Introduction:
This policy has been developed in alignment with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025, with a clear understanding of the RTO’s responsibility to formally recognise prior learning and award credit transfer where appropriate. It supports the principles of fairness, flexibility, access, and transparency in learner pathways and assessment practices.
Skills Training College acknowledges its obligation to ensure that learners who have previously completed relevant units of competency—whether through formal study, workplace experience, or other learning contexts—are afforded the opportunity to have that learning assessed and recognised through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and/or Credit Transfer.
This policy ensures that the recognition process:
- Upholds the integrity and equivalency of qualifications issued,
- Supports efficient learner progression, and
- Aligns with Outcome Standard 1.5 – Recognition of prior learning and credit transfer, promoting seamless transitions and reducing unnecessary duplication of learning.
Scope and Application:
This policy is applicable to all members of the College community, including employees, current learners, and prospective learners. It serves as the guiding framework for assessing a learner’s competence through recognition of prior learning (RPL). Additionally, it encompasses the granting of credit for studies completed at an RTO or any other accredited issuing organisation, such as a secondary school or university. Learners who have already completed units of competency for which they are currently enrolled are entitled to credit transfer upon verification.
It is important to note that this policy does not govern other assessment practices within the College’s assessment system, nor does it guarantee automatic approval of RPL or credit transfer requests.
Overview:
The core mission of the College is to provide high-quality vocational education and training programs to its learners. This policy outlines the conditions under which the College will implement its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Policy to acknowledge learners’ previous qualifications and experience.
The College is committed to consistently and fairly applying this policy across all its programs and for every learner enrolled in college programs.
Policy:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The College’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Policy is designed to ensure that all assessments, including RPL, adhere to the assessment requirements of the relevant training package or qualification. Furthermore, it is conducted in accordance with the Principles of Assessment (fairness, flexibility, validity, and reliability) and Rules of Evidence (validity, sufficiency, authenticity, and currency).
The College recognises that regardless of the mode of delivery or engagement, all assessments must meet the same high standards. The College also acknowledges that, similar to other forms of assessment, RPL assessment must be carried out by qualified assessors who possess current knowledge and expertise in the unit/s being assessed, as well as familiarity with RPL processes.
The level of industry experience required by a learner varies depending on the specific industry. To be eligible for RPL, applicants are generally required to have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in the industry. However, this timeframe may be reduced if approved by the CEO of the College at the time of application.
Exclusions
The College retains the right to decline RPL for units of competency that are directly related to job functions subject to a high level of legislative oversight and/or requiring licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification compliance.
Seeking RPL
All potential RPL candidates must express their intention to apply for RPL during the enrolment process. Requests for RPL must be submitted to the trainer within 30 days of enrolment. Requests received beyond this timeframe may not be accepted.
The Process
For learners pursuing RPL, the requirement to complete all assessments, both theoretical and practical, is waived. Instead, they need to provide evidence of their skills, which must be verified or demonstrated in the workplace under the supervision of a qualified supervisor. Learners will be provided with a Third-Party Evidence Collection Booklet/Placement Booklet to gather the necessary evidence and have it verified.
Credit Transfer
Credit transfer is a recognition process whereby a learner who has previously completed a unit of competency and received Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certification is exempted from repeating formal learning and assessment.
Credit transfer (CT) relies on formal evidence such as a Statement of Attainment or qualification and a Statement of Results from an RTO before commencing training with the College. Once verified with the issuing RTO, credit is granted. Alternatively, the learner can grant the College permission to access their USI Registry information to confirm available credit transfers.
To be awarded credit transfer, the learner must indicate their desire to apply for credit transfer on their enrolment form and submit copies of the relevant Statement of Attainment, qualification, and Statement of Results. All learners must give the College permission to complete a verification of AQF certification with the issuing RTO or through the USI Registry before credit transfer is awarded. In cases where verification cannot be obtained from the issuing RTO or the USI Registry, credit transfer will not be granted.
In instances where AQF certification cannot be verified, either due to the closure of the issuing RTO or issues with the USI Registry, learners must contact the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to obtain confirmation of certification. Charges may apply, and further information can be found at www.ASQA.gov.au.
To safeguard the integrity of the vocational education and training sector, the AQF prescribes strict protocols for the protection of certification documents to be employed by registered training organisations offering nationally recognised training. These protocols necessitate the use of protective measures on all certification documents to minimise fraudulent copying or reproduction. In cases where the issuing RTO confirms to the College that it did not award the AQF certification, the application for credit transfer will be denied.