ABSTRACT
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a ‘first generation’ qualifications framework (Tuck 2007, 1) that was established in 1995. Its purpose was to create ‘a comprehensive, nationally consistent yet flexible framework for all qualifications in post-compulsory education and training’ (Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board 2007, 1). It encompasses all post-compulsory qualifications in Australia which includes senior school certificates, vocational education and training (VET) qualifications and higher education qualifications. It is often portrayed as a good example of a relatively ‘weak’ or ‘loose’ qualifications framework because it does not have a direct role in accrediting qualifications or in quality assurance. Jack Keating (2003, 16) explains that the influence of the AQF ‘depends upon the willingness of the powerful partners to use it as a framework to advance reforms’. This has been both strength and weakness of the AQF. It has had the most impact on VET where it has been pivotal in creating a national VET system and nationally recognised VET qualifications, but its influence has been less in universities and difficult to discern in the senior school certificates (Keating 2008a).
