Appendix 1: Glossary

Advanced standing

A form of credit for any previous learning.

AQF

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is Australia’s national system of qualifications encompassing all post-compulsory education.

Campus

Physical site of program delivery, operating under the full resolution of the higher education provider's governing body.

Core curriculum

Subjects covering the competence areas required by CPA Australia.

Distance education

Generally a program delivery mode that's heavily based on distance education materials, with minimal or no student contact hours. Some higher education providers may supplement the learning materials with tutorials or workshops.

Higher Education Program (Program)

A bachelor's degree or postgraduate award defined as higher education in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) or New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) (or overseas equivalent).

Higher education provider

A body that is recognised by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in Australia or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to issue qualifications in the higher education sector. This body may be a university or a self-accrediting or non-self-accrediting institution.

IES

International Education Standards (IES) address the principles of learning and development for professional accountants.

IFAC

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is the global organisation for accounting professionals dedicated to strengthening the profession in the public interest. IFAC contributes to the development of high-quality standards and guidance and facilitates their adoption.

NZQA

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is responsible for the quality assurance of non-university tertiary training providers in New Zealand.

NZQF

The New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) is the definitive source of accurate and current information on quality assured qualifications in New Zealand.

The Professional Bodies

A term which refers to both CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Schools of Accounting

Accounting programs exist in several different formats, like being run directly by faculties, schools or departments. In the interest of uniformity, all are referred to in these guidelines as "Schools of Accounting" irrespective of differences that may exist within individual higher education providers' organisational structures.

Subject

Specific subject or unit of study within a higher education program.

TEQSA

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent national regulator of the higher education sector.

Twinning program

An arrangement by a higher education provider where students undertake studies with two educational providers (either in Australia, New Zealand or overseas) expressly designed to lead to the completion of an agreed higher education award.