Regulatory
Alignment

The International Qualification Framework (IQF) is designed to provide a transparent and internationally comparable framework for professional qualifications. To support this objective, the IQF Independent Regulatory Council (IQF-IRC) benchmarks the IQF against established national, regional and international qualification frameworks, regulatory principles and quality-assurance systems.

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This process helps ensure that IQF level descriptors, assessment expectations and quality-assurance requirements can be understood in relation to established international approaches to qualifications. Benchmarking is conducted independently by IQF-IRC and does not imply endorsement, approval, partnership or formal recognition by the external organisations or public authorities referenced.

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Our Approach to International Alignment
 

Comparative Framework Analysis

IQF-IRC reviews established qualification frameworks and regulatory systems to identify common principles relating to:

• qualification levels and level descriptors;

• knowledge, skills, competence and professional autonomy;

• learning outcomes;

• assessment requirements;

• qualification size and learning volume;

• quality assurance;

• accreditation and regulatory oversight;

• recognition of prior learning; and

• progression between qualification levels.

This enables the IQF to be developed and reviewed with reference to established international practice rather than operating as an isolated qualification system.

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Framework Benchmarking

The IQF uses comparative analysis to assess how its individual levels relate to established qualification frameworks.

Benchmarking considers the overall complexity and demands of a qualification rather than relying solely on qualification titles.

Factors considered may include:

• depth and complexity of knowledge;

• application of knowledge in professional practice;

• problem solving and critical evaluation;

• degree of autonomy and responsibility;

• complexity of professional decision-making;

• leadership and strategic responsibility;

• creation and application of new knowledge;

• assessment demand; and

• expected learning volume and professional experience.

Where appropriate, this analysis allows IQF-IRC to identify areas of broad comparability between IQF levels and levels used within established national or international frameworks.

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Qualification Mapping

IQF-IRC may also independently evaluate qualifications developed outside the IQF to determine their potential alignment with an IQF level.

Mapping considers the qualification as a whole, including its stated learning outcomes, assessment processes, entry requirements, level of professional responsibility, qualification size and supporting quality-assurance arrangements.

Where sufficient evidence exists, IQF-IRC may determine that an external qualification demonstrates competencies comparable with a particular IQF level.

Such mapping represents an independent assessment within the IQF system. It does not mean that the external awarding organisation, qualification authority or public regulator has endorsed, approved or formally recognised the IQF or the mapped qualification unless this has been separately confirmed.

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International Reference Frameworks

The development and ongoing review of the IQF draws upon published frameworks, standards and regulatory principles from established public qualification and education systems internationally.

 

Reference points include frameworks and published materials associated with organisations and systems such as:

• Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and Ofqual – England

• European Qualifications Framework (EQF) – European Union

• Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) – Scotland

• Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) – Wales

• New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) and NZQA – New Zealand

• Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) – Australia

• Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) – Australia

• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) – Australia

• South African National Qualifications Framework and SAQA – South Africa

• Malaysian Qualifications Framework and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) – Malaysia

• European ENIC-NARIC networks – Europe

• Relevant published qualification and quality-assurance principles from national education authorities internationally

 

The frameworks and organisations considered may change as international qualification systems develop and as the IQF itself is periodically reviewed.

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What Alignment Means

Within the IQF, alignment means that a framework, qualification or level has been independently compared against relevant IQF descriptors and principles to identify areas of comparability.

 

Alignment can help:

institutions understand the level and demands of a qualification;

• employers interpret professional qualifications from different systems;

• qualification providers design programmes against transparent international descriptors;

• practitioners understand possible progression between qualification levels; and

• support international professional portability.

 

Alignment does not require two qualification systems to be identical.

Different frameworks may use different terminology, qualification structures, credit systems and assessment approaches while still demonstrating broadly comparable levels of complexity, responsibility and professional competence.

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What Alignment Does Not Mean

Unless expressly stated, IQF alignment or benchmarking does not mean that:

a government has approved or endorsed the IQF;
academic qualifications and professional qualifications are interchangeable; or
an IQF qualification replaces any statutory licence, registration or qualification required by local law.

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These distinctions are important because the IQF operates as an international professional qualification framework rather than as a governmental qualifications framework.

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Professional and Academic Comparability

The IQF includes professional qualifications extending from foundational education through to advanced professional practice and strategic leadership.

References to established qualification levels are used to describe the complexity, autonomy, knowledge and professional competence associated with an IQF level.

For example, where an IQF level is described as professionally aligned with postgraduate or advanced Level 8 descriptors, this refers to the level of professional competencies being assessed. It does not mean that an IQF professional certification itself confers an academic bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.

Academic qualifications remain awards of appropriately authorised higher education institutions.

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Independent Oversight

IQF-IRC is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the IQF and overseeing the application of its standards.

Its functions include:

• maintaining and periodically reviewing IQF level descriptors;

• reviewing qualification alignment;

• overseeing accreditation requirements;

• establishing quality-assurance expectations;

• monitoring assessment and certification standards;

• supporting transparent qualification mapping;

• maintaining appropriate separation between qualification delivery, accreditation and regulatory oversight; and

• reviewing the framework as professional and international qualification systems develop.

This provides a consistent basis for evaluating qualifications while allowing the IQF to evolve in response to criticism, evidence and changes in international professional practice.

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Transparency

IQF-IRC aims to make the basis of its alignment decisions clear and open to scrutiny.

Where qualifications or external frameworks are mapped against the IQF, such mappings should be understood as independent IQF-IRC determinations based on the evidence available at the time of review.

Mappings may be reviewed where new evidence, revised qualification specifications or changes to external frameworks provide good reason to reconsider an earlier determination.

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Important Disclaimer

IQF-IRC is an independent, non-governmental voluntary regulatory council. References to public regulators, qualification authorities, qualification frameworks or other external organisations are provided solely to explain the comparative and benchmarking methodology used by IQF-IRC.

Unless expressly stated, such references do not indicate affiliation, partnership, endorsement, accreditation, approval or reciprocal recognition by the organisations concerned.

For authoritative information about a governmental framework or public regulatory system, users should consult the relevant official authority.