AQF levels are a component of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which is a national system of 10 levels that defines complexity and depth of knowledge and skills for Australian qualifications.

These levels range from:

• AQF Level 1: Certificate I, to
• AQF Level 10: Doctoral degree.

For University of Sydney courses, the AQF levels are as follows:

• Level 7: Bachelor degree
• Level 8: Bachelor (Honours), Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma
• Level 9: Masters degree
• Level 10: Doctorate degree

The Threshold Standards require that all academic teaching staff, including casual and fixed-term, meet the following criteria:

• Hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at least one AQF level higher than the course they teach, coordinate, or supervise (AQF+1), OR
• Have equivalent relevant academic, professional, or practice-based experience and expertise that is formally recognised.¹

Exceptions

For doctoral degrees, staff supervising candidates are required to hold a doctoral degree or have equivalent research experience.

These criteria are colloquially known as the “AQF+1 rule”.

If a staff member does not meet this requirement or have recognised equivalent experience, they are required to complete a Training and Supervision Program to gain recognised teaching experience.

¹ Details on qualification requirements and determining professional equivalence of teaching staff together with examples for how to determine equivalent experience are given in Schedule 2 of the Learning and Teaching Policy 2024.

As described above, the AQF level applies to the course, not to individual units of study. In most cases, the AQF level required to teach a unit is based on the AQF level of the course it belongs to:

Embedded programs (nested courses) below AQF 10

In programs where there are nested courses (such as Graduate Certificates or Diploma within a Masters degree, the highest AQF-level in the sequence determines the required teaching qualification.

For example,

• If a Graduate Certificate (AQF 8) or Graduate Diploma (AQF 8) is part of a Masters degree (Coursework) (AQF 9), academic teaching staff are required to be qualified to teach at AQF 9 level.
• If undergraduate and postgraduate students share classes, the teacher is required to be qualified to teach at the postgraduate level, because the classes must support the higher learning outcomes.

Shared units for developing core and enabling knowledge and skills

Some units are shared across courses at different AQF levels to develop core and enabling knowledge and skills. In these cases, the required educator qualifications should be based on the unit’s role in its primary discipline as determined by the faculty of teaching, not the AQF level of enrolled students.

For example,

• MATH1061 taught by the Faculty of Science.

A 1000-level unit that forms part of majors such as Mathematics within multiple Bachelor degrees (AQF 7). It is also taken by students in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (AQF 8). Teachers are required to be qualified to teach AQF 7 courses

• INFO1110 taught by the Faculty of Engineering.

A 1000-level unit that contributes to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (AQF 8). It is also taken by students from AQF 7 degrees such as the Bachelor of Science. Teachers are required to be qualified to teach AQF 8 courses. 

* Or a student who is enrolled in an AQF 8 qualification who has attained a minimum 144 credit points and has a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75.

For professional or research experience to be considered as equivalent to other requirements, the individual must have at least one of:

1. Leadership in developing professional standards or innovations in professional practice;
2. Performance in a senior role requiring high level judgement and provision of expert advice;
3. Experience managing significant projects in the relevant field;
4. Testimonials, awards, letters of support, or other recognition demonstrating leadership or expertise in the relevant field;
5. Contributions to the relevant field through participation in peak industry bodies, advisory boards, professional networks, or community organisations;
6. Recent peer reviewed publications in the relevant field;
7. Annual professional or clinical development endorsed by the relevant industry body;
8. Recognition as an influential contributor to the field, evidenced by invitations as a keynote speaker or appointment to an expert panel; or
9. Leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers.

This program provides a pathway for academic staff who do not currently hold an AQF+1 qualification, or have not yet attained recognised teaching experience, to meet the University’s eligibility requirements for teaching.

It supports compliance with the Learning and Teaching Policy 2024 and the Threshold Standards, ensuring the University maintains quality and consistency in teaching standards.

This program is designed for teachers involved in:

• Tutorial parts of Seminars, Tutorials, and Workshops
• Demonstration parts of Workshops, Practicals, and Demonstrations.

These roles are defined in Schedule 2 of the Learning and Teaching Procedures 2025.

Completion of this program is required for teachers who:

• Do not hold a qualification that is one AQF level higher than the unit(s) they teach, and
• Are teaching in
  1. demonstration activities in Workshops, Practicals, and Demonstration or
  2. tutorial activities in Seminars, Tutorials and Workshops

Even with training and supervision, teachers without an AQF qualification, or who hold an AQF 7 qualification and are enrolled in an AQF 8, may only teach in 1000 or 2000-level units of an AQF 7 or 8 degree.

The program spans the first two semesters of teaching (labelled A and B below) and is required to contain training, direct observation, support and evaluation.

The training and supervision program outlined below is a guidance model. The implementation of the program is locally determined by faculties in 2026 to meet the individual disciplinary needs. The Education and Students Portfolio will work with faculties to support local implementation. 

1.    Demonstration Activities Stream

(occurring in Workshops, Practicals, Demonstrations)

2.    Tutorial Activities Stream

(occurring in Seminars, Tutorials, Workshops)

Teachers who successfully complete both Semester A and B of the relevant stream (Tutorial or Demonstration) will be recognised as having Recognised Teaching Experience in accordance with the Learning and Teaching Policy 2024. This recognition confirms compliance with TEQSA requirements, demonstrates teaching quality, and supports ongoing professional development.