Recognition of Prior Learning: Can Your Existing Experience Count Towards a Qualification?

Have you spent years developing workplace skills but never received a formal qualification for them?

Perhaps you have completed workplace training, taken on responsibilities beyond your job title or learned practical skills through years of hands on experience. If you are considering vocational education and training, you might not necessarily need to start every part of your course from the beginning.

Recognition of Prior Learning, commonly known as RPL, is a formal assessment process that considers the skills and knowledge you already have. If your existing competency meets the requirements of one or more units in your chosen qualification, you may receive recognition for those units.

However, RPL is not automatic and experience alone does not guarantee a successful application. Here is what prospective VET students need to know.

What is Recognition of Prior Learning?

Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment of skills and knowledge gained through previous work, training or life experience.

Your experience may come from:

Paid employment.
Volunteer work.
Previous formal study.
Workplace training.
Professional development.
Community involvement.
Informal learning.
Practical responsibilities completed as part of a role.

A qualified assessor compares your evidence and demonstrated skills with the requirements of the relevant unit of competency.

If the assessor determines that you meet all requirements, you may receive RPL for that unit. If there are gaps in your skills or evidence, you may need to complete further training or assessment.

What is the difference between RPL and credit transfer?

Recognition of Prior Learning and credit transfer can both prevent VET students from unnecessarily repeating learning, but they work differently.

Credit transfer applies when you have already successfully completed the same or an equivalent unit through another recognised training provider. You will generally need to provide formal evidence, such as a qualification certificate, statement of attainment or Unique Student Identifier transcript.

Recognition of Prior Learning assesses skills and knowledge gained through work, training and life experience. Instead of showing only that you have previously completed a unit, you provide evidence demonstrating that you currently meet its requirements.

Your training provider can help determine which process may apply to your circumstances.

Does having industry experience guarantee RPL?

No. Having worked in an industry does not automatically mean you will receive RPL.

Qualifications are made up of specific units of competency, and each unit contains requirements that must be assessed. Your assessor needs sufficient evidence that your skills and knowledge meet those requirements.

For example, you may have performed some of the relevant tasks in your workplace but not the full range required by the unit. Your experience may also relate to older practices, different legislation or workplace procedures that do not cover the current requirements.

In these situations, you may be asked to complete additional training or assessment.

This is why it is better to think of RPL as a genuine assessment pathway rather than an easy shortcut to a qualification.

What evidence might you need?

The evidence required will depend on the qualification, units and type of experience you have.

You may be asked to provide:

Your résumé or employment history.
Position descriptions.
Employer references or declarations.
Certificates from workplace training.
Records of professional development.
Work samples or a portfolio.
Workplace documents you have prepared.
Performance reviews.
Photographs or videos of completed work, where appropriate.
Previous qualifications or statements of attainment.
Evidence of volunteer or community work.

You might also be asked to participate in an interview, answer questions, complete a practical demonstration or undertake an assessment in a workplace or simulated environment.

Workplace documents must be shared appropriately. Confidential, private or commercially sensitive information should not be submitted without permission.

What does the RPL process involve?

The exact process can vary, but a quality RPL assessment generally includes several stages.

Initial discussion

Your training provider explains how RPL works and discusses your previous experience, training and goals.

This early conversation may help determine whether an RPL application is suitable and which units could potentially be assessed.

Self assessment

You may be asked to compare your experience with the skills and knowledge required by the qualification.

This can help you identify areas where you already have strong evidence and areas where further training might be needed.

Collecting evidence

You gather documents, examples and supporting information that demonstrate your competency.

The quality and relevance of your evidence are more important than simply submitting a large number of documents.

Assessment

A qualified assessor reviews your evidence against the requirements of the relevant units.

The assessor may also conduct interviews, ask questions or observe you completing practical tasks.

Identifying gaps

If your evidence does not cover every requirement, the assessor may identify areas where additional evidence, training or assessment is needed.

RPL does not have to apply to your entire qualification. You may receive recognition for some units and complete training for the remaining units.

Could RPL shorten your course?

RPL may reduce the amount of training you need to complete if you are granted recognition for units within your qualification.

How much time it could save depends on:

The qualification you are studying.
The number of units for which you receive RPL.
Your current skills and knowledge.
The evidence you can provide.
Course scheduling and delivery arrangements.
Any work placement, licensing or industry requirements.

You should not assume that years of experience will automatically reduce your course by a particular amount. Your training provider can only confirm the outcome after completing the required assessment.

Fees may also apply to the RPL application and assessment process. Ask for current information about costs before applying.

Is RPL easier than completing the training?

Not necessarily.

Preparing an evidence portfolio and demonstrating competency can require considerable time and effort. In some cases, completing the usual training and assessment may be more straightforward, particularly if your experience is limited or difficult to document.

RPL may be worth considering if you:

Have substantial and recent experience in the relevant industry.
Regularly perform tasks covered by the qualification.
Have completed relevant workplace training.
Can provide reliable evidence of your skills.
Have employers or supervisors who can confirm your experience.
Are comfortable demonstrating your skills to an assessor.

An initial conversation with the training provider can help you understand whether applying for RPL is likely to suit your circumstances.

Be cautious of “instant qualification” promises

A genuine RPL process requires proper evidence and assessment.

Be cautious of providers or third parties promising a qualification based only on your résumé, offering approval within an unusually short time or claiming that no assessment will be required.

The Australian Skills Quality Authority warns that qualifications issued without proper training and assessment may be cancelled. Poor RPL practices can also leave students with a qualification that does not accurately reflect their abilities.

A quality RPL process should be clear, fair and based on the actual requirements of the qualification. You should expect meaningful communication with the training provider and a proper assessment of your evidence.

You can learn more through the Australian Skills Quality Authority’s RPL guidance for VET students.

What does RPL mean for international VET students?

International VET students may also be able to apply for RPL, but receiving recognition could affect the expected duration of their course and Confirmation of Enrolment.

International VET students should speak with AIWT before applying so they understand how a successful RPL outcome could affect their study arrangements. Students should also seek appropriate advice about any possible visa implications.

This blog provides general information and should not be considered migration advice.

How to apply for RPL at AIWT

AIWT gives VET students the opportunity to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, subject to the requirements of the relevant qualification, units and assessment process.

If you are considering RPL, the first step is to contact AIWT and discuss:

The qualification you are interested in.
Your previous employment and responsibilities.
Any relevant training you have completed.
The evidence you may be able to provide.
The units that may be suitable for assessment.
Current application and assessment fees.
What additional training may be required if gaps are identified.

You can request an RPL Application Kit to learn more about the process and evidence requirements.

Your experience may be more valuable than you realise

Workplace knowledge does not always come with a certificate attached. Recognition of Prior Learning provides a formal way to assess that knowledge against the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification.

It will not suit every student, and a successful outcome is never guaranteed. However, if you have substantial and relevant experience, it may be worth finding out whether some of your existing skills can be recognised.

To discuss Recognition of Prior Learning or AIWT’s available courses, contact AIWT on (08) 9249 9688 or email futurestudents@aiwt.edu.au.

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Disclaimer: The content in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Course availability, content, funding, and eligibility criteria may change. For the latest updates and full enrolment information, please visit aiwt.edu.au or contact our admissions team directly. AIWT does not guarantee employment outcomes upon course completion.