RPL Frequently Asked Questions

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process within Australia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. It evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career (through paid work, volunteering, mentorship, problem-solving on the job, and prior study) to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification.

RPL is not a shortcut to a qualification. It applies the same assessment standards as any other route, including the same principles of assessment and rules of evidence. A qualified assessor from the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO) reviews your evidence portfolio and makes an assessment judgement against each unit of competency in the qualification.

If the assessor identifies gaps between your evidence and the qualification requirements, the RTO will work with you on targeted gap training to address those gaps.

With traditional study, you attend classes and complete coursework to build new skills and knowledge. With RPL, you demonstrate that you already have those skills and knowledge through evidence from your career.

The outcome is the same: a nationally recognised qualification issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework. The difference is the route: RPL recognises what you've already learned, rather than teaching it to you again.

Both routes are assessed by qualified assessors against the same training product requirements. Neither is easier or harder; they're suited to different situations.

Yes. An RPL qualification is issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework, the same framework that governs qualifications from TAFE colleges and all other Registered Training Organisations. It carries the same national recognition. Licensing requirements vary, so check with the relevant authority.

RPL works best for people with substantial, relevant, and current industry experience. As a general guide:

1. You have several years of hands-on experience in the industry area relevant to the qualification
2. Your experience is current, reflecting contemporary practices, codes, and standards
3. You can provide documented evidence of your competency (not just a verbal claim)
4. Your experience covers the breadth of the qualification, not just one narrow area

RPL is not the right fit for everyone. If your experience is limited, outdated, or only covers a small part of the qualification, a traditional study option (or a combination of RPL and gap training) may serve you better.

During your initial skills review, we'll have an honest conversation about your background and advise whether RPL is likely to be a suitable option for you. We'd rather guide you to the right option than set you up for a process that won't succeed.

Overseas experience can be used as evidence in an RPL application. However, your evidence will need to be mapped to Australian qualification requirements , including Australian legislation, codes, and standards that apply to the training product.

For example, if you're seeking a construction qualification, your overseas experience would need to demonstrate knowledge of Australian building codes, work health and safety legislation, and industry practices, not just the equivalent standards in your home country.

Your consultant and the RTO's assessor will work with you to determine how your overseas experience aligns with the Australian requirements, and whether gap training may be needed to bridge any differences.

• Free Skills Review: You complete our skills review and we have a conversation about your experience, your goals, and whether RPL is likely to be a suitable option for you.
• Consultation & Enrolment: We confirm which partner RTO will assess your application, explain the evidence requirements, and provide you with a detailed quote and the RTO's relevant policies.
• Evidence Gathering: With guidance from your account manager, you compile evidence demonstrating your skills and experience.
• Portfolio Preparation: We help you organise your evidence into a structured portfolio aligned with the qualification requirements.
• Submission to RTO: We submit your completed application to the partner RTO for formal assessment.
• RTO Assessment: The RTO's qualified assessor reviews your evidence against each unit of competency. They may contact you directly for additional information, a competency conversation, or a practical demonstration.
• Outcome: If the assessor determines you are competent across all required units, the RTO issues your nationally recognised qualification. If gaps are identified, the RTO will advise you on gap training options.

The specific evidence depends on the qualification you're seeking. As a general starting point, useful evidence includes:

1. Resume or CV showing your employment history and roles
2. Position descriptions or duty statements from current and previous employers
3. Reference letters from employers, supervisors, or clients who can speak to your skills
4. Work samples and project documentation: plans, reports, contracts, schedules, photos
5. Existing qualifications, licences, and training records, including statements of attainment, tickets, and professional development certificates

No two evidence portfolios look the same, because no two careers look the same. Your account manager will help you identify the most relevant evidence for your specific experience.

If the RTO's assessor determines that your evidence doesn't fully demonstrate competency across all required units, there are several possible outcomes:

1. Gap training: The RTO provides targeted training to address the specific areas where your evidence falls short.
2. Additional evidence: The assessor may suggest alternative forms of evidence, or arrange a competency conversation or practical demonstration.
3. Partial recognition: You may receive a Statement of Attainment for the units where you were assessed as competent.
4. Alternative qualification: Your experience may be a better fit for a different qualification, and we can help you explore that option.

