What is Recognized Prior Learning (RPL), Australia?

Recognized Prior Learning (RPL) lets you turn your real-world experience into nationally recognized qualifications in Australia. By matching your existing skills and knowledge to the competency standards of a qualification, you can earn credit, finish faster, and pay less without re-learning what you already know.

Overview

What Is RPL?

Recognized Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment pathway that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you’ve gained through work, volunteering, training, or life experience against the requirements of a formal qualification. If you already meet the competencies for certain units, you can receive credit toward a nationally recognized qualification.

How RPL Works

Assessment: A qualified assessor maps your existing skills and knowledge to the units of competency in your chosen qualification.
Evidence: You provide proof of competency such as work samples, portfolios, position descriptions, references, performance reviews, training certificates, and testimonials.
Validation: Assessors check that your evidence is authentic, valid, current, reliable, and sufficient to meet each unit’s requirements.
Outcome: You may be granted credit for some or all units. If gaps are found, your assessor will outline what is still required (e.g., targeted training or additional evidence).

Benefits of RPL

Save time and money: Reduce study duration and tuition by receiving credit for what you already know and can do.
Career advancement: Gain a credential that supports promotions, career changes, or entry into higher-level study.
Formal recognition: Convert informal and on-the-job learning into a nationally recognized qualification.
Job security and mobility: A formal qualification can strengthen your employability and broaden opportunities across industries.

Who Is Eligible?

Anyone with relevant skills and knowledge from work, previous study (formal or informal), volunteering, or life experience can be considered. Eligibility depends on the industry, the specific qualification, and how well your experience aligns with the required competencies.

Getting Started

Choose a qualification: Ensure its nationally recognized and delivered by an RTO (Registered Training Organisation).
Speak with the provider: Request an RPL information pack and a pre-assessment to understand evidence requirements.
Gather evidence: Compile documents and examples that best demonstrate your experience and outcomes.
Submit and assess: Lodge your RPL application; respond quickly to any requests for additional information.
Fill any gaps: Complete targeted training or workplace tasks if partial RPL is recommended.

Tip: To speed up your RPL, organise your evidence by unit and clearly label documents to show how each piece maps to the competency requirements.