AQF Level 6

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree qualifies individuals who apply specialised knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning.

Summary

Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further learning.

Knowledge

Criteria: Graduates at this level will have broad theoretical and technical knowledge in one or more areas of work and learning.

Descriptor: Graduates of an Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree will have broad knowledge with substantial depth in some areas in one or more areas of work and learning.

Skills

Criteria: Graduates at this level will have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to:

• analyse and evaluate information to complete a range of activities
• interpret and transmit solutions to complex problems

Descriptor: Graduates of an Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree will have cognitive and communication skills to analyse, plan and present ideas and information; and technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives.

Application of Knowledge & Skills

Criteria: Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility in varied contexts and within broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.

Descriptor: Graduates of an Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with autonomy and well-developed judgement in a broad range of technical and professional contexts.

Volume of Learning

The volume of learning is typically 1.5–2 years.

Pathways

Each qualification accredited as an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree will include documented pathways consistent with the AQF Qualifications Pathways Policy. These qualifications provide a pathway to Bachelor Degree qualifications.

Key Information