Get your skills recognised and fast-track your qualification.
What is RPL?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that allows you to gain credit for the skills, knowledge, and experience you've already acquired—whether through work, training, volunteering, or life experience. RPL is a non-teaching pathway. You must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate your competency. If you can demonstrate that you meet the requirements of a unit of competency, you may not need to undertake formal training for that unit.
RPL is available for individual units, multiple units, or even full qualifications that are offered at North Regional TAFE.
Please note: if you are an international student seeking skills recognition, please contact internationalstudents@nrtafe.wa.edu.au.
Who Can Apply?
RPL is suitable for:
- Experienced workers looking to gain formal qualifications
- Individuals with informal or non-accredited training
- Those returning to study who want recognition for past learning
- Tradespeople seeking formal recognition of industry experience
Benefits of RPL
- Save time and money by avoiding unnecessary training
- Gain formal qualifications faster
- Boost your career prospects with recognised credentials
- Validate your skills for licensing or compliance purposes
What is involved?
To have a successful RPL outcome you must meet all the skills and knowledge for the unit(s) that you are seeking recognition for. In addition to providing evidence of your prior learning and skills, you will need to complete assessments similar to other enrolled students.
Prior to proceeding to Step 1 of the RPL process, you should ensure you have the relevant skills and knowledge that align to the unit(s) that you are applying for. You can do this by reviewing the information for each unit at training.gov.au, and in particular, checking that the Application section of each unit matches your skills and experience.
Please note that the RPL process itself can take some time and depends on how quickly you can gather the required evidence.
The RPL Process
The process typically involves:
- Make an enquiry
Complete the form below to indicate your interest in undertaking RPL. -
You will be provided a copy of the RPL Toolkit Part A: Information to Candidates, which includes:
- A self-evaluation checklist for units of competency from the qualification you enquired about.
- A list of suggested documentary items which may support your self-evaluation.
Please note: this is not assessment evidence but useful information at this initial stage to demonstrate suitability for RPL assessment.
You will need to have completed and returned the self-evaluation checklist and provided other supporting items to the assessor prior to an initial meeting.
- Assessor conversation to determine your RPL suitability
An assessor will review your self-evaluation and supporting documents and have a discussion with you to match your experience with the relevant units.
- Enrolment
If RPL is determined as a suitable assessment pathway and you wish to proceed, you will enrol as an RPL student in the units you are eligible to undertake. - You will be provided a copy of the RPL Toolkit – Part B: Candidate Assessment Pack, which includes:
- Assessment of knowledge evidence
- You will complete the same knowledge assessments as other students to ensure you meet all learning outcomes.
- Assessment of performance evidence
- You may be asked to demonstrate your skills in a workplace or simulated environment.
- You may be asked to provide a supporting documentary evidence portfolio.
- Your assessor may contact your referees.
- Assessment of knowledge evidence
- Outcome and Feedback
You’ll receive recognition for the units where you’ve demonstrated competency. If gaps are identified, you may be advised to undertake further training.
Standards and Quality Assurance
North Regional TAFE follows the Registration Standards 2025, ensuring that RPL assessments are:
- Valid – aligned with unit requirements
- Authentic – your own work and experience
- Current – reflects recent practice
- Sufficient – enough evidence to make a judgement
Other Recognition Options
- Credit Transfer – for previously completed units
- Trade Skills Recognition (TSR) – for experienced tradespeople without formal qualifications
Ready to Apply?
Visit training.gov.au to review unit requirements, then use the form below to submit an application with North Regional TAFE and begin your RPL journey. Our team will guide you through the process and help you gather the necessary evidence.