This procedure describes the process for managing all VET Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer applications.
This procedure will ensure compliance with the VET Assessment Procedure, National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025 and the Australian Qualifications Framework AQF.
This procedure is to be applied to all VET qualifications offered by the University, irrespective of delivery mode or location. This includes programs delivered by partner providers on behalf of the University.
This procedure applies to all students:
- enrolled in courses (including government funded, fee for service, international, and third party provider delivery) leading to a nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or statement of attainment; and
- who seek recognition for skills and knowledge previously gained through experience in the workplace, volunteerwork, social or domestic duties or through formal and informal studies.
- For RPL, there must be no training provided as part of the RPL assessment.
RPL is an assessment process and must adhere to the requirements of VET assessment: refer to the VET Assessment Procedure.
Source: Credential Policy Standards for Registered Training Organisations and National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025.
Assessment is only conducted by persons who meet the following requirements:
- Hold TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or its successor, TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or
- TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment plus the following units:
- TAELLN411 (or its successor) or TAELLN401A, and
- TAEASS502 (or its successor) or TAEASS502A or TAEASS502B or
- A diploma or higher levelqualification in adult education.
- A secondary teaching qualification and one of the following credentials:
- TAESS00011 AssessorSkill Set, or
- TAESS00019 Assessor Skill Set or its successor, or
- TAESS00024 VET Delivered to School StudentsTeacher Enhancement Skill Set or its successor.
- Hold relevant vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered or assessed.
- Meet any specific Training Package / licensing requirements.
- Demonstrate current industry skills directly relevant to the training / assessment being provided.
- Through professional development activities, continuously develop and improve their:
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) knowledge and skills that informs their training and assessment
- Vocational knowledge and skills relating to their relevant industry, and
- Trainer/Assessor knowledge and skills
- Victorian Institute of Teaching VIT Registration – for staff delivering VCE Vocational Major Strand Units.
- Hold a current WWCC; and
- Staff delivering any qualification from the TAE training package or its successor must hold:
- TAE5011 – Diploma of Vocational Education and Training or its successor; or
- TAE50211 – Diploma of Training Design and Development or its successor; or
- A higher-level qualification in adult education.
These definitions apply specifically to VET assessments. They meet the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Act 2011, Credential Policy Standards for Registered Training Organisations National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025 and/or the VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers.
| Term | Definition |
| Academic misconduct | Conduct that conflicts with the principles of academic honesty and academic integrity and leads to an unfair advantage. Types of academic misconduct include: plagiarism, contract cheating, examination cheating, duplicate submission, fabrication, impersonation, academic fraud, solicitation and promoting the breach of academic, collusion and non-compliance with examination instructions/requirements. Refer: Academic Misconduct Procedure |
| Applicant | in this instance, is a person applying to undertake a recognition process to achieve a qualification or unit/s of competence by accessing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Process with the intent of being granted AQF certified documentation. |
| AQF | Australian Qualifications Framework. |
| AQF qualification | An Australian Qualifications Framework qualification type endorsed in a training package or accredited in a VET accredited course. |
| Assessment | Assessment means the process of collecting evidence and making judgements on whether competency has been achieved, to confirm that an individual can perform to the standard expected in the workplace, as specified in a Training Package or VET accredited program and is conducted in accordance with the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence. |
| Assessment system | A coordinated set of documented policies, procedures and assessment tools designed to ensure that assessment, including recognition of prior learning, produces consistent and valid judgements of VET student competency and meets the requirements of this instrument. |
| Assessment requirements | The endorsed components of a Training Package underpins assessment and sets out the industry's approach to valid, reliable, flexible and fair assessment. |
| Assessment tools |
The instrument, instructions and methods used to gather and interpret assessment evidence for the purposes of determining VET student competency, including:
|
| Assessment Appeals |
Refer to the process whereby a student may appeal within 10 working days of official publication of the final grade on any of the following grounds:
|
| Assessor | A person who determines a VET student’s competency for, or on behalf of, an NVR registered training organisation. |
| Authenticated Vet Transcript | has the same meaning as in the Student Identifiers Act 2014. |
| Cheating |
Cheating is the intention to gain an unfair advantage in the assessment of a unit. This may include (but is not limited to):
|
| Competency | Competency means the consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments. |
| Competency Based Completion (CBC) | Competency Based Completion means the Apprentices are no longer locked into fixed time periods and can complete the apprenticeship at their own rate. The apprentice is completed when the RTO gets employer confirmation of competence in all areas required under the qualification. In some industries, wages are affected at progression points. |
