Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Have your work experience assessed against a nationally recognised qualification, with help preparing your evidence.
Sophia — Australian Skills Connect representative
Who this service is for
- People with hands-on work experience in care, early childhood, community services, construction, business and similar fields
- Workers who have the skills but not the formal qualification that matches them
- Employers who want team members' existing skills assessed against a qualification
- Anyone unsure which qualification fits their experience, and who wants that worked out before applying
What's included
Turn your work experience into a nationally recognised qualification through recognition of prior learning (RPL). You provide evidence of your skills, and our partner RTO assesses it against the qualification. ASC helps you prepare your evidence and manages your RPL application.
- Qualifications in care, early childhood, community services, construction, business and more
- Assessed on evidence of your work by our partner RTO, which may include questions or a practical task
- Qualifications are issued by our ASQA-registered partner RTO, named in your written plan. ASC is not an RTO.
- How long it takes depends on your evidence and the RTO's assessment; your written plan includes an estimate
Four steps
- 1
Free 15-minute call
We talk through your work history and which qualification may match it.
- 2
Written plan
You receive a written plan naming the partner RTO, the qualification, the evidence needed and your fixed fee.
- 3
Evidence preparation
We help you gather and organise your evidence and lodge your RPL application with the RTO.
- 4
RTO assessment
The partner RTO assesses your evidence, which may include questions or a practical task, and decides the outcome.
What to have ready
- Your résumé or a summary of roles, employers and dates
- Position descriptions, references or a supervisor contact who can confirm your work
- Examples of work: photos, reports, logs, rosters or documents you produced (with private information removed)
- Any existing certificates, licences or training records
- Identification required by the RTO
We help you prepare evidence for skills assessments and qualifications. We don't give visa or migration advice. If your plans involve a visa, we'll refer you to a registered migration agent.
Timing depends on your situation
How long it takes depends on your evidence and the RTO's assessment. Your written plan includes an estimate. If the RTO asks for more evidence or a practical task, that adds to the time.
What affects the cost
Requirements
Requirements depend on your situation and the relevant RTO, assessing authority or regulator. We list them in your written plan.
Qualification
Where a nationally recognised qualification or unit is part of your pathway: ASC is not an RTO. Qualifications are issued by our ASQA-registered partner RTO, named in your written plan.
Licences
A qualification can be one requirement for a licence. Licensing bodies set their own experience, exam and supervised-work requirements.
Fees
Your fixed fee is in your written plan before you start.
Payment
How and when you pay is set out in your written plan. Nothing starts until you approve it.
Common questions
What is RPL?
Recognition of prior learning is an assessment of the skills you already have, using evidence of your work, against the units of a nationally recognised qualification.
Who decides whether I'm competent?
Our ASQA-registered partner RTO. ASC is not an RTO; we help you prepare your evidence and manage the application.
Will I have to do any tests?
The RTO may ask you questions or ask you to complete a practical task as part of its assessment.
What if my evidence doesn't cover every unit?
The RTO will tell you what is missing. We'll talk with you about further evidence or other options.
Can RPL help with a visa?
We don't give visa or migration advice. If your plans involve a visa, we'll refer you to a registered migration agent.
Does a qualification give me a licence?
A qualification can be one requirement for a licence. Licensing bodies set their own experience, exam and supervised-work requirements.
Questions about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
Book a free 15-minute call, or contact us directly.
ASC is not an RTO. Qualifications are issued by our ASQA-registered partner RTO, named in your written plan.