(1) This policy provides guidance for determining professional experience and its equivalence to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification levels. It assists UNE to fulfill its obligation to ensure staff have the knowledge, skills and experience to lead students in intellectual inquiry suited to the nature and level of expected learning outcomes. (2) This policy is applicable to all UNE staff who teach or supervise within approved higher education programs and who are employed by UNE or a Third Party Provider. (3) Within this policy: (4) As well as relevant knowledge and skills in the discipline, UNE teaching and supervisory staff will normally have a qualification of at least one AQF qualification level higher than the unit of study being taught or supervised, or have equivalent professional experience and expertise. Professional experience must be current and relevant to the area being taught and must be demonstrated by the criteria outlined in this policy. (5) The following table includes guidance for demonstrating professional experience equivalence for Unit Coordinators, teachers within units, and principal and co-supervisors. (6) Where the knowledge, skills, and qualification or equivalent experience or expertise requirements (see Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 3.3.2) are not fully met by UNE staff involved in unit coordination, teaching or supervision, additional support in teaching, marking or supervision will be required as a condition of their employment. This support includes: (7) Tutors, demonstrators and markers are qualified by: (8) Expert Guest Lecturers, Peer Assisted Learning Partners and cultural experts may be appointed to provide distinctive expertise in teaching activities. They are appointed at the discretion of the Head of School (or delegate) and do not require a minimum qualification. The decision of the Head of School (or delegate) is final. (9) Evidence for establishing equivalent professional experience may include, but is not limited to: (10) UNE recognises existing professional designations when assessing academic staff against the professional experience equivalence criteria. (11) UNE may accept the international equivalents of professional registrations or designations. (12) The Head of School (or delegate) is responsible for ensuring employment of appropriately qualified staff: (13) The Head of School (or delegate) is responsible for ensuring that the AQF level or equivalent professional experience of each teaching and supervisory staff member within each (14) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, pursuant to Section 29 of the University of New England Act 1993 (NSW), makes this University policy. (15) The Policy Steward, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, is authorised to make procedures and processes for the effective implementation and operation of this policy, and to publish as associated documents any tool that will assist with compliance. (16) The Policy Administrator for this policy is the Director Governance and University Secretary who is authorised to make minor administrative updates to this policy. (17) (18) This policy is consistent with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2021 and the Australian Qualifications Framework 2013. (19) This policy operate as and from the Effective Date. (20) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this policy, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer may approve an exception to this policy where the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer determines the application of this policy would otherwise lead to an unfair, unreasonable or absurd outcome. Approvals by the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer under this clause must be documented in writing and must state the reason for the exception. (21) Education Quality will provide an annual report on AQF Equivalency by (22) The report will include: AQF plus 1 and Professional Experience Equivalence Policy
Section 1 - Overview and Scope
Part A - Australian Qualifications Framework +1 policy
Part B - Equivalency Criteria
Higher Education level being taught
Required AQF qualification in relevant discipline
Factors to be considered for equivalency
AQF level 5 Diploma
AQF level 6 Advanced Diploma
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF 7 or higher program
c. Registration (or equivalent) to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 3 years relevant professional experience within the last 5 years
e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
AQF level 6 Advanced Diploma
AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF 7 or higher program
c. Registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 3 years relevant professional experience within the last 5 years
e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
AQF level 6 Associate Degree
AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF 7 or higher program
c. Current registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 3 years relevant professional experience within the last 5 years e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree
AQF level 8 Honours Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF level 8 or higher program
c. Current registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 3 years relevant professional experience within the last 5 years
e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
AQF level 8 Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma
AQF level 9 Master’s by research or coursework
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF level 9 or higher program
c. Current registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 3 years relevant professional experience within the last 5 years
e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
AQF level 9 Master’s Degree (Coursework)
AQF level 10 Doctorate by research or coursework
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF level 10 program
c. Current registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 6 years relevant professional experience within the last 10 years
e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
g. Fellowship of a nationally recognised professional/vocational body requiring advanced extensive work experience, professional standing and ongoing professional development
AQF level 9 Master’s Degree (Research)
AQF level 10 Doctorate by research
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF level 10 program
c. Current registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 6 years relevant professional experience within the last 10 years
e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
g. Fellowship of a nationally recognised professional/vocational body requiring advanced extensive work experience, professional standing and ongoing professional development
AQF 10 HDR Training (Principal Supervision)
AQF level 10 Doctorate by research
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF level 10 program
c. Current registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 6 years relevant professional experience within the last 10 years
e. Be currently research active in accordance with the requirements of UNE’s HDR Research Activity and Publication for Higher Degree Research Supervisors
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and/or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
plus any additional training required by UNE to be registered as a principal supervisor.
AQF 10 HDR Training (Co- supervision)
AQF level 10 Doctorate by research
and/or an appropriate combination of:
b. Enrolment in a relevant AQF level 10 program
c. Current registration to practice within a relevant profession (where applicable)
d. 6 years relevant professional experience within the last 10 years
e. Be currently research active; have published academic papers or presented refereed papers presented at international or national conferences over the past 5 years (min number to be determined by
f. Current or recent membership of an Academic Board or other formal academic governance committees and working groups; leadership in development of academic standards relevant to the discipline, unit field or unit; leadership or management of research acknowledged by peers; and or engagement with peer review and quality assurance (internal or external)
plus any additional training required by UNE to be registered as a co-supervisor.
Tutors/Demonstrators/Markers
Required AQF level
Professional Experience Equivalence
A qualification in a relevant discipline one AQF level higher than the unit
Expert Guest Lecturers, Peer Assisted Learning Partner and Cultural Experts
Part C - Evidence for Equivalency Criteria
Recognition of Professional Designations
Part D - Responsibility for Equivalency Assessment and Record Keeping
Section 2 - Authority and Compliance
Authority
Compliance
Section 3 - Quality Assurance
View Current
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a. AQF level 5Schools )
a. AQF level 6 Schools )
a. AQF level 6 Schools )
a. AQF level 7 Schools )
a. AQF level 8 Schools )
a. AQF level 9 Schools )
a. AQF level 9 Schools )
a. AQF level 9
a. AQF level 9 Schools )
opportunities for co-teaching or supervision alongside staff who meet the AQF level or equivalent professional experience standard.
a. A qualification or the equivalent of a qualification in a relevant discipline at the same level as the unit and in receipt of professional development support and supervision that assures high quality teaching
or
b. Demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes for the unit(s) being taught to an exceptional level (D or HD), and in receipt of professional development support and supervision that assures high quality teaching. This includes Doctoral candidates teaching in their area of study.