| Completed student assessment items | Completed student assessment items are the actual piece(s) of work completed by a student or evidence of that work, including evidence collected for an RPL process. An assessor’s completed marking guide, criteria, and observation checklist for each student may be sufficient where it is not possible to retain the student’s actual work. However, the retained evidence must have enough detail to demonstrate the assessor’s judgement of the student’s performance against the standard required. |
| Credential Policy |
The document titled “Credential Policy”, listed on the National Register, as in force from time to time. Note: Section 191A of the Act permits this instrument to make provision in relation to a matter by applying, adopting or incorporating any matter contained in another instrument or other writing as in force or existing from time to time. |
| Credit transfer | The process of recognising and awarding credit for prior successful completion of an equivalent unit of competency or module. |
| Current Industry Skills |
The knowledge, skills and experience required by VET trainers and assessors and those who provide training and assessment under supervision in accordance with national Standards for RTOs to ensure that their training and assessment is based on current industry practices and meets the needs of industry. Current industry skills may be informed by consultation with industry and may include, but are not limited to:
|
| Industry engagement |
Industry engagement may include, but is not limited to, strategies such as:
|
| Learner | Learner means a person being trained and/or assessed by the RTO for the purpose of issuing AQF certification documentation. |
| Licensed or regulated outcome | Licensed or regulated outcome means compliance with an eligibility requirement for an occupational license or legislative requirement to hold a particular training product in order to carry out an activity. |
| Moderation of assessment | Moderation of assessment is the process of bringing assessment judgements and standards into alignment. it is a process that ensures the same standards are applied to all learner assessment results within the same units. |
| Official Publication of Results | Official Publication of Results refers to when a student’s ratified results are entered into the Student Management System and published. |
| Professional Development | Professional development means activities that develop and/or maintain an individual's skills, knowledge, expertise and other characteristics as a trainer or assessor. This includes both formal and informal activities that encompass vocational competencies, currency of industry skills and knowledge and practice of vocational training, learning and assessment, including competency-based training and assessment. |
| Program | Program is a series of courses (units of competency) of vocational education and training, or the modules of a VET accredited course / program that combine to become a qualification from an accredited Training Package or skill set. |
| Recognition of prior learning (RPL) | An assessment process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning and experience (including skills and knowledge obtained through formal and informal learning) to determine the extent to which the individual meets requirements specified in the training product. |
| Skill Set | A single unit of competency or a combination of units of competency from a Training Package that links to a licensing or regulatory requirement or a defined industry need. |
| Statement of attainment | A statement of attainment recognises that one or more accredited units have been achieved. |
| Third Party (Subcontracting) |
Any person who has an arrangement with an NVR registered training organisation to deliver services, but does not include:
|
| Training Package | Training Package refers to a set of qualifications for a defined industry, occupational area or enterprise endorsed by the Industry and Industry Skills Council or its delegate in accordance with the Standards for Training Packages. The endorsed components of a Training Package are units of competency; assessment requirements (associated with each unit of competency); qualifications; and credit arrangements. |
| Unit of competency | Unit of Competency is the unit of learning in a VET qualification including assessment requirements and the specification of the standards or performance required in the workplace as defined in a Training Package. |
| VET accredited course | VET accredited course means a course accredited by the VET regulator in accordance with the Standards of VET Accredited Courses. |
| Vocational Competencies | Vocational competencies as applied to trainers means broad industry knowledge and experience usually combined with a relevant industry qualification. Vocational Competency is determined on an industry-by-industry basis and with reference to the relevant Training Package or VET accredited program. |
| Assessment Principles as defined in Standards RTOs 2025 | |
| Principle | Definition |
| Fairness | Assessment accommodates the needs of the VET student, including implementing reasonable adjustments where appropriate and enabling reassessment where necessary. |
| Flexibility | Assessment is appropriate to the context, training product and VET student, and assesses the VET student’s skills and knowledge that are relevant to the training product, regardless of how or where the VET student has acquired those skills or that knowledge. |
| Validity | Assessment includes practical application components that enable the VET student to demonstrate the relevant skills and knowledge in a practical setting. |
| Reliability | Assessment evidence is interpreted consistently by assessors, and the outcomes of assessment are comparable irrespective of which assessor is conducting the assessment. |
| Rules of Evidence | |
| Validity | Assessment evidence is adequate, such that the assessor can be reasonably assured that the VET student possesses the skills and knowledge described in the training product. |
| Sufficiency | The quality, quantity and relevance of the assessment evidence enable the assessor to make an informed judgement of the VET student’s competency in the skills and knowledge described in the training product. |
| Authenticity | The assessor is assured that a VET student’s assessment evidence is the original and genuine work of that VET student. |
| Currency | The assessment evidence presented to the assessor documents demonstrates the VET student’s current skills and knowledge. |
The Program Manager / Coordinator in consultation with the Finance department will determine the RPL fees for the program as part of the Course Planning and Budgetary process. Refer to the University's Tuition Fees and Charges website.
