that qualifications across schools, TAFEs, universities, and training providers are consistent and nationally recognised.

Think of it as Australia’s way of making sure a diploma means the same thing whether it’s earned in Brisbane or Perth, and that degrees meet nationally agreed-upon standards.

The AQF includes 10 levels, from a Certificate I (Level 1) to a Doctoral Degree (Level 10).

AQF Levels at a Glance

Here is a table that shows each of the levels with a helpful example:

AQF Level	Qualification Type	Examples
Level 10	Doctoral Degree	PhD
Level 9	Master’s Degree	Master of Engineering, MBA
Level 8	Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Honours Bachelor Degree	Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Level 7	Bachelor Degree	Bachelor of Commerce, BA, BSc
Level 6	Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma	Associate Degree of Business
Level 5	Diploma	Diploma of Nursing
Level 4	Certificate IV	Certificate IV in Fitness
Level 3	Certificate III	Certificate III in Hospitality
Level 2	Certificate II	Entry-level trades and admin certs
Level 1	Certificate I	Basic job readiness qualifications

Why the AQF Matters for International Students

1. It defines the value of your qualification
   When you graduate from an Australian university, your degree comes with an AQF level attached. This helps employers and education systems overseas understand what level of education you’ve completed.
2. It ensures consistency and quality
   Because the AQF is a national system, you can trust that your course meets the same academic standards as any other course at that level in Australia.
3. It supports international recognition
   Many countries use frameworks like the AQF to evaluate foreign degrees. For example, European countries use the EQF (European Qualifications Framework), and Australia’s participation in the Bologna Process means AQF levels are generally easy to compare overseas.

How AQF Levels Align Internationally

Here’s a simplified comparison of how AQF levels generally align with other systems:

AQF Level	UK Equivalent	USA Approximate Level	China Approximate Equivalent
Level 10	Doctorate	PhD / Doctorate	博士学位 (Bóshì Xuéwèi) – Doctorate
Level 9	Master’s	Master’s	硕士学位 (Shuòshì Xuéwèi) – Master’s
Level 8	Honours Bachelor / Postgrad Cert	Bachelor + Honours / Grad Diploma	学士学位 + 进修或研究型课程 (Bachelor + research course)
Level 7	Bachelor	3-year Bachelor’s	学士学位 (Xuéshì Xuéwèi) – Bachelor’s Degree
Level 6	Associate Degree	Associate / Some UG credit	专科 (Zhuānkē) – Vocational/Junior College Degree

Keep in mind: Some countries, like the U.S., may expect four years of undergraduate study, so a 3-year Australian bachelor’s (AQF 7) might not always be recognised without honours (AQF 8) or a graduate diploma.

China also generally requires a four-year bachelor’s degree for postgraduate admission. Australian 3-year bachelor’s degrees (AQF 7) may sometimes require an additional honours year (AQF 8) or credential evaluation before being accepted for postgraduate study.

Example:
If you complete a three-year Bachelor of Business (AQF Level 7) in Australia, it may be fully recognised in the UK. But in the U.S. or China, you might need to add an honours year (AQF 8) or complete a graduate diploma for postgraduate study.

Want to know how your degree will be recognised overseas? Read our full guide to international recognition of Australian degrees here.

Where to Find Your AQF Level

You don’t need to guess—most universities clearly list the AQF level of each course on their website. You can also check official government pages like aqf.edu.au.

If you’re applying for further study or a visa abroad, it’s helpful to include your AQF level on your transcript or degree verification documents. Or if you’re planning to return home after graduation knowing your AQF level—and how it compares internationally—can help you avoid surprises.

Whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s, honours, master’s, or PhD, the AQF helps ensure your Australian qualification is clear, consistent, and competitive across borders.

Migration Tip:
If you’re considering applying for skilled migration in Australia after graduation, your AQF level and course type can impact your eligibility for post-study work rights and migration points. Always check Home Affairs – skilled visa guidelines.