A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Following is a list of definitions of Australian education and training terms used on the Government Education Portal. If you are unable to find the term you are looking for in this list, please contact us.
A
AARE Australian Association for Research in Education
AARNet see Australia's Academic and Research Network
Aboriginal Study Assistance Scheme see ABSTUDY.
Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) The Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) provides supplementary tutorial assistance to Indigenous students in primary/secondary school, TAFE, university and formal training programmes. The objective of ATAS is to assist Indigenous students to achieve educational outcomes equal to those of other Australians.
ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics.
ABSTUDY Aboriginal Study Assistance Scheme, a government scheme providing a means-tested living allowance and other supplementary benefits to eligible indigenous students in school or further education.
ACACA see Australasian Curriculum Assessment Certification Authorities
Accessibility Accessible web design is the design of web pages so that they can be navigated and read by everyone, regardless of location, experience, or the type of computer technology used. Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the web.
ACE see Adult and Community Education.
ACER see Australian Council for Educational Research.
ACPET see Australian Council for Private Education and Training.
ACSSO Australian Council of State School Organisations.
Adult and Community Education (ACE) part time, non-accredited short courses, primarily for adults, provided in community based and informal settings; including leisure entertainment, self development, art, craft, outdoors, business and computing courses.
Adult Learning Australia Inc. (ALA) the national peak body representing organisations and individuals in the adult learning field.
Adult Migrant English Program (or AMEP) a program of basic English language tuition to migrants and refugees from non-English speaking backgrounds. AMEP is funded by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
ACIVC see Australian Council of Independent Vocational Colleges.
AEI see Australian Education International.
AGQTP see Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme.
AICTEC see Australian Information and Communications Technology in Education Committee
ALA see Adult Learning Australia Inc.
AMEP see Adult Migrant English Program.
AMES NSW Adult Migrant English Service.
ANTA see Australian National Training Authority.
APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Program
AQF see Australian Qualifications Framework.
AQTF see Australian Quality Training Framework.
ARC see Australian Research Council.
ASCILITE Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education
ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Australasian Curriculum Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA) the national body for the chief executives of the statutory bodies in the Australian States and Territories and in New Zealand, responsible for certificates of senior secondary education. Its purpose is to promote curriculum, assessment and certification in schooling functions within the framework of the Commonwealth of Australia and its States and Territories.
Australian Apprenticeships the scheme formerly known as 'New Apprenticeships'. Australian Apprenticeships (called apprenticeships and traineeships in some states) combine the practical paid work with structured training to give young people nationally recognised industry qualifications. Australian Apprenticehips are 'competency based', which means they can be completed as soon as students achieve the requisite skill level. Formal agreements known as 'Training Agreements' or 'Contracts of Training', set out the training and supervision an employer must provide for the employee, as well as the employee's obligations as an Australian Apprentice.
Australian Apprenticeships Access Program (AAAP) a program providing job seekers who experience barriers to skilled employment, with pre-vocational training, support and assistance to obtain and maintain an Australian Apprenticeship.
Australian Apprenticeships Centre (formerly New Apprenticeship Centre) an organisation providing information and assistance to job seekers, students, career advisers and employers on apprenticeships and traineeship arrangements.
Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) an educational research centre, committed to creating and distributing educational research, products and services.
Australian Council of Independent Vocational Colleges (ACIVC) a peak industry association representing private sector education providers primarily in the vocational and technical education sector.
Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) a national industry association for independent providers of post-compulsory education and training, for Australian and International students.
Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet) a not-for-profit company providing high-capacity leading-edge Internet services for the tertiary education and research sector communities and their research partners.
Australasian Curriculum Assessment Certification Authorities (ACACA) the national body for the chief executives of the statutory bodies in the Australian States and Territories and in New Zealand responsible for certificates of senior secondary education, providing a national means for monitoring and enhancing developments in senior secondary curriculum and certification.
Australian Education International (AEI) part of the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST); AEI integrates the development of international government relations in the field of education with support for the commercial activities of Australia's education community.
Australian Education Union (AEU) the national peak union and lobby group representing teachers and allied educators in public schools, colleges, early childhood centres, and vocational settings.
Australian Flexible Learning Framework (2005-2006 Framework) a national strategy that provides the vocational education and training (VET) system with e-learning skills development opportunities, products, resources and support networks. It particularly focusses on the e-learning needs of students and communities, business and industry, Indigenous learners and people with disabilities.
Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme (AGQTP) is the Australian Government's initiative for supporting quality teaching and school leadership by funding professional learning activities for teachers under agreements with state and territory government and non-government education authorities.
Australian Information and Communications Technology in Education Committee (AICTEC) a cross-sectoral, national committee responsible for providing advice to all Australian Ministers of Education and Training on the economic and effective utilisation of online technologies in Australian education and training.
Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) previously the Australian Government statutory authority with reponsibility for the development of national policy, goals and objectives for the vocational education and training sector. ANTA's responsibilities were transferred to the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) on 1 July 2005. Vocational and technical education comes under the authority of the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE) which is comprised of the Australian Government and State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for Vocational and Technical Education.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) a unified national system of qualifications in schools, vocational education and training, and the higher education sector.
Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) comprises nationally agreed standards to ensure the quality of Vocational Education and Training (VET) services across Australia. It provides clear, auditable national standards for registered training organisations (RTOs) as well as standards for state and territory registering/course accrediting bodies.
Australian Research Council (ARC) an independent body providing advice to the Australian Government on investment in national research. ARC supports the highest quality research and research training through national competition in all fields of science, social sciences and the humanities; and brokers partnerships between researchers and industry, government, community organisations and the international community.
AUSTUDY a payment providing income support to students aged 25 years or more and studying or undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship full-time.
Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC) previously the council of Australia’s university presidents representing Australian universities nationally and internationally. Became known as Universities Australia in May 2007.
B
Board of Studies NSW (BOS) the body responsible for setting the core curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 12 in New South Wales, and manages the New South Wales School Certificate external Tests (Year 10) and the Higher School Certificate Examinations (Year 12).
C
Centrelink an agency of the Department of Human Services responsible for the administration of the social security system. This includes a range of payments and support services for the Australian community.
COAG see Council of Australian Governments
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) an online database of courses and educational institutions registered to offer courses for overseas students in Australia.
Council of Australian Governments (COAG) the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). The role of COAG is to initiate, develop and monitor the implementation of policy reforms of national significance and that require cooperative action by Australian governments.
Continuing education short courses, programs, or organised learning experiences to enhance personal or professional goals often within the Continuing Education Department of a university.
Cooperative Research Centres Program (CRC) a program established to improve the effectiveness of Australia’s research and development effort. It links researchers with industry to focus research and development efforts on progress towards utilisation and commercialisation. It also has a strong education component with a focus on producing graduates with skills relevant to industry needs.
CRICOS see Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.
CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
Curriculum Corporation an independent education support organisation owned by all Australian education ministers; its purpose is to facilitate collaborative curriculum development among school systems. It is the major provider of curriculum materials and services in Australia.
D
DEEWR see Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Department of Education (DoE) Tasmania
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) Victoria
Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) South Australia
Department of Education and Training (DET) New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia.
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) the Australian Government Department which has responsibility for Education; Employment and Workplace Relations; Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector; Youth; and Employment Participation.
Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) see Department of Education, Empoloyment and Workplace Relations.
Department of Education, Training and the Arts Queensland.
Department of Employment and Training (DET) Queensland.
Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) Northern Territory.
Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) South Australia.
DfEE (in the UK) Department for Education and Employment.
Dusseldorp Skills Forum an independent, non-profit association with a charter to stimulate innovative educational developments, to focus upon the importance of the workforce in the continuing development of Australia, and to reach out to the wider community to promote the formation of skills and personal effectiveness, particularly in young people.
E
edna (Education Network Australia) - a service that aims to support and promote the benefits of the Internet for learning, education and training in Australia. It is organised around Australian curriculum, its tools are free to Australian educators, and it is funded by the bodies responsible for education provision in Australia - all Australian governments.
Education (1) the imparting or acquisition of knowledge, skills, understanding, attitudes. (2) the knowledge, skills, understanding, attitudes acquired. (3) the field of study concerned with teaching and learning and related topics.
education.au a national ICT agency for education and training, owned by the National, State and Territory education and training Ministers. The business of the agency is to develop and manage online services that are of benefit to the education and training community and that are national in scope.
Education Network Australia see edna.
Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and associated legislation providing the legal framework governing the responsibility of education institutions towards overseas students studying in Australia on student visas.
EEO Equal Employment Opportunity.
ELICOS English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.
ENTER see Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank
Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank a ranking score given in Victoria to a student at the time of satisfactory completion of the final year of secondary education, used to determine entrance into university.
ESB English-Speaking Background; contrasts with NESB.
ESL English as a Second Language.
ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages.
ESOS see Education Services for Overseas Students.
F
FEE–HELP a loan programme that assists eligible fee–paying students to pay their tuition fees at eligible higher education providers. Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa are eligible for FEE–HELP assistance.
FLAG see Flexible Learning Advisory Group
Flexible delivery a range of approaches giving learners a choice on what, when, where and how they learn. It may include e-learning, online learning, distance learning.
Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG) is a strategically focused group of senior VET personnel who provide advice to a number of national bodies on national issues related to the directions and priorities for flexible learning in vocational education and training.
FOI Freedom of Information
H
HECS-HELP formerly the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) HECS-HELP is a loan available to eligible students enrolled in Commonwealth supported university places and covers all or part of the student contribution amount.
Higher Education Loan Scheme (HELP) gives eligible higher education students access to deferred payment arrangements. The HELP scheme comprises 3 types of loans: HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, or OS-HELP (for undergraduates).
Higher education education at degree level and above. In the Australian Qualifications Framework, higher education courses are those leading to the award of an associate degree, bachelor's degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree or doctoral degree. Some courses leading to the award of a diploma or advanced diploma may also be accredited as higher education. Most higher education in Australia is offered by universities. A number of non-university providers also offer accredited higher education courses.
HSC (NSW) Higher School Certificate. See also Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
I
ICT Information and Communication Technologies
IELTS International English Language Testing System.
Indigenous education education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) a scheme of individual tutorial assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to help them in completing their school, VET, and higher education courses and to achieve their best possible academic outcomes.
Information literacy the ability to locate, obtain, use and evaluate information resources.
IT Information Technology
ITAS see Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme
L
Labour market the interaction between the supply of labour services (workers) and the demand for labour services (employment).
LAFHA Living Away From Home Allowance.
LearnScope national project funded by ANTA. Through work-based learning, funded LearnScope projects develop professional skills, knowledge and understandings needed to apply new learning technologies to achieve more flexible learning in VET.
Lifelong learning the ongoing self-motivated formal and informal learning undertaken throughout life.
LLN Language, Literacy and Numeracy.
LOTE Language(s) Other Than English.
M
MCEETYA see Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs.
MCVTE see Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education.
Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE) comprised of the Australian Government and State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for Vocational and Technical Education. The Council has overall responsibility for the National Training System.
Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) a Council comprising the Territory, Australian Government and New Zealand Ministers with responsibility for the portfolios of education, employment, training and youth affairs. The areas of responsibility covered by the Council are pre-primary education, primary and secondary education, vocational education and training, higher education, employment and linkages between employment/labour market programs and education and training, adult and community education, youth policy programs and cross-sectoral matters.
N
National Centre for Vocational Education Research (or NCVER) a not-for-profit company owned by the federal, state and territory ministers responsible for training; it is responsible for collecting, managing, analysing, evaluating and communicating research and statistics about Vocational Education and Training (VET).
National Code the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students. All providers on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) are required to comply with the code requirements.
National Literacy and Numeracy Benchmarks a set of indicators or descriptors which represent nationally agreed minimum acceptable standards for literacy and numeracy at a particular year level. In this context ‘minimum acceptable standard’ means a critical level of literacy and numeracy without which a student will have difficulty making sufficient progress at school.
National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI NOOSR) the Australian national coordinating body on overseas skills assessments and recognition. AEI NOOSR provides a range of information and advisory and training services for individuals or organisations on qualifications assessment and recognition.
National Protocols the National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes. This is a national quality assurance framework for providers of higher education services.
National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) a specialist national union solely representing staff in tertiary education.
National Training Information Service (NTIS) a service developed by federal and state governments to provide access to current and emerging market information and products in vocational education and training. The database includes VET accredited courses, competency standards, training packages and training providers.
NCVER see National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
NESB Non-English-Speaking Background.
NOOSR see National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition.
NTIS see National Training Information Service.
O
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
OHS Occupational Health and Safety.
Online learning education or training that relies upon the Internet or Intranet as the primary delivery mode.
OP see Overall Position
OPCET (in Tasmania) Office of Post-Compulsory Education and Training.
Open Universities Australia national specialist distance education agency owned and partnered by seven Australian Universities. Units of study and qualifications are the same as those awarded to on-campus students. Students learn at their own pace, when and where it suits them. Previously known as Open Learning Australia (OLA).
OS-HELP a loan scheme to assist eligible undergraduate students to undertake some of their course of study overseas.