RPL Actions Timeframe - There are five stages to complete the RPL Process. A reasonable assessment timeframe to complete all five stages is no longer than five weeks.
- Stage 1 - Pre-Enrolment (Contact and Initial Discussion) - one week
- Stage 2 - Enrolment - one day
- Stage 3 - Plan and gather evidence - maximum period of 6 months as agreed in consultation with applicant
- Stage 4 - Review and Determine Competency - maximum of one month after submission.
- Stage 5 - Record and Report - maximum one week after determination.
| Stage 1: Pre-Enrolment (Contact and Initial Discussion) | |||
| Steps | Responsibility | Comments | |
| 1.1 | Online Applicants |
When an online applicant identifies that they may be eligible for RPL , the system will divert the application to the University Customer Relationships Management system CRM for actioning. The CRM team will flag the application to the relevant Education Area for actioning. |
|
| 1.2 | Provide RPL information to prospective students. | TAFE Department Program Manager or delegate |
Refer to the VET RPL Assessment Tool Kit and: Provide the applicant with the Student Information Guide and request they complete the Pre Information Form in Section 7. Book an appropriate time to have an initial discussion with the applicant to determine capacity to undertake RPL and enrolment Part A: Student Information Guide |
| 1.3 | Undertake initial discussion between Assessor and Applicant on the RPL process. | Assessor |
|
| 1.4 | Determine and confirm preferred pathway with applicant from information provided during initial discussion | Assessor and Applicant |
Based on the initial discussion, the applicant is advised to either proceed with the RPL application or offered an alternative pathway such as:
Allow the applicant time to consider if they wish to undertake the RPL process and come to an agreement on a time frame should they wish to enrol. |
| 1.5 | Prepare RPL Assessment Tool | Assessor |
Down load and use the RPL Assessment Tool that has been developed for the nominated qualification/units. These must be customised as appropriate for each student e.g., choice of elective units and removing units they are not applying for. Evidence of student participation, at unit level, must be maintained. |
| Stage 2: Enrolment | |||
| Steps | Responsibility | Comments | |
| 2.1 | Federation University staff enrolments | Director, Skills and Education Delivery/RPL Assessor |
Federation University staff may access programs of study including government funded places in the same way as other students provided they meet the following criteria:
|
| 2.2 | Enrol into qualification indicating units for which RPL is being applied. | Program Manager/Assessor in conjunction with the student/CRM team |
Confirm students understanding that RPL entails no training and is an assessment process only. Confirm students understanding that the Assessor will be available for support to provide clarity on evidence requirements and submission of assessments. For Online applicants - Once the applicant has confirmed they wish to proceed with RPL. The Assessor will advise the student that their online application will be processed. The Assessor must refer the application back to the CRM team confirming the RPL application approval for processing. For paper based applicants - Qualification/units enrolled in as advised by the Assessor. RPL applications can only be accepted from students who are enrolled in the units for which they are seeking RPL. |
| 2.3 | Provide qualification/unit specific RPL Evidence Kit. | Program Manager/Assessor |
Provide student with Part B, Student RPL Evidence Kit and provide the following advice/support:
|
| Stage 3: Plan and gather evidence | |||
| Steps | Responsibility | Comments | |
| 3.1 | Portfolio of evidence collated | Student/Assessor |
|
| 3.2 | Referees/third party contacts briefed and provided with report for completion. | Assessor |
|
| 3.3 | Plan the time, place and resources for the student to demonstrate practical task/s (if required) | Assessor |
|
| 3.4 | Conduct observation of practical tasks (if required). | Assessor |
|
| 3.5 | Review the student’s evidence: |
Assessor |
Assessor to evaluate sufficient evidence provided by the student as outlined in the Part B, Student RPL Evidence Kit which may include but is not limited to:
|
| 3.6 | Conduct Final Interview | Assessor |
Schedule and conduct a final interview with the Applicant.
