Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• What is RPL?
• What are the advantages of RPL?
• Is RPL for me?
• How much does it cost to apply for RPL?
• How do I apply for RPL?
• How do I check my skills against the course information?
• What sort of information do I include in my RPL application?
• What sort of evidence do I need to support my RPL claim?
• How should I go about arranging a briefing with an assessor?
• How is my application for RPL assessed?
• What happens then?

What is RPL?

Note: RPL is also referred to as RCC – Recognition of Current Competencies.

RPL is a form of assessment that acknowledges skills and knowledge gained through:

• formal training conducted by industry or education
• work experience
• life experience.

The main principle of RPL focuses on the outcomes rather than how, when or where the learning occurred.

For example, if you are a Hospitality or Library Studies student, and you have already worked in that field, you will know some of the content of the course. RPL is a way of getting credit for this learning, which may reduce the amount of time you spend studying.

RPL gives you credit for your life skills – skills and knowledge you have acquired at home or through clubs, hobbies and the like.

What are the advantages of RPL?

1. RPL allows you to complete formal education in a shorter period of time and at less cost.
2. RPL means that you do not have to repeat or waste time learning what you have already learned.
3. RPL increases your career and education options through recognised skills and knowledge.
4. RPL allows for fairer access to studies that you wish to undertake.

Is RPL for me?

Anyone can apply for RPL but not everyone will get credit for their skills and knowledge. A typical successful applicant is someone who has a reasonable amount of experience in the area their course covers. This might mean working in that field. Life skills can earn credits but these must be shown to be relevant to the course.

If you are continuing from secondary school or you have limited work or life experience, you should consider your claim for RPL carefully before applying. If you are a mature age student with relevant experience, your skills are likely to have some value for credit through RPL.

If you have gained qualifications in a course or have a statement of attainment for completed units of a course from another institute or training provider ,you may gain credits.

Note: If your prior learning is in the same subject (that is, with the same name and code) at another training provider or a simple ‘transfer of credit’, you will not be required to pay any charges.

How much does it cost to apply for RPL?

Note: These fees apply to individual applicants in recurrently-funded courses; they do not apply to enterprise/organisations for assessment consultancies.

• If you are already enrolled in a course at BHI that is Government funded the RPL application cost is $NIL.
• If you are not enrolled in a course at BHI that is Government funded the RPL application cost is $53.

Fees are not refundable, regardless of the outcome. It is therefore in your interest to prepare your application with care, ensuring that you meet the requirements.

The RPL/RCC coordinator in your course area will be able to provide you with more detailed information regarding RPL/RCC costs.

Note: For the RPL/RCC fees associated with Fee for Service courses please contact your course coordinator for details.

How do I apply for RPL?

Obtain the RCC/RPL application form from the Centre to which you want to apply. See 'Teaching Centres' for details.

Return your completed form, with supporting documentation, addressed to:
Private and Confidential
RCC Coordinator
<name of Centre goes here>
Box Hill Institute
PO Bag 2014
Box Hill
VIC 3128

(If you are not enrolled in the current year you must contact the RCC coordinator.)

You can, of course, begin preparing your application at any time.

How do I check my skills against the course information?

The course information contains competency standards or learning outcomes, which outline the skills, knowledge and attitudes expected of a person fulfilling a role in the workplace.

You are considered competent when you demonstrate the skills and knowledge specified in the competency standards. Some skills require refreshing after only one to two years (for example, IT); other skills are retained for life (for example, riding a bike), so you should ensure that the skills and knowledge you use as evidence are relevant to your industry today.

Read the information on the units of competency/learning outcomes that you wish to be assessed against to compare them with your own knowledge and skills before deciding whether you want to apply for RPL.

In making an application for RCC/RPL for a unit you need to address each of the Elements and Performance Criteria of the unit, as detailed by following the links above.

Match the elements and performance criteria to your previous study and/or work experience, and show how you have already attained the skills outlined in the unit. You may also supply as much supplementary information as possible in support of your RCC/RPL application, for example, course outlines, official certified statements of results, position descriptions if relevant.

If your application is based on work experience, you must have a verifying statement from a supervisor/employer that they have read your application and that what you have stated is an accurate statement of your skills and knowledge. This employer statement must be on company letterhead and the original document must be sent.

What sort of information do I include in my RPL application?

It is your responsibility to ensure that you provide the correct information. However, the following may help you:

1. Gather all the evidence you can to support your application.
2. Relate your study and experience directly to the units for which you are requesting RPL.
3. Do not send original transcripts of results. Provide certified copies only.
4. Remember to address each learning outcome/element and assessment/performance criteria.

You also need to include the following details.

Personal

• Full name
• Address
• Contact numbers (home and work telephone, fax)

Employment

• Name of employers
• Duration of employment
• Position description
• Contact person for further information (optional)
• Letter supporting work experience on company letterhead

Education and training

• Name of courses and institutions where studied
• Outlines of courses and subjects, including duration, content, for example topics, assignments (copies of course details from faculty handbooks and other outlines should be supplied)
• Awards granted
• Certified copies of statements of results including the legend, for example, PA means Pass

Other information

• Full details of any other information you consider relevant

Notes

• Do not enrol in a unit if you intend to apply for RCC/RPL.
• Address your application to: RCC Coordinator and mark 'Personal and Confidential'.

What sort of evidence do I need to support my RPL claim?

If you are considering RPL, you will already have a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that you have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills.

These may include:

• your résumé
• certified copies of certificates of completed courses and qualifications
• awards
• references from employers outlining your responsibilities (originals, not copies)
• letters from clients
• evaluations from supervisors
• job descriptions.

Use all relevant evidence to support your application.

How should I go about arranging a briefing with an assessor?

You can obtain an application form from the teaching centre in which your course is being conducted. Before completing the form consult with staff to help you decide whether it is worth making an application.

If you decide to go ahead with the application contact the teaching centre for a briefing session with the assessor. They will be able to give you more detailed guidelines on how to apply and discuss further assessment requirements of your RPL claim.

How is my application for RPL assessed?

The process includes an assessment of your skills and knowledge against the elements and performance criteria of the relevant unit. Your application will be assessed against the following six criteria.

Authenticity

Do you have evidence of your skills and knowledge? (You can include formal qualifications, position descriptions, references and any other material you might have to support the application. The evidence must be authenticated by the appropriate authority.)

Currency

Are the skills and knowledge used in the work force now?

Quality

Are the skills and knowledge at a standard appropriate for current requirements?

Relevance

Are the skills and knowledge relevant to the particular profession?

Transferability

Are the skills and knowledge gained elsewhere relevant to the particular profession?

Validity

Can the applicant demonstrate a skill required for the course? (This may be necessary for practical units.)

What happens then?

Once your application for RCC/RPL has been assessed, the outcome is forwarded to Student Administration, who will then send you an official notification.