In one embodiment, techniques provide QoS-aware service flow mapping in an access network. A message is received from an access device at a gateway in the access network. The message includes a traffic flow specification. The traffic flow specification may include packet filter information, which is used to install a packet filter to route traffic to the access device. The gateway creates a session and associates the packet filter with it. When an incoming packet is received at the network device, the packet is matched to the packet filter. The incoming packet is then sent to the access device for the session. The traffic flow specification may also specify QoS parameters that are desired. The QoS parameters may then be applied to the packet sent to the access device. The gateway and access device may negotiate to determine a QoS to apply.