|
| Stage 4: Review and Determine Competency | |||
| Steps | Responsibility | Comments | |
| 4.1 | Assessment of all RPL requirements mapped against the unit/s of competency. Assessment decision made competent/not yet competent. | Assessor |
|
| 4.2 | Federation staff completed applications to be reviewed for transparency | Director, Skills and Education Delivery |
|
| Stage 5: Record and Report | |||
| Steps | Responsibility | Comments | |
| 5.1 |
Provide feedback to student on RPL assessment outcome.
For RPL, obtain signed acknowledgement from international students studying onshore and forward to Global and Engagement. |
Assessor |
International on shore students only: RPL may impact on the student’s visa status which they must acknowledge, in writing. A copy of this acknowledgement and advice on change of course duration must be forwarded to the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation for further action.
International off shore students only: If RPL is being offered without the option of gap training this must be clearly stated in the student information. |
| 5.2 | Record RPL result directly on Campus Solutions for ratification with all student results. | Assessor |
Refer to VET Assessment Procedure. RPL can either be Granted or Not Granted for a unit. RPL RPL Granted: Internal administration code: EX | Statement of Results code: CY RPL Not Granted: Internal administration code: NG | Statement of Results code: NG The following result should be entered if RPL documentation has not been submitted by a student: For a unit where a student has applied for RPL, but has not submitted any of the required documentation/evidence for assessment, a WN result should be entered against that unit. An NG result should not be entered. |
| 5.3 | Notify the student of the live RPL result | Assessor |
|
| 5.4 | Retain supporting documents / student evidence. | Assessor | Retain completed student assessment evidence. Retain master copies of RPL Assessment Tools. |
| 5.5 | RPL not granted – appeal assessment decision | Student |
Where students disagree with the assessment outcome:
http://policy.federation.edu.au/university/appealscomplaints/ch01.php |
| 5.6 | Re-enrol, if required. | Student |
If RPL is not granted, students may choose to enrol in units they were not granted RPL. Additional fees and charges will apply. |
| Steps | Who is responsible | Comments | |
| Credit Transfer query for a full AQF qualification | Program Manager | The University reserves the right to ensure that Federation University Australia AQF certification is only granted to a learner whom it has assessed as meeting the requirements of the training product as specified in the relevant training package or VET accredited course. Therefore, a student seeking credit transfers for all units of competency to gain a Federation University Australia certified qualification, with units completed at another RTO, will be required to enrol and complete at least one unit of competency as a student of Federation University Australia, before a full qualification will be granted. Current enrolled students of Federation University, in a qualification transition arrangement will be exempt. | |
| 1. | Determine Credit Transfer fees | Director, Skills and Education Delivery |
|
| 2. | Provide Credit Transfer information to prospective students | Program Staff / Program Manager |
Credit Transfer information must be included in marketing materials eg. Course Finder, websites, brochures, student diaries. International on shore students: Granting of a Credit Transfer must be consistent with the requirements of the ESOS Act. |
| 3. | Determine Credit Transfer status and advise all staff who enrol students | Program Manager | To confirm status refer to mapping document in Training Package, curriculum or purchasing guides. |
| 4. | Review copy and file certified copies of Credit Transfer evidence in the Student File | Student |
|
| 5. | Grant Credit Transfer and seek acknowledgement from student (where required) | Assessor |
International on shore students only: A granted Credit Transfer may impact on the student’s visa status which they must acknowledge in writing. A copy of this acknowledgement and advice on change of course duration (total number of weeks) must be forwarded to ISP for further action. |
| 6. | Select Credit Transfer on the Unit Selection enrolment choice on Campus Solutions | Assessor | Enrol student in all units of the course and calculate enrolment fees. Print Unit Selection, signed by assessor and student and keep a copy in student file. |
