The VQF is divided into 10 levels from basic study at level 1 all the way up to Master's and PhD degrees at levels 9 and 10. The more complex the study and the more skilled the person will be, the higher the level.

Levels 1 to 3 are equivalent to years 11 to 13 of secondary school. This means that most of the time, before someone can enrol in a course for a qualification at level 1, s/he will need to have completed year 10 at secondary school. Sometimes additional entry requirements apply.

If a person does not meet the entry requirements, s/he can discuss with the provider what the alternative options are. One alternative is to first complete a lower level qualification, for example a Certificate II in Tourism, and then continue with study at a higher level, like a Certificate III in Tourism. This is what is called a Pathway. If a person is not yet able to enrol at the level that s/he would like to, s/he can set out a Path for her or himself on how to get there, starting with a qualification at a lower level.

The levels of the VQF are:

For a more detailed description of each Level, see the VQF Level Descriptors document.

Find out more about what Credits are, so you know how much work someone needs to do, by reading VQF Credit Values.

The VQA Board is responsible for the strategic direction and general oversight of the PSET system and is directly accountable to the Minister of Education and Training for PSET system performance.

The relevance to national economic and human resource development objectives will be a primary consideration of the VQA Board which is comprised predominantly of senior representatives from private and public sector agencies engaged in economic and productive sector activity including:

1. the Director General of the Ministry of Education and Training; and
2. the Director General of the Department of Youth Development, Training and Sport; and
3. the Director of the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination; and
4. the Director General of the Department of Finance and Economic Management; and
5. the Director General of the Department of Trade, Tourism, Commerce and Industry; and
6. the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Quarantine, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries; and
7. the Director of the Department of Woman's Affairs; and
8. a representative from the Prime Minister's Office nominated by the Prime Minister; and
9. Commissioner of Labour; and
10. Chairperson of the Vanuatu HOtels and Resorts Association; and
11. President of the National Council of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Vanuatu; and
12. a representative of the education and training providers nominated by the responsible Minister.

The VQA is governed by the VQA Board.

Under the direction of the VQA Board, the Chief Executive Officer provides leadership to the VQA Executive and has overall responsibility for four divisions:

1. Office of the Chief Executive Officer,
2. Corporate Services, Research, Planning and Monitoring Division,
3. Quality Assurance and Compliance Division, and
4. Standards and Qualifications Division.

The Corporate Services, Research Planning and Monitoring Division is currently led by the CEO. He has strategic oversight over a broad range of functions, and is also responsible for finance, administration and information and communications technology. The latter serves the VQA operations with a particular emphasis on data and records management. A strong and continuing monitoring and evaluation focus informs policy and planning decisions. The VQA's communication strategies are supported by a discrete information and marketing function.

The Quality Assurance and Compliance Division is responsible for the administration of the Vanuatu Quality Assurance Framework (VQAF) and regulates and facilitates provider registration, course accreditation, approval to deliver, and quality audit for all PSET providers operating in Vanuatu. 

The Standards and Qualifications Division works in close collaboration with industry and productive sector organisations and individuals. Industry representatives and Industry Skills Councils are involved in the development and maintenance of courses and of nationally recognized industry endorsed units of competency.
This division also has responsibility to maintain the Vanuatu Qualifications Framework (VQF), which covers all post-school qualifications. The VQF complements the VQA quality assurance processes by enabling consistent alignment of nationally recognized units of competency and courses to relevant qualification levels.