Academy³ accepts that learning takes place through formal study, informal learning in the workplace and from life experience.

This policy outlines how students may apply to have their prior learning recognised by academy³ and what procedures academy³ has in place to assess a student’s learning and work/life experience.

Scope

This policy applies to students enrolled or intending to enrol in academy³ Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. RPL applies to nationally recognised units and qualifications.

Definitions

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): the recognition given for the knowledge, skills and experience a student has acquired through work, education, training and life experiences. Recognition may be given for formal, informal and non-formal learning experiences as required to meet some or all of the requirements of a nationally recognised unit or qualification.

Recognition Process: the collection of evidence of previous learning which is submitted and subject to an assessment process resulting in a judgement being made on the specific skills, knowledge and attitudes gained through previous study, work and life experiences. Recognition is awarded on a unit of competency basis and is granted on one or more of the following grounds (if applicable):

Mutual recognition: Recognition for units of competency awarded from previous study of a course offered by any Registered Training Organisation (Australia). The course in which the student is wishing to enrol in or is enrolled in, must have the identical unit of competency (including competency code) as the unit of competency for which recognition is being sort.

Credit transfer: Recognition awarded for units of competency received from formal study at another training organisation. A student may be required to undertake a formal assessment of learning as part of this process.

Experiential recognition: Recognition granted for non-formal and informal learning for a unit of competency(s) which is part of a course in which a student wishes to enrol in or is currently enrolled in. Non-formal and informal learning are recognised by the assessment of work and life experiences respectively. A student may also be required to undertake a formal assessment of learning as part of this process.

Evidence: Evidence tendered in support of an application for RPL must be authentic, valid, reliable, current and sufficient.

Authentic – the candidate’s own work

Valid – directly related to the current version of the relevant endorsed unit of competency

Reliable – shows that the candidate consistently meets the standards of the endorsed unit of competency

Current – reflects the candidate’s current capacity to perform the aspect of the work covered by the endorsed unit of competency

Sufficient – covers the full range of elements in the relevant unit of competency and addresses the four dimensions of competency, namely; task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills, and job/ role environment skills

Policy Provisions

Academy³ has in place the following procedures to assess a student’s prior learning activities:

Assessment of a Recognition Application: It is the responsibility of Academy³ to engage an assessor that has qualifications and experience in the relevant industry and at the required level to undertake the assessment.

Fee Schedule: Fees for the processing of an application for RPL will vary depending upon the complexity of each task. Please contact us to recive an obligation free quote for this service.

Awarding of Recognition: Although recognition may be partially granted within a unit of competency, the full fee for that unit will still be levied (exemption from items of assessment, however, may still apply). Recognition may be awarded for as many as 100% of the units of competency associated with a VET nationally recognised qualification.

Notification of Assessment Outcome: It is the responsibility of academy³ to notify the student or prospective student of the outcome of their recognition application. The notification will contain the following details:

• The units of competency for which recognition has been granted
• The remaining units of competencies to be achieved before the qualification can be awarded
• Clear reasons why recognition was not granted for units of competency for which recognition was requested

Appeal: Students will be given the opportunity to appeal a decision relating to an RPL assessment only on the basis of the following conditions

• An administrative error made by academy³
• Misinterpretation of the evidence by the assessor, or
• Submission of new or additional evidence

The appeal must be received by academy³ in writing. The Director of Studies will communicate the final decision made to the student or prospective student.

Application process

To commence an application for RPL, students are encouraged to contact academy³ for an initial consultation and informal appraisal (at no cost).