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I think every country has their own system of assessment. However, as far as I know, ABRSM, trinity and LCM are the most popular diplomas? (there is one in Australia, can't remmeber the name of it). In Hong kong, nearly 100% (of maybe its 100%) of employers / people would have heard of ABRSM and Trinity. So i would say these two examination bodies are recognised all over the world.

It is always a brilliant idea to equip yourself with some letters after your name - as many as possible. You may not need them afterall, but they may, on the other hand, get you a well paid job. I would say if you have confident in passing and few pounds spare (well..), then go for diplomas.

I am still only a student (and I am young indeed! ) - so I am not entirely sure what the employers are really looking for. Probably a good degree/well qualified, then your experience in the field etc etc. So i would say a good degree and experience are both very important, and this is why all undergrads in my subject have to do internship. good luck with ur decision.

At the moment you can teach without any letters after your name, it just depends on the kind of teaching you want to do. So much of music teaching and -making seems to be about who you know rather than what you know, as far as I can tell, though I've always been on the fringes of the music scene which interests me most. Schools and universities will want evidence of diplomata or their equivalent, but anyone with any level of experience or none could set themselves up to teach music privately , and after that it's word of mouth. I have a couple of German contacts, including a professional baroque musician who plays with the Freiburg Barock-Orchester, and will see if I can get any more information about equivalent levels for you...I must admit, I worried a bit after telling her, bursting with pride, about my basic diploma, that it might have sounded more impressive than it should have done...

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Sounds as if mine is more of a klitzekleines Diplömchen then....whoops.

*decides to practise very hard*

Here the Associate diplomata generally are thought to be equivalent in level to the performance part of the end of first year at university or conservatoire training, the licentiates to the performance part of the end of undergraduate study, and the fellowships, which far fewer people do, when compared with the others, to the end of postgraduate study.
One way round your problem may be to have letterhead with "postgraduate diploma from....." written out in full, as well as putting your Dipl. in front of your name. To be honest, I'm not sure how many ordinary folks can tell the differences between the sets of letters we have after our names anyway, and if you're applying to academic institutions, you'll be able to explain in your curriculum vitæ.

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Fluently bilingual, thanks to a German parent . And have been to Berlin, Karlsruhe, Sylt and Garmisch often, and lived for two months each in Köln and München.
I'd better go and confess the awful truth about my playing to my friend, and see if I can get any more answers from her .

The one in Australia is AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board).

Ain't that the truth

I'm teaching based on my batchelors degree. You have experience and that counts for a lot. I doubt you'd have any difficulty passing a licentate diploma. You'd probably be just as well off joining the Incorporated Society of Musicians. Even if your certificates are in German display them (if you can) It adds credibility. Use as much free advertising as you can, and good luck.