Recognition of Prior Learning
Your experience may already be worth recognising.
You have built skills through work, business, leadership, training and life. Recognition of Prior Learning gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that competence against a nationally recognised qualification instead of unnecessarily repeating what you already know.
The free skills review is an initial suitability conversation, not an RPL assessment or guarantee of credit or a qualification.
What you have done
Leadership, business ownership, projects, systems, teams and workplace responsibilities.
What can be verified
Work samples, conversations, demonstrations, records and third party evidence.
What meets the standard
A qualified assessor evaluates evidence against every requirement of the relevant training product.
RPL is not a shortcut around standards.
It is a different pathway to the same nationally recognised outcome.
You must demonstrate current competence against all relevant unit requirements. Where evidence does not cover a requirement, additional evidence, assessment or gap training may be needed.
What changes for you
Do not relearn what you can already prove.
A well managed RPL process can reduce repeated training and focus your time on demonstrating the skills you already use.
- Start with your real experience. Your work and responsibilities become the starting point.
- Use more than paperwork. Evidence can include conversations, demonstrations and workplace materials.
- See the gaps clearly. Your assessor explains what is covered and what still requires evidence or development.
- Work towards a valid outcome. Successful assessment can result in credit for units, a Statement of Attainment or a qualification where all requirements are met.
Current RPL qualification pathways
Match your experience to the right level.
The qualification codes below replace the superseded codes previously displayed on this page. Eligibility depends on your experience, evidence and assessment against every unit requirement.
Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business
For people who have established or operated a business, developed a new venture or taken responsibility for practical business planning and operations.
- Business plans and opportunities
- Finance, marketing and compliance
- Customer and operational systems
Diploma of Business
For experienced people who contribute across business operations, communication, resources, projects, customer service and workplace decision making.
- Business operations and resources
- Communication and critical thinking
- Planning, systems and risk
Diploma of Leadership and Management
For supervisors, team leaders and managers who lead people, communicate with influence, manage performance and support workplace outcomes.
- Team leadership and relationships
- Performance and operational planning
- Communication and emotional intelligence
Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management
For experienced leaders with responsibility for strategic direction, complex problem solving, organisational leadership and significant business outcomes.
- Strategic leadership and change
- Complex problem solving
- Organisational capability and performance
Explore your starting point
Which experience sounds most like yours?
Choose the closest description to see a possible qualification conversation. This tool does not determine RPL eligibility.
We will show you a possible starting point for the free skills review.
Only a formal RPL assessment can determine credit or competency.A clear RPL journey
From experience to an assessed outcome.
You will know what happens next, what evidence is required and where additional work may be needed.
Free skills review
Discuss your experience, goals and possible qualification pathway. This initial review is free and is not an assessment outcome.
Suitability check
Review the qualification requirements, likely evidence, fees, timeframes, support needs and whether RPL appears suitable.
Evidence plan
Map your current work and supporting evidence against the units included in the agreed qualification pathway.
Assessment
A qualified assessor evaluates your evidence. This may include professional conversations, demonstrations, work samples and third party reports.
Address gaps
If requirements are not fully demonstrated, you may provide further evidence or complete gap training and assessment where available.
Final outcome
Competent units may receive credit. A qualification is issued only when every packaging and unit requirement has been successfully met.
Evidence from real work
Show what you know in more than one way.
Evidence must be authentic, current, relevant and sufficient. Your assessor will explain what is appropriate for your pathway.
Graduate experience
Recognition of Prior Learning graduate testimonial
“A huge thank you to Ricky and Marc for the amazing experience, and an extra special thank you to Ricky for believing in me, encouraging me to keep going when I was ready to give up and having faith in me when I did not.”JH | Recognition of Prior Learning graduate
Testimonial reflects one learner’s experience. Individual RPL experiences and outcomes vary. Australian Institute of Learning should retain written evidence of testimonial consent.
Questions before you begin
Know what RPL does and does not mean.
Is Recognition of Prior Learning a qualification without assessment?
No. RPL is an assessment pathway. A qualified assessor must determine whether your evidence demonstrates every relevant unit requirement. No qualification or credit is automatic.
Is the skills review really free?
The initial skills review is free. It is a preliminary discussion about your experience and possible suitability. If you proceed, RPL assessment fees and any gap training costs must be disclosed before enrolment.
Can RPL give me a complete qualification?
Possibly, but only where you successfully demonstrate competency for every required unit and all qualification packaging rules are met. Partial credit or a Statement of Attainment may be the appropriate outcome in other cases.
What happens if my evidence has gaps?
Your assessor may request additional evidence or another assessment method. Where available and suitable, gap training and assessment may be offered. Costs and arrangements must be agreed before you proceed.
How long does RPL take?
Timeframes vary according to the qualification, the quality and organisation of your evidence, assessor availability and whether gaps need to be addressed. A timeframe should be discussed after the initial review.
Will RPL guarantee a promotion, pay rise or new job?
No. A nationally recognised outcome may support career or further study goals, but employment, promotion, income and admission decisions are made by employers and other organisations.
Your first step costs nothing
Let us review the experience you already have.
Request a free skills review with Australian Institute of Learning. We will discuss your goals, the evidence you may have and whether an RPL pathway appears suitable before you decide whether to proceed.