Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that determines whether your skills, knowledge and experience align to those required by one or more units of competency, based on what you have learnt through your work and life experience.

You may have developed your skills and knowledge through a combination of:

Work experience
Life experience, such as community involvement
Previous training and education

The RPL process considers all relevant skills, knowledge, and experience that you have. Through this assessment process you may be able to gain a complete qualification subject to individual course rules. The process may identify gaps in your knowledge, skills, or other parts of a qualification, which you can then complete with addition training.

You will be asked to supply evidence of your experience during the RPL process. This evidence needs to reflect current practice.

Evidence

An application will require you to provide evidence of your experience and knowledge which you can present in a range of different ways. The evidence is a way for you to inform us about what you can do and what you know.

Examples of your work is one example of a common source of evidence. Your TAFESA assessor will identify the evidence requirements before you enrol in RPL.

RPL Process

Your TAFE SA RPL Assessor will guide you through the following steps:

Check your suitability for an RPL application by self-assessing your skills and knowledge and checking the evidence requirements for the application.
Commence RPL application by enrolling, paying fees and preparing your evidence ready for assessment.
RPL assessment meet with your assessor and present your evidence.
Notification of RPL outcome your assessor will advise the outcome of the application.

Costs

The cost for RPL in a Vocational Education and Training course will vary depending on the number of units of competency that you apply to complete by RPL.

The fee structure of the course and whether any additional training or assessment is required will also influence the cost.

You will be provided with an approximate cost based on your unique situation before your enrolment

Qualifications from overseas

Migration SA are able to provide overseas qualifications assessment for general employment purposes only. Alternatively, TAFE SA RPL assessment will assess your current skills and knowledge at subject (unit of competency) level against a Vocational Education and Training qualification.

Higher Education Credit for Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning for higher education units is based on equivalent learning.

Definition:
Credit is obtained on the basis of evidence that the student has already undertaken learning that is deemed to be equivalent to the parts of the course of study for which credit has been granted.

TEQSA Guidance Note: Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning

Higher Education students will apply for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).

Your lecturer can assist you to identify previous learning for which you may receive credit.

What are the benefits for you?

Reduced cost
Reduced study time

Discuss your prior learning with your lecturer before commencing your qualification. Complete the “Application for Credit Transfer” form (provided by your lecturer) and submit this with the evidence required.

Credit for Prior Learning should be identified during course counselling and recorded on a Training Plan before registration is completed or within 2 weeks of commencement of the qualification.
A student must complete and submit an Application for Credit Transfer Form TAFESIS019 with evidence.
This process must be completed prior to the census date to avoid incurring a FEE-HELP debt.
If already registered in a subject, prior to applying for Credit for Prior Learning, a student must complete and submit a student withdrawal and refund form.