Accepting Applications

Nationally Recognised RPL Pathway

Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice

CHC81315

Your senior expertise in career guidance and professional development deserves formal recognition at the postgraduate level. We help experienced practitioners convert years of complex decision-making and client guidance into a nationally recognised qualification. Start your journey today with a free skills review to see how your career history aligns with this Graduate Certificate.

Free Skills Review
★★★★★5.0 · Based on 61 reviews across all qualifications

About This Qualification

This qualification reflects the role of career development practitioners. Practitioners at this level make high level, independent, complex judgements in the context of providing guidance in career development. Their role involves the full responsibility and accountability for all aspects of their work. Practitioners may work independently or in larger service organisations. 

Qualification Code

CHC81315

Training Package

CHC — Community Services

AQF Level

Graduate Certificate

Total Units

7 (5 core + 2 elective)

Entry Requirements

This qualification is open to individuals who hold:a qualification at diploma level or higher in a discipline related to career development or counselling workorsignificant previous experience working in a job role involving the self directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas and the exercise of independent judgement and decision making.

RPL It Status: Available

Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Career Outcomes

According to training.gov.au, this qualification supports the following roles:

RoleResponsibilities
Career Development PractitionerMaking high-level, independent judgements to provide strategic guidance for individuals navigating career transitions.
Career Services ManagerTaking full accountability for the design, delivery, and quality assurance of career development services within an organisation.

Delivering Registered Training Organisations

All assessment and qualification issuance for this qualification is carried out by one of the following partner RTOs, each of which holds CHC81315 on their scope of registration with ASQA:

Which RTO will deliver my qualification? The delivering RTO will be confirmed during your skills review and prior to enrolment. Your qualification will be issued directly by the delivering RTO and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Fees

Final pricing will be confirmed before enrolment.

You will receive a detailed, personalised quote — including the total fee, payment terms, interest-free payment plan options, and the name of the delivering RTO — before you are asked to enrol or make any payment.

Refund policy:If RPL It is unable to process your application, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid to RPL It. Once your portfolio has been submitted to the RTO for assessment, the RTO's refund policy applies. Details will be provided before enrolment.

Indicative Timeframes

✓ What we control

  • • Guiding you through evidence gathering
  • • Submitting a complete portfolio to the RTO
  • • Following up on your behalf

⏳ What we don't control

  • • The RTO's assessment workload
  • • The assessor's evaluation timeline
  • • The qualification issuance process

Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary based on qualification complexity, evidence completeness, and RTO capacity.

Roles & Responsibilities

RPL It AustraliaDelivering RTO
RoleStudent support serviceRegistered Training Organisation
Initial skills review✅
Evidence gathering guidance✅
Formal assessment✅ Qualified assessors
Assessment judgement✅ Made by the RTO
Gap trainingAvailable if required (delivered by RTO)
Qualification issuance✅ Issued by the RTO
Complaints & appealsOwn complaints process✅ RTO process applies to assessments

RPL It Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 55 689 826 917) is not an RTO and does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Ready to get recognised?

Start with a free skills review to see if your experience aligns with this qualification.

Free Skills Review
✓

Receive a free preliminary review of your experience

✓

Dedicated consultant guides you through every step

✓

Nationally recognised qualification issued by our partner RTO

★★★★★

5.0 across all qualifications

Could RPL Be Right for You?

Experience can be evidence.

RPL is the process that helps you demonstrate it.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification. It isn't a shortcut — it applies the same assessment standards as any other pathway.

RPL typically involves:

📋

A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements

💼

Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency

👤

Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation

🎯

If gaps are identified, targeted training to build on your existing expertise

ℹ️ Important Pathway Advice

RPL isn't the right pathway for everyone. If you don't have substantial, relevant, and current industry experience, a traditional study pathway may serve you better.

Our approach:

“We'd rather guide you to the right pathway than enrol you in the wrong one.”

What Kind of Experience Counts?

