Is ACSF level 3 the same as Certificate 3?

It is important to note that the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) does not match the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).

• The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) has 10 levels from certificate 1 to Doctoral Degree.
• The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) has 5 core skills, each with 5 levels (1-5) as well as a pre-level 1.

Certificate 3 is not equal to ACSF level 3.

Core skill levels are not based on qualification levels – two different qualifications as the same certificate level can have very different core skill levels associated with them.

For example, some certificate 4 qualifications reflect a higher understanding of mathematical processes (level 4 numeracy) while other certificate 4 qualifications have a much lower focus on numeracy (level 2 numeracy).

The core skills associated with a qualification are based on the requirements of a job that a qualification relates to or prepares you for. Core skills are not a pre-requisite for training but are an outcome to be gained or bolstered through training.

Please refer to the ACSF website for information on how to interpret the profile of a course or quiz results.