An addendum No. 7 has been published to the AQF Second Edition January 2013 to add a new qualification type to the AQF, the Vocational Degree.
AQF Qualification: Vocational Degree
The Vocational Degree is a new vocational education and training (VET) qualification in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and has been endorsed by Skills and Education Ministers.
It was introduced in response to findings in the 2023 Employment White Paper, and calls from industry, for more advanced skills training to support Australia’s workforce needs.
As the Vocational Degree is now a feature of the AQF, TAFE Centres of Excellence and Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) can consider the Vocational Degree as part of their qualification design toolkit.
The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) is the first JSC to support the introduction of the Vocational Degree by undertaking a comprehensive study of Vocational Degrees and apprenticeships undertaken at higher qualification levels. AUSMASA has noted that the Vocational Degree provides an exciting alternative to help students reach their career goals, including in the rapidly evolving mining and automative industries.
For more information on the Vocational Degree and the amendments to the AQF, visit the Australian Qualifications Framework website or visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website Vocational Degree for the VET sector.