| 7. | Process enrolment and Credit Transfer | Student Administration |
|
| 8. | Enter results onto Campus Solutions and organise official publication of results | Student Administration |
Credit Transfer Granted. • Internal administration code: TR • Statement of results code: CR |
| 9. | Appeal assessment decision | Student |
A student may submit a written appeal within 10 days of publication of final results. http://policy.federation.edu.au/ university/appealscomplaints/ ch01.php |
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies to Fee-For-Service enrolments only, and only applies if a learner has successfully completed the requirements previously for a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that current competence is being maintained. (Both the qualification and current competency must be within the past three years, or as stipulated in the regulatory license) In the case of RCC - no extra skill or competencies are recognised.
RCC is an assessment process that may be required for licensing purposes (such as trade license) or defined units of competency where skill requirements are regularly updated (such as some First Aid).The Program Manager / Coordinator in consultation with Finance / Director, Skills and Education Delivery will determine the RCC fees for the program as part of the Course Planning and Budgetary process.
RCC Actions Timeframe - There are five stages to complete the RCC Process. A reasonable assessment timeframe to complete all five stages is no longer than three weeks.
- Stage 1 - Pre-Enrolment (Contact and Initial Discussion) - one day
- Stage 2 - Enrolment - one day
- Stage 3 - Plan and gather evidence - one week
- Stage 4 - Review and Determine Current Competency - one week
- Stage 5 - Record and Report - one day
- Australian Qualifications Framework AQF
- Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
- VRQA Guidelines for VET providers
- National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025
- Education Servicesfor Overseas Student(ESOS) Act 2000
- Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority VRQA
-
Federation University Australia Statute 2021
- Part 5 - Division 1 - Academic Board
- Part 6 - Division 2 - Award Programs
- Federation University Australia Academic Regulations 2022
-
Federation University Australia (Students) Regulations 2022
- Part 2 - Division 3 - Enrolment
- Part 2 - Division 4 - StudentFees and Charges
- Part 3 - Division 5 - Assessment
- Part 5 - Division 7 - Appeals
Forms
- RPL Vet Brochure 2021 (DOCX 4496.3kb)
The procedure will be implemented and communicated throughout the University via:
- Announcement the University’s News webpage.
- Inclusion in the University Policy Library.
- Annual professional development includes assessment activities and workshops.
- Pro Vice-Chancellor, VET and Pathways and Chief Executive TAFE are responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this procedure.
- Manager, Pathways is responsible for maintaining the content of the procedure as delegated by Pro Vice-Chancellor, VET and Pathways and Chief Executive TAFE.
- Program / Managers are responsible for submitting the adjusted VET Assessment and VET RPL Assessment Tools through the internal School approval/validation process to ensure it meets the required assessment needs of each unit/qualification.
- Directors are responsible for the operational implementation of this procedure.
| Title | Location | Responsible Officer | Minimum Retention Period |
| Master Copy: RPL Assessment Tool | Faculty/Centre/College | Director / Education Manager | Permanent |
| RPL Assessment Evidence | Faculty/Centre/College | Assessor/Education Manager | 7 years |
| RCC Assessment Evidence | Faculty/Centre/College | Assessor/Education Manager | 7 years |
| Credit Transfer | Faculty/Centre/College | Assessor/Education Manager | 7 years |
University records must only be disposed of in accordance with the University’s Records Disposal Process as outlined in the Records Framework Procedure. Authorisation must be obtained from the Director of VET, Records Management Services and the Director of Academic Services or their delegate prior to disposal. Records must not be destroyed where it is known that those records may likely be required in evidence, either now or in the future.
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