The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The AQF was established in 1995 and is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
The AQF has 10 levels that link school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life. If you are studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government authorised and nationally accredited, and that your degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.