We'll be upfront with you throughout. If at any stage it becomes clear that RPL isn't going to work for a particular qualification, we'll tell you honestly and help you understand your alternatives.

The timeline depends on several factors:

What you can influence: How quickly you gather and submit your evidence, and how responsive you are to requests from RPL it or the RTO's assessor.

What RPL it controls: Preparing and submitting a complete, well-organised portfolio to the RTO as efficiently as possible, and following up on your behalf.

What the RTO controls: The assessment workload, scheduling, and qualification issuance process.

As an indication, the majority of our candidates who submit a complete evidence portfolio receive their outcome within 4-6 weeks of submission to the RTO. However, this is based on past experience — not a guarantee of your individual timeline.

Credit transfer is the process of recognising units of competency you've already been assessed as competent in through a previous qualification. If you hold a Statement of Attainment or qualification that includes units equivalent to those in your target qualification, the delivering RTO may grant credit for those units, reducing the number of units that need to be assessed via RPL.

Credit transfer is not automatic. The delivering RTO will verify equivalency based on your AQF certification documentation or authenticated VET transcript. The credit transfer decision is made by the RTO.

Where a unit is equivalent and your certification is authenticated, the RTO must grant credit for it. It can refuse only on limited grounds, for example where a licensing or regulatory requirement calls for reassessment.

Your qualification will not appear on your USI transcript straight away. This is normal and expected.

Most RPL it candidates complete their qualification on a fee-for-service basis, not through government-funded training. For fee-for-service training, RTOs are only required to report training activity to the national VET data collection once a year, between 1 January and 28 February of the following year. Quarterly reporting applies to government-funded training only.

This means your qualification will typically appear on your USI transcript in the year after it is issued, once your RTO submits its annual report.

Example: if your qualification is issued in June 2026, your RTO will report it between 1 January and 28 February 2027, and it will appear on your USI transcript after that submission is processed.

For more on how reporting works, see our USI page.

No. Your USI transcript is a record of training that has been reported, not your qualification itself. Your official proof is the certificate (testamur) and record of results issued by your RTO. These are valid from the date they are issued, whether or not your training has appeared on your USI transcript yet.

• Scan the qr code. Most RTOs include a QR code on the certificate. Scanning it lets you, your employer or a licensing body verify your qualification and training directly with the RTO.
• Email the RTO. If your certificate does not have a QR code, you can email the RTO directly to verify your qualification. Your employer can also email the RTO directly if they need verification. The RTO's contact details are on your certificate and on the National Register at training.gov.au.

No. Reporting is handled directly between the RTO and the national VET data collection through AVETMISS. RPL it Australia has no control over the reporting process and cannot guarantee or be involved in when your training is reported. Any questions about reporting should be directed to your RTO.

First, log in to your USI account and check that your name and date of birth match your identification documents exactly. If your details don't match, your training may not link to your USI correctly. If your details are correct, contact your RTO. Only the RTO can update or correct your USI transcript.

The cost depends on the qualification, its complexity, and the delivering RTO. You will receive a detailed, personalised quote (including the total fee, payment terms, and the name of your delivering RTO) before you are asked to enrol or pay anything. No fees are collected until you have received this information in writing and agreed to proceed.

Yes. Payment plans are interest-free with no establishment fee. The instalment schedule, and any extension fee that could apply, is set out in your quote. Payments are typically structured in instalments aligned to key milestones:

• Enrolment: An initial payment when you decide to proceed
• Evidence submission: A payment when your evidence portfolio is complete
• Assessment complete: A payment when your evidence has been assessed
• Qualification ready: A final payment. Your RTO issues your qualification once all agreed fees are paid

The exact structure and amounts will be confirmed in your quote before you commit.

Our refund policy is set out in full in our Terms and Conditions. In summary:

1. 50% RPL it service fee: non-refundable in all circumstances
2. Amounts above the 50% RPL it service fee: may be refunded if you cancel within 30 days of the date we confirm in writing that your application has been submitted to the partner RTO, or if the RTO determines you are not eligible for RPL
3. No refund: if you withdraw after the 30-day cancellation period, do not provide sufficient evidence, or choose not to continue

Nothing in this policy limits your rights under applicable Australian consumer law.