OTTE (in Vic) Office of Training and Tertiary Education.
Overall Position (OP) a ranking score given in Queensland to a student at the time of satisfactory completion of the final year of secondary education, used to determine entrance into university.
P
PRISMS Provider Registration and International Student Management System
Post-compulsory education education beyond the compulsory age prescribed by state or territory statute.
Professional continuing education the process of learning and updating professional expertise.
Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) a secure system for Australia education providers providing the Confirmation-of-Enrolment facilities required for compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.
Q
QTAC see Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre.
Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) provides and operates a centralised tertiary application system for admission to all undergraduate courses offered by the publicly funded universities in Queensland, Bond University, the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania, and to some courses at universities in Northern New South Wales and selected courses at Queensland institutes of TAFE, the Queensland Agricultural Colleges and some private providers of post secondary courses.
R
Recognition of Prior Learning (or RPL) formal acknowledgement of competencies (skills, knowledge and attitudes) gained as a result of previous formal training, work experience and/or life experience. It is an alternative informal learning pathway towards a qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Reframing the future the national staff development and change management program underpinning the implementation of the national training system.
Registered Training Organisation (RTO) an organisation registered by a state or territory recognition authority to issue qualifications under the Australian Quality Training Framework in the vocational and technical education sector.
RPL see Recognition of Prior Learning.
RTO see Registered Training Organisation.
School-based Apprenticeships apprenticeships undertaken by students whilst still at school, and at the same time as completing school studies.
Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program (SNAP) a test of the numeracy achievements of Year 7 students in New South Wales.
Secondary schools (or high schools) following primary school, for students from Years 7 to 12 (or 8 to 12 in some states).
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (or SSCE) a national title for senior secondary school qualifications issued by the state and territory governments. Each state or territory has its own senior secondary certificate of education.
SES socio-economic status.
SNAP see Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program.
South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) receives and processes applications for the universities and TAFE institutes in South Australia.
SSCE see Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
Syllabus an outline of subjects to be taught in a course of study.
T
TAFE a publicly funded post-secondary educational institution (Technical and Further Education) which provides a range of technical and vocational education and training courses and other programs. Each state and territory has its own TAFE system.
Tasmanian Qualifications Authority (TQA) the authority responsible for matters related to the certification of Tasmanian trainees and students.
TCE Tasmanian Certificate of Education. See also Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
Technical college colleges catering for Year 11 and 12 students who wish to study for their Year 12 certificate and start an apprenticeship whilst still at school.
TER see Tertiary Entrance Rank .
Tertiary admissions centre statebased centralised admissions office for undergraduate university and, in some states, TAFE courses. The Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have a central admissions office.
Tertiary education formal education beyond secondary education. It includes higher education and Vocational and Technical Education.
Tertiary Entrance Rank a ranking score given by the institution, or some other body, to a student at the time of satisfactory completion of the final year of secondary education, and shows relativity with other TER students. It is used in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania as criteria for allocating places in university or vocational courses.
TESOL Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language.
Training package an integrated set of nationally endorsed competency standards, assessment guidelines and qualifications for a specific industry, industry sector or enterprise.
U
UAI see University Admissions Index
UMAP see University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific Programme
UNESCO United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Universities Australia peak body representing the Australian university sector both nationally and internationally. Formerly known as the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC)
University Admissions Index (UAI) a ranking score given in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to a student at the time of satisfactory completion of the final year of secondary education, used to determine entrance into university.
University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific Programme (UMAP) a program providing funding to Australian higher education institutions to subsidise the cost of their establishing and monitoring, and of Australian students' participation in, UMAP student exchanges with counterpart higher education institutions in the Asia Pacific Region.
V
VCE Victorian Certificate of Education. See also Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
VET in Schools (Vocational Education and Training) program that allows school students to undertake vocational studies with their school curriculum, leading to a senior secondary certificate and a nationally recognised VET qualification within the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) a centralised admissions centre for most undergraduate university and TAFE courses in Victoria.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) post-compulsory education and training, excluding degree and higher level programs delivered by higher education institutions, designed to develop occupational skills.
Vocational learning general learning that has a vocational perspective. It includes elements such as generic employability skills, enterprise education, career education, and community and work-based learning.
VQA Victorian Qualifications Authority. State accreditation and registration body of Victoria responsible for developing and monitoring standards for education and training after Year 10 (excluding higher education).
VTAC see Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre.
W
Workplace assessment the assessment of skills and competency in the place of employment to ensure the employee has reached the required standard.
