Overview

Endorsed by countries between 2014 to 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Qualifications Reference Framework is a regional framework that enables education and training qualifications from participating Southeast Asian countries to be compared through a common reference structure. The framework does not replace national qualifications frameworks or require countries to redesign their national systems. Each participating country voluntarily references its national qualifications frameworks or qualifications systems to the regional framework, allowing users to better understand how qualification levels relate across countries.

The framework has eight levels, to which participating national qualifications frameworks can be referenced. Its objectives include:

• supporting recognition of qualifications
• facilitating lifelong learning
• encouraging national approaches to validating learning gained outside formal education
• supporting education and learner mobility
• supporting worker mobility
• increasing understanding and transparency of national qualifications systems
• promoting quality within qualifications systems.

The framework is an information and transparency mechanism. Referencing a national qualification to the regional framework does not itself constitute automatic recognition of the qualification; decisions about recognition remain with the responsible national authorities.

As of September 2026, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations portal lists completed referencing reports for:

• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• the Philippines
• Thailand
• Viet Nam.

Background

Development of the framework began in 2013, when a task force was established under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area Economic Cooperation Work Programme. The task force included representatives from trade, education, labor or manpower, qualifications, accreditation, and related agencies across member countries, with Australia and New Zealand participating as non-voting members.

The framework was endorsed by:

• Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Ministers in August 2014
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations Education Ministers in September 2014
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations Labour Ministers between November 2014 and May 2015.

A governance and structure document was endorsed in 2016, providing the basis for establishment of the Qualifications Reference Framework Committee. The Committee held its first meeting in February 2017 and is responsible for reviewing referencing reports submitted by participating countries.

Partners

The framework is a cross-sector initiative of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations involving ministries and agencies responsible for education, labor, trade, qualifications, accreditation, and related policy areas in member countries.

Australia and New Zealand participated in the original development process through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area Economic Cooperation Work Programme.

Funding

Initial development was supported through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area Economic Cooperation Work Programme. Ongoing implementation is coordinated through Association of Southeast Asian Nations structures and participating member countries.

Resources

Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Qualifications Reference Framework. https://asean.org/our-communities/economic-community/services/aqrf/