We can't provide tax advice, but the cost of RPL qualifications may be deductible as a self-education expense in some circumstances. We recommend consulting your accountant or visiting the ATO website for guidance on your specific situation.

RPL it Australia is a student support service. We guide you through the RPL process — from your initial skills review through to the outcome of your application. Specifically, we:

1. Help you understand whether RPL is a suitable option for you
2. Explain the evidence requirements for your target qualification
3. Guide you in gathering, organising, and preparing your evidence portfolio
4. Submit your completed application to the partner RTO
5. Coordinate with the RTO and keep you informed of progress

We are not a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We do not:

1. Conduct formal assessments or make competency judgements
2. Issue qualifications or statements of attainment
3. Provide training or gap training
4. Guarantee any particular outcome

All formal assessment is conducted by the delivering RTO's qualified assessors, and all qualifications are issued by the RTO, not by RPL it.

We work with multiple Registered Training Organisations across different industry areas. During your consultation, we will confirm which RTO will assess your application and provide you with their full name, registration code, and contact information before you commit to proceeding. You can verify any RTO's registration status on the National Register at training.gov.au.

Holding a relevant qualification is often a requirement for a trade licence — but it is typically not the only requirement. Licensing requirements vary across Australian states and territories and may include:

1. Supervised work experience (often a specific number of years)
2. Examinations or technical assessments
3. Insurance and financial capacity requirements
4. Character and background checks

The licensing decision is made by the relevant state or territory regulatory authority — not by RPL it or our partner RTOs. We strongly recommend checking the licensing requirements in your state before enrolling.

An RPL qualification may support a skilled migration application, but visa and migration outcomes are determined by the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant skills assessment authority, not by RPL it or our partner RTOs. If migration is your primary objective, we recommend seeking advice from a registered migration agent before enrolling.

Some qualifications can be completed via RPL with evidence gathered remotely. However, certain qualifications (particularly in trades and construction) may require access to an Australian workplace for practical assessment components. Contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your specific qualification and circumstances.

If you need your Australian qualification recognised in another country, it may need to be legalised (authenticated). This typically involves:

• Notarisation by an Australian public notary
• Authentication by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which verifies the notary's signature and issues an apostille or authentication certificate
• Legalisation by the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to use the qualification (if required)

Processing times vary. DFAT authentication generally takes one to two weeks. Contact us if you'd like assistance.

Contact us at [email protected] or call 1300 93 60 93. We will acknowledge your complaint within two business days and respond with an outcome within ten business days. Full details of our complaints process are in our Terms and Conditions.

If your concern relates to the RTO's assessment process, we will help direct you to the RTO's own complaints and appeals process. Under the 2025 Standards for RTOs, all RTOs are required to operate complaints and appeals management systems that are fair, transparent, and accessible. The RTO's process must also give you access to a review by an independent party, at no or low cost to you, if you ask for one.

RTOs are independently regulated by ASQA or a state or territory VET regulator (the VRQA in Victoria, the TAC in Western Australia). While rare, it is possible for an RTO to have its registration suspended or cancelled due to non-compliance with the Standards for RTOs. In serious cases, ASQA may also cancel qualifications previously issued by that RTO.

RPL it takes reasonable steps to review the registration status and regulatory standing of our partner RTOs. However, RPL it is not responsible for the ongoing compliance of any partner RTO, and cannot be held liable if regulatory action is taken against an RTO, including any impact on qualifications already issued to you.

You can check any RTO's current registration status at any time on the National Register at training.gov.au. For more detail, see the Partner RTO Compliance section of our Terms and Conditions.

If you have concerns about an RTO's compliance with the Standards for RTOs, including its RPL practices, ASQA encourages you to contact:

1. VET Tip-Off Line: 1300 644 844 (within Australia) or +61 2 5933 2022 (international)
2. ASQA Portal: asqaportal.asqa.gov.au

The VET Tip-Off Line provides a safe and confidential avenue for reporting concerns. Reports can be made anonymously.

ASQA regulates RTOs, not RPL it Australia's services. If your concern is about RPL it Australia's service, please contact us first. You can also contact NSW Fair Trading or the ACCC.