Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree Level provides a highly specialised knowledge and skills base, incorporating theoretical, technical, creative or conceptual skills, with substantial depth in some areas.

The focus is on applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions. Education at this level includes analysing information and concepts at an abstract level and executing judgements across a range of technical and management functions.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

This narrow level comprises the following detailed levels:

411  Advanced Diploma
412  Statement of Attainment at Advanced Diploma Level
413  Associate Degree
414  Statement of Attainment at Associate Degree Level
415  Bridging and Enabling Course at Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree Level

Advanced Diploma provides a specialised knowledge base with depth in some areas and wide-ranging, highly specialised technical, creative or conceptual skills.

The focus is on applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions. Education at this level includes analysing information and concepts at an abstract level and executing judgements across a range of technical and management functions.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

The duration is typically the equivalent of three years of full-time study although this may vary according to the pathway taken. Examples of possible pathways include work-based training, school or other educational institution-based training, an accumulation of short courses, or recognition of prior learning either wholly or in combination with a training programme.

This category also includes Undergraduate Diplomas issued under the Register of Australian Tertiary Education.

Statement of Attainment at Advanced Diploma Level is a record of recognised learning either as partial completion of a course, attainment of competencies within a Training Package or completion of a nationally accredited short course which may contribute towards a qualification at Advanced Diploma Level.

The focus is on applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions. Education at this level includes analysing information and concepts at an abstract level and executing judgements across a range of technical and management functions.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

Duration of education at this level may vary.

Associate Degree provides a specialised knowledge base with depth in some areas. Programmes at this level generally parallel Bachelor Degree programmes in the same or a closely related field.

The focus is on applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide variety of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions. Education at this level includes analysing information and concepts at an abstract level.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

The duration is typically the equivalent of two years of full-time study and may constitute the first two years of a Bachelor Degree programme.

Statement of Attainment at Associate Degree Level is a record of recognised learning either as partial completion of a course, attainment of competencies within a Training Package or completion of a nationally accredited short course which may contribute towards a qualification at Associate Degree Level.

The focus is on applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide variety of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions. Education at this level includes analysing information and concepts at an abstract level.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

Duration of education at this level may vary.

Bridging and Enabling Course at Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree Level provides specific background knowledge to allow further detailed study at a level higher than Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree Level for students who do not have the pre-requisite subject matter knowledge or who have not studied for some time.

The focus is on applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

Duration of education at this level may vary.

Diploma Level provides a broad knowledge and skills base, incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas.

The focus is on the application of theoretical concepts and technical or creative skills to a range of situations and the evaluation of information. Education at this level may also develop basic management and administrative skills.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

This narrow level comprises the following detailed levels:

421  Diploma
422  Statement of Attainment at Diploma Level
423  Bridging and Enabling Course at Diploma Level

Diploma provides a broad knowledge and skills base, incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas.

The focus is on the application of theoretical concepts and technical or creative skills to a range of situations and the evaluation of information. Education at this level may also develop basic management and administrative skills.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

The duration is typically the equivalent of two years of full-time study although this may vary according to the pathway taken.  Examples of possible pathways include work-based training, school or other educational institution-based training, an accumulation of short courses, or recognition of prior learning either wholly or in combination with a training programme.

This category also includes Associate Diplomas issued under the Register of Australian Tertiary Education.

Statement of Attainment at Diploma Level is a record of recognised learning either as partial completion of a course, attainment of competencies within a Training Package or completion of a nationally accredited short course which may contribute towards a qualification at Diploma Level.

The focus is on the application of theoretical concepts and technical or creative skills to a range of situations and the evaluation of information. Education at this level may also develop basic management and administrative skills.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

Duration of education at this level may vary.

Bridging and Enabling Course at Diploma Level provides specific background knowledge to allow further detailed study at a level higher than Diploma Level for students who do not have the pre-requisite subject matter knowledge or who have not studied for some time.

The focus is on the application of theoretical concepts and technical or creative skills to a range of situations and the evaluation of information.

Entry to this level is by various pathways which may include the completion of Year 12 or equivalent, or completion of a recognised programme and/or recognition of prior learning.

Duration of education at this level may vary.