The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a national policy that sets the standards for qualifications in the Australian education and training system. It provides a framework for the recognition and comparison of qualifications across different education sectors and institutions in Australia. The AQF covers qualifications from the school level through to higher education, vocational education, and training.

The framework consists of ten levels, each representing a different qualification type and level of complexity. These levels range from Certificate I (entry-level vocational qualifications) to Doctoral Degree (the highest level of academic qualification). Each level has specific criteria and learning outcomes that must be met to achieve the corresponding qualification.

The AQF also incorporates the concept of "learning outcomes," which focus on what an individual is expected to know, understand, and be able to do upon completion of a qualification. This emphasis on learning outcomes helps facilitate the recognition of prior learning and allows for flexible pathways between different qualifications.