| π Australian vs Indian Qualification Frameworks | |||||
| AQF Level (Australia) | Australian Qualification | Indian Equivalent (Approx.) | Pathway to Next Level in Australia | Pathway to Next Level in India | π Key Points in Comparison |
| AQF 1β2 | Certificate IβII (basic vocational skills) | Class 10 / ITI entry-level | β Certificate III or IV | β Higher Secondary (Class 11β12) / ITI Year 2 | |
| AQF 3 | Certificate III (trade-level skills) | Class 12 (Vocational) / ITI | β Certificate IV or Diploma | β Polytechnic Diploma (3 yrs) or Bachelor entry | |
| AQF 4 | Certificate IV (supervisory skills) | Polytechnic Diploma (1β2 yrs after 12th) | β Diploma (AQF 5) or Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) | β Polytechnic Diploma / Bachelor entry | |
| AQF 5 | Diploma (e.g., Production Horticulture) | Polytechnic Diploma (3 yrs after 10th) or Diploma after 12th | β Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) or Bachelor Degree (AQF 7, often with credit transfer) | β Bachelorβs Degree (lateral entry in 2nd year for some diplomas) | 1. Vocational vs Academic: 1. AQF Certificates IβIV & Diplomas are vocational/skills-based. 2.Indian diplomas are similar (polytechnics, ITIs, agricultural diplomas). |
| AQF 6 | Advanced Diploma / Associate Degree | Advanced Diploma (less common in India) or part-Bachelor equivalent | β Bachelor Degree (AQF 7) | β Bachelorβs Degree (regular) | π Graduate Visa (Subclass 485 β Temporary Graduate, Vocational Education & Training (VET) Stream)
β
Key Requirements: 1. Course Type : You must complete a CRICOS-registered course in Australia. 2. Study Length : Must be at least 2 academic years (92 weeks CRICOS duration). Completed in no less than 16 calendar months while in Australia. 3. Visa Status : You must have held a student visa while studying. 4. Age : Must be under 50 years. 5. English Requirement : IELTS (overall 6.0, no band < 5.0) or equivalent, unless exempt. 6. Lodgement Timeframe : Apply within 6 months of course completion. |
| AQF 7 | Bachelor Degree (BA, BSc, BCom, BEng, etc.) | Indian Bachelor (BA, BSc, BCom, BTech, etc.) | β Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma (AQF 8) or Master (AQF 9) | β Masterβs Degree (MA, MSc, MBA, MTech) | π About the VET Stream Duration ο If eligible, the Temporary Graduate Visa (485) β VET stream grants 18 months stay in Australia (sometimes longer if concessions apply). ο During this time, you can live, work full-time, and study. |
| AQF 8 | Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma | Indian PG Diploma (AICTE/UGC) | β Master Degree (AQF 9) | β Masterβs Degree | |
| AQF 9 | Master Degree (Coursework/Research) | Indian Master Degree | β Doctoral Degree (AQF 10) | β MPhil / PhD | |
| AQF 10 | Doctoral Degree (PhD) | Indian PhD | β Post-doctoral research, academic/research careers | β Post-doctoral research, academic/research careers | |
