Volume of learning
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) uses 'volume of learning' to describe how long a typical student will take to develop the required skills and knowledge to be competent at each qualification level. Volume of learning represents all teaching, learning and assessment activities – supervised and unsupervised, structured, and unstructured.
The AQF 'volume of learning' range is therefore a baseline you can use to determine the amount of training you need to provide. The typical student is assumed to not have any existing competency.
The AQF expresses volume of learning in equivalent full-time years. The general accepted length of a full-time year for education is 1200 hours.
Volume of learning ranges for VET qualifications
AQF Volume of learning – Certificate level
| Certificate I | Certificate II | Certificate III | Certificate IV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5–1 year | 0.5–1 year | 1–2 years* | 0.5–2 years^ |
| 600–1200 hours | 600–1200 hours | 1200–2400 hours | 600–2400 hours |
* Certificate III qualifications are often the basis for trade outcomes and undertaken as part of a traineeship or apprenticeship. In these cases, up to four years may be required to achieve the learning outcomes.
^ Certificate IV qualifications are often either:
- shorter-duration specialist qualifications that build on existing skills and knowledge
- longer-duration qualifications that are designed as entry-level requirements for specific work roles.
AQF Volume of learning – Diploma level
| Diploma | Advanced Diploma | Graduate Certificate | Graduate Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 years | 1.5–2 years | 0.5–1 year | 1–2 years |
| 1200–2400 hours | 1800–2400 hours | 600–1200 hours | 1200–2400 hours |