Are you eligible for RPL?

 

FAQs about RPL

Download our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Guide – FAQs  for more information about Recognition of Prior Learning

This guide will assist you to answer questions such as:

• How does recognition work?
• How do I get involved?
• Who else is involved?
• What does it mean for me?
• How do I prove my skills and knowledge?
• Do I need to have a lot of documents?
• What happens if I don’t succeed?

Can anyone apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

Your eligibility for recognition of prior learning is considered as part of the enrolment process for all candidates when enrolling at YouStudy, and you can also apply for RPL at any time during your studies.

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

Recognition of Prior Learning is the acknowledgement of skills and knowledge obtained through learning achieved outside the formal education and training system and includes work and life experience including paid and volunteer work.

Recognition can result in the awarding of a nationally recognised qualification or the issuing of a statement of attainment in your area of expertise.

What are the benefits of Recognition of Prior Learning?

• your skills are formally acknowledged with a nationally recognised qualification
• you don’t have to waste time studying something you can already do
• you may have increased career opportunities due to holding a qualification
• you could open up more career pathways
• you may complete your qualification more quickly

What will it cost?

• There is no cost for your initial meeting with an RPL assessor to decide whether you are a candidate for RPL they will explain the RPL process and the fees, and they will explore suitable courses.
• The cost of the RPL assessment will vary depending on the qualification and the amount of RPL you undertake.
• You may be required to undertake ‘Gap Training’ to complete the qualification. This is an additional cost to the RPL process.
• RPL will never cost you more than the training it replaces and can cost you a lot less.

RPL Steps Explained

1. Applying for RPL

Contact YouStudy to arrange an initial meeting with an RPL assessor with experience in your area of expertise. There is no charge for this service.

Phone: 1-300-887-886 or email enquiries@youstudy.edu.au  or send a web enquiry through our Contact Us Page.

• Complete an Application For RPL Form and send your supporting General Employment Documents to your assessor prior to the initial meeting.
• This documentation could include:
  • Your current resume or work history including paid or unpaid work
  • Your current or previous position description
  • Certificates /results of previous assessment
  • Certificates – supplier training courses, evidence of your attendance at workshops, seminars, first aid, in house courses
  • Photographs or videos of work undertaken
  • Workplace inductions
  • Performance appraisals
  • Membership
  • References/letters from previous employers or supervisors
  • Any other documentation that might demonstrate your industry experience

2. Initial meeting with RPL assessor

• During this meeting your RPL assessor will decide whether you are a candidate for RPL, they will explain the RPL process and the fees, and they will explore suitable courses.
• Your assessor will discuss and agree with you on the specific types of evidence to be collected to support your RPL application and the timelines for submission of this evidence.

3. Self evaluate your documentary evidence

• When you are collecting your evidence, protection of privacy and confidential client/organisational information may vary and in some instances the assessor need only to sight these sensitive documents.
• Please ensure that you do not breach your organisation’s policy on privacy and confidentiality.

4. Competency Conversations

Your assessor will conduct one or more interviews with you for each unit of competency, called a ‘competency conversation’ either face-to-face, by telephone or other means. These conversations are a common part of any recognition process. This will allow your assessor to:

• Ask questions to explore the extent of your knowledge
• Seek clarification about items of evidence
• Ensure the whole competency is demonstrated.

RPL Tips for you consider

Here are some tips and hints for you to consider:

1. To put you at ease when you start the RPL process, a good starting point is to discuss your current job role, or if you are not currently working, you should have provided your past work history in your RPL application in the form of a resume or CV. Talking about where you have worked, either paid or unpaid, will put you at ease with the RPL process.

2. Be prepared to discuss the duties and responsibilities that have been provided in a position description in your current or a recent job role.

3. If your previous employer or your supervisor have provided a reference to support your RPL application they should be prepared to be contacted by your assessor so that your skills in the workplace can be confirmed by them or someone that works, or has worked with you.

4. Your assessor will also contact members of the community regarding any unpaid or volunteer work you have done and nominated to support your RPL application.

5. Be prepared to talk about any supplier training courses, evidence of your attendance at workshops, seminars, first aid, and in house courses that you have provided as evidence in your RPL application.

6. Be prepared to discuss any photographs or video evidence that you have provided of work you have undertaken that you have provided as RPL evidence. Visual evidence is a great tool to provide actual evidence of your skills to an assessor, in a working environment.

7. You should advise any previous employers or your supervisor that have provided references or letters of support of your skills that they may be contacted by your assessor to verify their statements.

Phone: 1-300-887-886 or email enquiries@youstudy.edu.au  or send a web enquiry through our Contact Us Page.