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Qualifications

  • CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • CPC40120 Certificate VI in Building and Construction

What is RPL?

Recognition is the process by which a person’s existing skills and knowledge, regardless of how they have been acquired, are assessed and credited towards the achievement of units of competency from national training package qualifications or accredited courses. Recognition is sometimes known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) and Assessment-only Pathway. Recognition is an assessment process.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is defined in the AQF as follows:

…….is an assessment process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning (including formal, informal and non-formal learning) to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.

RPL recognizes any prior knowledge and experience and measures it against the requirements of the unit of competency for which students seek recognition. The individual may not need to complete all of a training program if he or she already possesses some of the competencies taught in the program.

To gain RPL, you need to provide evidence and demonstrate that you have the required skills and knowledge to meet the competencies for the units or qualifications that you can be considered for recognition.

Provisions in the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTO) require that RTO’s offer recognition to all applicants on enrolment and ensure that the process is structured to minimize the time and cost to applicants.

     

    What ASQA says you should be careful of ?

     ASQA’s 2025 Standards for RTOs reminds students that:

    • RPL is legitimate, but it must involve proper, competency-based assessment by a qualified assessor.
    • Good RPL includes evidence collection, interviews and/or skills assessment – it is not just a form or a fee.
    • ASQA has concerns about some RTOs offering fast-tracked RPL that cuts corners and exploits students.
    • Marketing such as “no classes”, “no study or exams”, “7-day qualification”, “100% guaranteed” and “easy pathway to migration” are red flags.
    • Poor RPL practices can put you and others at risk in the workplace and damage the value of your qualification.

    At TME we support ASQA’s advice. We do not promise instant or guaranteed RPL outcomes. We will:

    • be clear about the process, timeframes and costs
    • require real evidence of your skills and knowledge
    • let you know if full RPL is not appropriate, and recommend a training pathway instead.

    You can read more in the ASQA Recognition of Prior Learning here

     

    Program Snapshot

    Duration

    RPL should take between 1 – 3 months.

    This is from application through to completion and can vary depending on the qualification and level of experience of the applicant.

    Please note if additional or gap training is required then this may take longer to complete and will be advised by your trainer once all evidence has been collected and analysed.

    Delivery Options

    Once you have enrolled you will be given access to our Learner Portal where you will provide your information for analysis.

    You will be required to meet with our trainer via video conferencing during the process and some courses may require face to face visitation.

    Requirements for RPL:

    • You must have a minimum of 5 years experience in the field you are wishing to gain RPL for
    • You mast be able to demonstrate evidence of employment

    Costs

    As some States have funding available for eligible individuals, the cost may vary from applicant to applicant.

    We will discuss your eligibility and cost outlay prior to enrolling you into the RPL.

     

    Take the self-check here

    Steps to getting your RPL with TME Training

    Our aim is to give you an honest, evidence-based answer about RPL – no shortcuts, no surprises.

    Step1: Check if RPL is right for you

    You read the short explanation on this page and the ASQA RPL factsheet, then complete our online RPL Self-Check (pre-screening questions).

    Step 2: Complete the online RPL Self- check

    You will answer a short set of questions about:

    • the qualification you’re interested in
    • how long you’ve worked in the industry
    • the type of work you do now (and in the past)
    • any previous qualifications or units
    • the evidence you can provide.

    At the end, based on the information you have provided, you’ll get an indication such as:

    • “Likely RPL candidate – book an RPL discussion”, or
    • “Borderline – training plus some RPL may be more suitable”, or
    • “RPL unlikely – a training pathway is recommended first”.

    Step 3: Free RPL discussion with a trainer/assessor

    If your self-check suggests RPL could be suitable, we’ll arrange a short conversation with an experienced trainer/assessor. They will:

    • confirm your background and goals
    • explain the RPL kit and evidence requirements
    • discuss fees, timeframes and possible outcomes (full RPL, partial RPL, or training).

    There is no obligation at this stage.

    Step 4: A fee estimate will be provided.

    A fee estimate will be provided after this discussion. 25% of the estimated fee is required to be paid in advance

    Step 5 – Formal RPL application and evidence submission

    If you choose to proceed:

    • you complete a formal RPL application and candidate information form
    • we provide the RPL Kit for the relevant qualification or units (including guidance, forms and checklists)
    • you gather and submit evidence (e.g. CV, position descriptions, work samples, logbooks, licences, references, photos/videos, previous statements of attainment).

    Step 6 – RPL assessment

    A qualified assessor (with vocational competence in the area and assessment expertise):

    • reviews your evidence against each unit of competency
    • conducts an RPL interview and/or challenge questions
    • may arrange workplace or simulated practical assessment
    • may ask for extra or clarified evidence if needed.

    Step 7 – Outcome and next steps

    We map your evidence against the units and provide one of the following:

    • Full RPL for some or all units
    • Partial RPL plus a training plan to address the gaps
    • No RPL with advice on a suitable training/enrolment pathway.

    All outcomes are recorded in line with ASQA and AQF requirements, and you will receive a statement of attainment or qualification when all requirements are met.

    FAQ

    Why do we promote Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

    Workers with existing skills but no formal recognition of those skills are often required to undertake unnecessary training to gain a qualification. Unnecessary training is inefficient for both industries and workers, delaying training completion, wasting training funds, and affecting the ability of workers to fill skilled positions in a timely way.

    While RTOs in receipt of government funds are required to offer recognition to applicants, take-up remains low due to a few factors, including poor understanding of the process by potential candidates, employers and training providers.

    The ability to offer streamlined recognition processes enables an RTO to develop positive relationships with potential candidates and employers. These stakeholders are more likely to view the RTO (and its assessor/s) as partners working to meet their individual training and assessment needs.

    What’s the difference between RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) and CT (Credit Transfers)?

    CT (Credit Transfer) is based on previous formal qualifications. RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is a comprehensive assessment that must prove you meet all the current requirements of the unit(s) of competency.

    What type of evidence do I need to provide?

    • You must provide current, valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence that demonstrates your competence across all requirements of the unit(s) of competency.

      Some examples include

      • Records of completed training (e.g., certificates, in-house courses).
      • Detailed declarations from employers/supervisors.
      • Workplace documentation (e.g., completed projects, reports, standard operating procedures you’ve used).
      • Performance assessments (e.g., direct observation by an assessor, professional conversation, or skill tests).

      Essentially, as a training provider we need to ascertain that the evidence you provide is real and has been completed by you. 

    How will my skills be assessed?

    The RPL assessment process must be flexible to accommodate your needs and the nature of your prior learning, but the final judgment must be valid — meaning it is based on evidence of performance that meets the training product requirements.

    We will be asking you to

        • Provide documentation that we will map to the relevant skills in each unit of competency
        • Sit an interview with us where we will ask you questions to ascertain your knowledge level.

        Depending on the qualification, we may need to visit you in the workplace or provide video of you completing certain tasks in the workplace.

    Is the RPL-issued qualification the same as a qualification gained through study?

    • Yes. A qualification or statement of attainment issued through a robust, compliant RPL process has the same national recognition and standing as one gained through a full training program.

    What happens if I apply for RPL and don’t get it?

    • If there you have not provided enough evidence to get your RPL, we will provide a pathway that may be more suitable for you to achieve the qualification you wish to get.  This may mean additional gap training or in some cases where there is a very large gap, we may advise for you to complete the entire qualification from scratch. Either way, we will keep you informed every step of the way to ensure you have all the information you need for you to make the decision that is most suitable for you.

    TME offers courses that can assist you to advance your career or pursue new opportunities.

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