Recognition of Prior Learning

Are you ready to turn your current/previous on the job experience into a nationally recognised qualification? Let’s turn your skills into a current qualification with a hassle-free process.

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that involves making a judgment on the skills and knowledge an individual has as a result of past study and/or experience. The aim of RPL is to recognise your existing competencies without having to go through the complete processes of training and assessment. You will still need to provide evidence though, upon which your assessor can base their judgement. Evidence would be a portfolio of your work history and is required to be:

1. Authentic – It must be your own work.
2. Sufficient – It must demonstrate competence over a period of time, that the competencies can be repeated, and the evidence must be enough so that the assessor can make an accurate judgement regarding competency.
3. Current – It must demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and skills i.e. from the present or the very recent past.
4. Valid – It must be relevant to what is being assessed.

You may be eligible to apply for RPL on one or more Units of Competency in your course. Please contact our administration manager to discuss your options. If you decide to go ahead, we provide you with the fee structure (if not already covered in your program) and start the process.

According to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA 2019), under Clause 1.8 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, AUSCHS offers recognition of prior learning (RPL) to individuals with workplace and life knowledge and skills.

Why choose RPL with AUSCHS?

• We value time and resources
• Assessment is conducted by our team of experienced and qualified assessors that do the heavy lifting for you.
• Assessment is conducted covering all workplace training, knowledge, skills and previous qualifications achieved which are mapped by our Team.
• Our Team works out through steps of assessment process confirming the skills and experience which can be mapped to nationally recognised qualifications.
• We work with you on RPL and hold your hand throughout the process, you will not feel alone in this process.

How does the RPL process work?

RPL is conducted by an assessment pathway only. 

Recognition Policy

The Australian College of Higher Studies (AUSCHS) is committed to providing quality training and assessment in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. As such, we are required to offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) services to all students, and to implement an assessment system that ensures that assessment (including RPL) complies with assessment requirements of Training Packages and VET Accredited course, the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence.

AUSCHS is committed to providing effective processes for Recognition options to all current and prospective students.

AUSCHS will ensure that:

• It implements an assessment system that ensures RPL assessments comply with assessment requirements of relevant Training Packages, VET Accredited Courses.
• RPL assessment is conducted in accordance with the Principles of Assessment.
• RPL assessment is conducted in accordance with the Rules of Evidence.
• Recognition is offered to all students prior to enrolment.
• Adequate information and support are provided to students in understanding the process and gathering reliable evidence to support their recognition claim.
• All Recognition applications are processed in accordance with the AUSCHS Assessment Policy; and
• Appropriate recognition will be given to AQF Certification documentation issued by other RTOs.

What is credit transfer?

Credit Transfer can give you credit for:

Formal Learning: relevant courses, modules or units of competency you have completed previously, which are the same as modules or units of competency offered in the AUSCHS courses.

AUSCHS accepts transcripts for full or partial completion of qualifications from all VET Registered Training Organisations within Australia. 

Credit Transfer

1. AUSCHS will accept and mutually recognise the decisions and outcomes of any RTO thereby ensuring mutual acceptance throughout Australia of the qualifications and Statements of Attainment (SOA) awarded by other RTO’s or AQF authorised issuing organisations.
2. AUSCHS recognises AQF certification documentation from other RTOs, and authenticated VET transcripts issued by the Registrar and after review and verification of validity will apply a credit to all relevant units of competency.
3. Credit Transfer applies when the certification documentation provided by the student contains the same national competency code as those that form part of the training and assessment program offered by AUSCHS.
4. To receive credit transfer of held units of competency must be the current code, or an equivalent code. AUSCHS must be able to verify the mapping on training.gov.au.
5. Certification documentation must be presented as a certified copy of an original. Certified copies must be signed by an authorised authority e.g. JP.
6. AUSCHS are not obliged to issue an AQF qualification or SOA that is achieved wholly through recognition of units and /or modules completed at another RTO or RTOs. (i.e. the student cannot complete all their learning and assessment with another RTO and request AUSCHS to issue the qualification under Recognition).
7. The amount of recognition contributing to the issuance of certification documentation from AUSCHS (i.e. using units/modules completed at other RTOs) is at the discretion of the CEO.
8. In the event a student wishes to undertake refresher training in a unit/module for which they have been previously awarded recognition, then the student will be advised that the completion of the assessment is not necessary, however, may be offered as an option.
9. Where the recognised AQF qualification and attributed units/modules form part of another AQF qualification, the student will only be enrolled in the additional units required to complete the new qualification. Fees will reflect reduced learning and assessment load.