Students are encouraged to apply for CT and/or RPL if they have completed the same unit or units previously, have completed equivalent study or have significant experience in a relevant field. CT/RPL is discussed with and offered to all students as a part of the pre-enrolment process enabling Training staff to assist students on an individual level with their specific needs and inquiries.
credit transfer (CT)
Credit Transfer (CT) is a process that enables a student to receive credit for previous formal training where that training is considered equivalent. Credit Transfer eligibility is identified on a unit by unit basis where a student has completed exactly the same unit or the unit they have completed is considered to be equivalent within Training Package guidelines. This unit or units can be completed at any RTO.
Credit Transfer may be awarded to students enrolling in any qualification and will be discussed with students as part of the pre-enrolment process once an application for admission has been received. Students are required to apply for Credit Transfer no later than their formal enrolment in the qualification. Students will be required to nominate the units they wish to seek credit for, complete an RPL/CT Application Form, pay an administrative fee of $70 and submit formal AQF documentation relevant to the application.
Once your Credit Transfer application has been received and assessed, you will be advised of the outcome in writing. Your fees will then be adjusted to reflect an award of CT for individual units, these units will be at no cost.
recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be awarded to students who have proved through appropriate documentary evidence, written statements or other evidence that they have met the required assessment criteria for units through previous study and/or experience in a relevant field.
RPL is “an assessment process that assesses the competency (s) of an individual that may have been acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual meets the requirements specified in the training package”.
Formal learning is that which occurs “through a structured program of instruction and is linked to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment”. Non-formal learning also occurs through structured programs but does not lead to an attainment, such as “in house professional development programs conducted by a business”. Information learning is that which occurs “through experience of work-related, social, family, hobby or leisure activities”. (p.95, User’s Guide to the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, ASQA, 2014)
Students intending to apply for RPL for any unit of competency, either as an individual unit or qualification delivery, or who have questions regarding the RPL process, should contact SU Institute of Training prior to the commencement of their training. There are specific deadlines for submitting evidence for RPL assessment, and collecting relevant and sufficient evidence takes time. The RPL of a unit or units will not be approved if sufficient evidence is not submitted prior to the commencement of training in that relevant unit/s. The extent of recognition sought may be up to 100% of a qualification, a number of units within a qualification, or a single unit.
SU Institute of Training may award RPL for a particular unit of competency where:
- The student can provide authentic documentary evidence of their prior learning and experience;
- The evidence is of a comparable standard to the assessment criteria presented within the course;
- The evidence is sufficient and current.
RPL is discussed during the pre-enrolment consultation. Students are required to apply for RPL no later than their formal enrolment in the qualification or individual unit.
Students applying for RPL for units within a qualification
Students applying for RPL for a unit/s within a qualification will be required to nominate the unit/s they wish to apply for RPL, complete an RPL/CT Application Form, pay an administrative fee of $70, and submit formal documentation relevant to the application within the timeframes advised by SU Institute of Training. The standard cost of RPL for units delivered within a qualification is 70% of the full tuition fee for each unit awarded.
Students applying for RPL for an individual unit delivery
Students applying for RPL for an individual unit delivery will be required to nominate that they wish to apply for RPL as a part of the pre-enrolment process. This is discussed with students during a pre-enrolment consultation. Students must formally enrol in the unit, indicate RPL as their mode of training on their enrolment registration; pay the relevant tuition fee in full; and submit formal documentation relevant to the application within the timeframes advised by SU Institute of Training. The administrative fee is waived for individual unit enrolments as the fee is not reduced if RPL is awarded for a unit. Students enrolling in individual units pay the same course fees regardless of their mode of delivery.
RPL stages
The RPL process will include the following stages:
- Inquiry at the time of Application for Admission and/or pre-enrolment consultation
- Completion and submission of the RPL Application Form
- Completion and submission of a self-assessment using Initial Assessment documentation
- Provision of supporting documentation relevant to application
- Assessment, including a Competency Conversation
- Provision of additional evidence as requested by the RPL Assessor and/or gap training if required
- Support (if required) from Training Staff in collating the information at all stages in the process
Once your RPL application has been received and assessed in accordance with this process, you will be advised of the outcome in writing and adjustments of fees (where relevant) will be processed at that time.