Qualifications
Accreditation of a course or qualification means that the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) is satisfied that:
- the aims and learning outcomes of the course and its assessment processes are appropriate
- the course is likely to achieve its purpose
- its contents meet national standards.
Courses and qualifications are accredited within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and all accredited courses or qualifications have national recognition.
Qualifications in each education sector include:
| Schools sector | Vocational education and training sector | Higher education sector |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | ||
| Masters Degree | ||
| Graduate Vocational Diploma | Graduate Diploma | |
| Graduate Vocational Certificate | Graduate Certificate | |
| Bachelor Degree | ||
| Associate Degree | ||
| Advanced Diploma | Advanced Diploma | |
| Diploma | Diploma | |
| Certificate IV | ||
| Senior | Certificate III | |
| Secondary | Certificate II | |
| Certificate of Education | Certificate I |
The VRQA also accredits short courses which are not part of the Australian Qualifications Framework. Some courses have been designed to meet specific licensing requirements. Examples of accredited short courses include:
- Course in Industrial Fire fighting
- Course in Workforce Re-entry
- Course in Wheelchair-accessible Taxi Services
Senior secondary qualifications
The following qualifications are designed to be undertaken in a school at Years 11 and 12:
- the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
- the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)
- the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma).
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) will accredit senior secondary courses for Victorian students on advice from:
- the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) (www.vcaa.vic.edu.au) which develops courses for VCE and VCAL and awards the VCE and VCAL results and certificates.
- the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) (www.ibo.org) which designs and awards the International Baccalaureate Diploma which is offered in many countries and in other states in Australia.
Courses and qualifications in VET
Training Packages are sets of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications used to recognise and assess people’s skills in a specific industry, industry sector or enterprise. Training Packages are developed by industry and endorsed nationally by the Ministers of all states and territories. Training Packages are listed on the National Training Information Service (NTIS).
Gaps are identified in Training Packages as new industries or sectors emerge in Victoria, or skills change. The VRQA accredits courses and qualifications to meet these needs where no relevant qualification exists.
For further information on course accreditation visit the VET Accreditation pages of this site.
Courses and qualifications accredited by the VRQA are listed on the VRQA online database and also on the National Training Information Service (NTIS) as they have national recognition.
Qualifications offered in higher education
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 chapter 4, Division 5, gives the VRQA the authority to accredit qualifications offered in higher education by TAFE Institutes, private providers and non self-accrediting universities.