Higher education in Australia refers to university and non-university
higher education institutions which award degree or sub-degree
qualifications. The three main cycles of higher education are Bachelor,
Master and Doctoral studies. Higher education providers are established
or recognised by or under the law of the Commonwealth, a State, the
Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory. The provider has
to be approved by the Australian Government Minister for Education
before it can receive grants or its students can receive assistance from
the Commonwealth.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) higher education
qualifications are knowledge-based rather than competency-based (as in
the vocational education and training sector).