Skills and qualifications
After you've successfully completed your study at university or with a training provider, you'll receive a nationally recognised qualification.
These qualifications are regulated under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and each have a AQF level ensuring consistency and common understanding of what defines each qualification.
Qualification levels
School
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education—in Queensland, this is the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Post school education (from lowest to highest)
- Certificate I
- Certificate II
- Certificate III
- Certificate IV
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree
- Vocational Degree, Bachelor Degree
- Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
- Masters Degree
- Doctoral Degree.
Generally, universities offer courses from Diploma to Doctoral Degree, and training providers offer courses from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma (with some offering Graduate Certificates and Diplomas).
Queensland schools also offer certificate courses as part of Years 10, 11 and 12.
National standards
The Australian Qualifications Framework sets out what a student should be able to do once they finish their course. This means expectations of graduates' skill levels are the same across the country.
For example, a Certificate I should give students basic skills for work, further learning, and living in the community. A Diploma should give graduates advanced skills in an area of work or learning (e.g. business, information technology, hospitality).
Read more about qualification levels and learning outcomes.
Study time
How long it takes to finish a course will vary depending on your existing qualifications and experience, the course you choose and the way you study (e.g. full or part-time).
There is generally no set study time for vocational education and training courses (like certificates and diplomas). Students are awarded a qualification when they gain the required skills and knowledge.
As a broad guide, if you study full-time, it should take 4–18 months to complete most certificate courses, and 1–2 years for a Diploma. Higher education courses, such as degrees, are usually delivered over a set time. A Bachelor Degree at university may take 3–4 years to finish.
Related information
- Learn more about studying at university.
- Read more about vocational education and training.