If RPL becomes available for this qualification, the types of experience and evidence that would typically be relevant include:

💼

Work History & Roles

  • ✓Current resume and detailed position descriptions
  • ✓Records of professional indemnity insurance
  • ✓Performance reviews and peer feedback
📈

Service Management

  • ✓Career development service plans and strategies
  • ✓Quality management protocols and audit reports
  • ✓Marketing or service delivery materials
🤝

Client Practice

  • ✓Anonymised career session notes and development plans
  • ✓Career assessment tools and diagnostic results
  • ✓Client feedback and outcome evaluations
⚖️

Compliance & Ethics

  • ✓Legal and ethical compliance registers
  • ✓Documented workplace health and safety protocols
  • ✓Professional association membership records
🎓

Professional Development

  • ✓Personal professional development plans
  • ✓Reflective practice journals or logs
  • ✓Records of industry workshops or seminars attended
❓

Not sure if you qualify?

Speak with our team for a free eligibility discussion.

Talk to us

This is general guidance based on training.gov.au. Specific requirements will be confirmed by the delivering RTO's assessor when RPL becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this qualification and RPL.

How do I get started with RPL for this qualification?▾
The process begins with a free skills review where we assess your professional background against the qualification requirements. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will compile a portfolio of evidence documenting your experience, which is then formally assessed by our RTO partners to grant your certification.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?▾
Yes, a qualification obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning is identical to one earned through traditional study. It is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and carries the same weight with employers and professional bodies.
How long does the process typically take?▾
The RPL process usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks once your full portfolio of evidence has been submitted to the RTO. This timeframe is significantly faster than traditional study, as it focuses on validating your existing expertise.
What are the entry requirements for this Graduate Certificate?▾
To be eligible for this qualification via RPL, you must typically hold a Diploma or higher in a discipline related to career development or counselling work, alongside your relevant professional experience in the field.
What type of evidence do I need to provide for career development practice?▾
Evidence may include case studies of client guidance, career development plans you have developed, professional logs, workshop materials, third-party testimonials from supervisors, and documentation of high-level independent judgements made in a professional context.
Is this qualification suitable for HR professionals?▾
Yes, if your role in Human Resources involves significant career development functions, such as internal mobility coaching, succession planning, and professional guidance, your experience may be highly relevant for this RPL pathway.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?▾
Yes. RPL is a legitimate form of assessment within the Australian VET system. The qualification issued is identical to one obtained through any other mode of delivery and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Who assesses my evidence?▾
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor employed or contracted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO) — not by RPL It. The assessor holds the credentials required under the 2025 Standards for RTOs and has current industry experience.
What if gaps are identified in my skills?▾
If the assessor identifies areas where your evidence does not fully demonstrate competency, the RTO can provide gap training. The RTO will discuss any associated requirements or costs with you if this becomes necessary. Gap training is targeted to the specific areas identified and is designed to help you meet the full requirements of the qualification.
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?▾
If the initial skills review indicates that RPL is not suitable for you at this time, we’ll let you know honestly and discuss alternative options. We would rather direct you to the right pathway than enrol you in a process that won’t lead to a successful outcome.
How long does the RPL process take?▾
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. However, this is an average based on past outcomes — not a guarantee. Factors include qualification complexity, evidence completeness, whether gap training is required, and the RTO’s current assessment capacity.
Can I do this from outside Australia?▾
This depends on the specific qualification. Many qualifications are based on Australian codes, standards, and legislation, and some require access to an Australian workplace for assessment. If you are based outside Australia, please contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your circumstances.

Related Qualifications

Other qualifications in the Community Services.

Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

CHC62015

Certificate I

Certificate I in Active Volunteering

CHC14015

Certificate II

Certificate II in Active Volunteering

CHC24015

Certificate II

Certificate II in Community Services

CHC22015

Certificate III

Certificate III in Active Volunteering

CHC34015

Start Your Free Skills Review

Tell us about your background and we'll provide a free preliminary review of your experience against the Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice.

✓

Free Skills Review

Receive a professional review of your experience against CHC81315.

✓

Preliminary Review

Receive free guidance on whether RPL could suit your career background.

✓

No Commitments

The skills review is obligation-free and takes less than 2 minutes.

→

Start your free skills review

This qualification is available now. Continue to the free skills review and we'll pre-select CHC81315 so you can move straight into the application.

Start My Free Skills Review

No commitment. We'll provide an honest review of your experience.

Ready to Get Recognised?

Start your free skills review for CHC81315 today.

Free Skills Review