Glossary A - E
Advanced Standing (also called credit recognition)
Recognition granted to a student on the basis of previous study (credit transfer) and / or experience (recognition of prior learning), exempting the student from a particular program or course (subject).
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
An education and settlement program funded by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for new immigrants and refugees providing English language teaching, counselling and support services.
Advanced Diploma
A qualification in the vocational education and training and higher education sectors.
Apprenticeship
A system of training regulated by law or custom which combines on-the-job training and work experience while in paid employment with formal off-the-job training. The apprentice enters into a contract of training or training agreement with an employer which imposes mutual obligations on both parties. Traditionally, apprenticeships were in trade occupations and were of four years’ duration.
Articulation
The arrangements which facilitate the movement or progression of students from one program to another, or from one education and training sector to another. E.g. from a TAFE program to a university program.
Assessment
The process of gathering and judging evidence in order to decide whether a person has achieved a standard or objective. See also competency-based assessment.
ATSI
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Audit
A systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining evidence.
AUSLAN
Australian Sign Language
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
A nationally consistent set of qualifications for all post-compulsory education and training in Australia.
Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF)
The nationally agreed recognition arrangements for the vocational education and training sector. The Australian Quality Training Framework is based on a quality assured approach to the registration of training organisations seeking to deliver training, assess competency outcomes and issue Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and / or Statements of Attainment and ensures the recognition of training providers and the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statements of Attainment they issue, across Australia.
AUSTUDY
An income support scheme for full-time students aged 25 years and over.
Centrelink
A statutory authority providing information and assistance relating to a range of Australian Government programs, including all services formerly provided by the Department of Social Security, as well as childcare and student assistance payments and services, registration of all new applicants for income support and employment assistance, self-help job search facilities, referrals for employment assistance, and specialist labour market assistance services for disadvantaged groups.
Certificates I–IV
A set of qualifications awarded in the vocational education and training sector and recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The four levels of certificate recognise increasing levels of skill.
Competency-based assessment (CBA)
The gathering and judging of evidence in order to decide whether a person has achieved a standard of competence.
Core competencies
Identifies units of competency within a competency standard that an industry has agreed are essential to be achieved if a person is to be accepted as competent at a particular level. All units may be core, but in many cases competency at a level will involve core units plus optional or specialisation units of competency. Core competencies are normally those central to work in a particular industry.
Course (also called subject, module or unit)
A unit of education or training which can be completed on its own or as part of a program. Courses may also result in the attainment of one or more units of competency.
Credit (also called advanced standing)
The acknowledgement that a person has satisfied the requirements of a course (subject) or unit of competency either through previous study (credit transfer) or through work or life experience (recognition of prior learning). The granting of credit exempts the student from that part of the program.
Credit Transfer
The granting of credit by an institution or training organisation to students for courses (subjects) or units of competency completed at the same or another institution or training organisation.
CRICOS (Australian Government Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students)
An online database of courses and educational institutions or providers who are registered to offer courses for overseas students in Australia.
Degree
A qualification conferred in the higher education sector on successful completion of a program of study or as an honour.
DET
Department of Employment and Training.
Diploma
A qualification in the vocational education and training and higher education sectors.
Disability
A physical or mental incapacity, either congenital or resulting from an injury or illness etc.
Distance education (also called external studies)
A mode of education in which students enrolled in a course do not attend the institution, but study off-campus and may submit assignments by mail or email.
EEO
Equal employment opportunity.
e-Learn
Southbank Institute learning centres that offers self-paced courses for self-improvement. Find out more
about e-Learn.
ELICOS
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.
Enrolment
The registration of a person with an education or training provider for the purpose of undertaking a program or course.
Entry requirements
The qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience required for entry to an education or training program.
ESL
English as a second language.
This glossary contains terms (including abbreviations) likely to be found on the Southbank Institute web site. Many of these terms have been drawn from the ANTA Glossary.
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Last updated 1 February, 2007