RPL - Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process that assesses your competency—acquired through formal and informal learning, such as work or life experiences—to determine if you meet the requirements for a unit of study.

Students can seek RPL or Credit Transfer (CT).

Credit Transfer: Credit Transfer assesses a Candidate’s prior learning achieved through the formal education and training process. Credit Transfer seeks to match the learning outcomes of previous training to those of the current program for which Candidates are seeking recognition. This may include credit transfer based on formal learning that is outside the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

While RPL and Credit Transfer are related and can occur concurrently, they are seen as alternative (but complementary) pathways to a qualification and are defined by the way each process recognizes a Candidate’s learning, which may be achieved through formal education and training (Credit Transfer) or outside the formal education and training system, through work and life experience (RPL)

You can use a variety of documentation to apply for RPL. This includes, but is not limited to:

• records of completed training
• assessment items
• assessment records
• declarations from your employer, and/or
• a copy of your student records provided by ASQA.

Types of Evidence:

1. Direct

2. Indirect

3. Supplementary

RPL process: 

1. All candidates are offered RPL prior to commencing unit/s 

2. Candidate indicates they would like to seek RPL 

3. Assessor and candidate discuss RPL process 

4. Candidate completes self-assessment to confirm eligibility 

5. Assessor confirms eligibility to seek RPL 

6. Candidate is given RPL two assessment events (Portfolio, Third party report) 

7. Candidate gathers and submits evidence 

8. Assessor reviews evidence 

9. Candidate completes third assessment event (Professional conversation) 

10. Depending upon outcome: 

     a) Assessor judges RPL awarded (AC) 

OR b) Candidate provides more evidence and is re-assessed 

OR c) RPL is not awarded

RPL evidence 

  RPL needs to be flexible because when assessing RPL we cannot be sure exactly what evidence a candidate has access to or will bring forward.

  Assessors guide candidates as to what evidence is required BUT it is up to candidates to gather and supply the evidence 

  Unlike a standard assessment where we know exactly what the evidence will look like in RPL we do not know in advance 

 Where a candidate cannot supply evidence in one format it may be evidenced in another format e.g.: 

 A Third-party report is not provided but all sufficient verified documentation is 

 The portfolio lists customer feedback forms. They are not supplied but several customer testimonials are.