Courses

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process used by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in Australia. Instead of studying every unit from scratch, an assessor checks the skills and knowledge you already have against the units of competency in a qualification. If you can show you meet the standard, you are awarded the same nationally recognised certificate or diploma as someone who completed the course in a classroom.

RPL is common for people who have worked in a trade or care role for several years, workers who trained overseas, and people who need a formal qualification for a promotion, a licence or a visa skills assessment.

Who is RPL suitable for?

• You have worked in the industry (paid or, in some cases, volunteer work) for a meaningful period, often 2–3 years or more for trade qualifications.
• You can provide evidence of the tasks you perform, such as references, photos or videos of your work, and payslips.
• You want a qualification faster than a full course and are comfortable being assessed on practical skills.

How the RPL process works

1. Self-assessment: compare your experience with the units in the qualification.
2. Gather evidence: résumé, employer references or third-party reports, photos and videos of completed work, job descriptions, payslips and any previous certificates or licences.
3. Competency conversation: an assessor interviews you about how you do your work.
4. Practical assessment: for many trades you demonstrate your skills in a workplace or simulated setting.
5. Gap training: if some units are not covered by your experience, you complete short training for just those units.
6. Certificate issued: once you are assessed as competent in all units, the RTO issues your nationally recognised qualification.

Before you enrol: important checks

• Check the RTO is registered. Search the provider and the qualification code on training.gov.au to confirm they are allowed to deliver it.
• Licensing is separate. Trades such as plumbing and some building work also need a state or territory licence. A qualification is usually one step towards the licence, not the licence itself.
• Migration skills assessments have their own rules. If you need a qualification for a visa, check the requirements of the relevant assessing authority before choosing an RTO.
• Beware of “guaranteed” certificates. A genuine RPL always includes an assessment of your skills. Offers of a certificate without any assessment are a red flag.
• Ask about total cost. Confirm whether gap training, practical assessment and certificate fees are included.

Not sure which qualification matches your experience? Contact us and tell us about your work history.