The professional organisation responsible for a qualification requests that SERI reference the qualification to the NQF VPQ. This form is drafted and submitted by the professional organisation responsible for the given qualification.
Professional organisations can apply for a simplified referencing of qualifications to a standardised level or for individualised referencing whereby qualifications are placed at a different level.
Simplified referencing of qualifications
.Past experience has shown that most qualifications of a given type tend to be assigned to the same reference level within the NQF VPQ. Such qualifications can therefore be referenced more quickly by means of the simplified referencing process. This option also reduces the workload on the professional organisation submitting the application.
Simplified referencing process
SERI proposes a standard reference level for each type of qualification. The professional organisation indicates this standard reference level in its application. SERI then sends the professional organisation a draft certificate supplement (for vocational qualifications) or diploma supplement (for professional qualifications) for the given qualification. This document can then be changed as needed.
Standard reference levels for each type of qualification
Federal Certificate of Vocational Education and Training (two-year VET programmes): 3
Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (three- and four-year VET programmes): 4
Federal Diploma of Higher Education (federal professional examination): 5
Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (federal professional examination): 6
Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (formal study programme): 6
The official list of qualifications referenced to the NQF VPQ is updated twice a year. Inclusion in this list makes the references legally valid.
The timing of publication is generally as follows:
Applications received by 1 September: Reference published on 1 January.
Applications received by 1 March: Reference published on 1 July.
Document on simplified referencing of qualifications
