What is Recognition of Prior Learning?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process that determines whether a person’s skills, knowledge and experience align to those required by one or more units of competency, based on what they have learnt through their work experience, previous training and education with TAFE SA or any other institutions or life experience, such as community involvement.
The following information will step you through the application for a RPL of the unit based on your current skills, knowledge and experience.When considering your suitability for RPL please be mindful that evidence supplied must be your own work and reflect current industry practice.
Steps in the RPL Process
All RPL applicants are required to undertake the following steps:Step 1: RPL Self-Assessment
Step 2: Commence the RPL application
Step 3: Completing the RPL process on the TAFE SA Learn platform
The details for the 3 steps above are provided below.
Step 1: RPL Self-Assessment
To assist you in the RPL process, a free Self-Assessment online tool is available for each unit to check your suitability to apply for the RPL.
This is the first step before you complete an application form and pay the RPL Fee.
This tool is to check your suitability by self-assessing your skills and knowledge against the performance criteria, skills and knowledge covered in the unit you wish to the RPL apply. The Self-Assessment tool for all units can be found on the webpage below.
Click on RPL Student Self-Assessment Gateway
This web page has a tab for all qualifications under Accounting and Finance program. Please select the qualification you are studying and click on the unit of competency you want to apply the RPL for.
You will be able to download the RPL Student Self-Assessment tool specific to the unit. You will be required to complete this form and email along with the RPL Application. If you identify any gaps in your knowledge / skills according to the information given for the unit in the Unit descriptor, then we would recommend to rather go for a Learning and Assessment pathway for the unit.
If you are unsure of your suitability for an RPL application, please discuss your options with your RPL assessor/lecturer.
Step 2: Commence RPL Application
Once you have checked your suitability using the RPL-Self Assessment form of the unit, please complete the following steps below to apply for RPL:
1. Completing a RPL application form-Download the RPL application form by clicking on <RPL application form>.
Include your student ID and Unit of Competency name and national code in the form.
The completed "RPL application form" along with the completed "RPL Student Self-Assessment form" for the unit needs to be emailed to BusArts@tafesa.edu.au for processing and generating an Invoice.
Please ensure that you cc the relevant Lecturer of the unit in this email.
You can find the email id of the Lecturer allocated for each specific unit from the RPL Student Self-Assessment Gateway.
2. Pay the RPL Fee-
Check the RPL fee using the link below. This needs to be paid in order to gain access to the RPL Assessment tool of the unit on the TAFE SA Learn platform.
Refer to the Course Fees and RPL Fees Gateway
This page includes a Fee advice for all qualifications. To check the RPL fee check the RPL fee column on the Fee Advice document.
You are required to pay your RPL fee within 7 days after receiving the Invoice through your ‘MY TAFESA’ account.(Steps to pay can be found by clicking on ‘Pay Invoice’)
Please note that it may take few weeks for the admin team to generate the invoice into your ‘MY TAFESA’ account.
Once you have paid the Invoice, please email the Lecturer of the unit and cc the email FJP.RPL@tafesa.edu.au
You will be given access to the unit's RPL Learn platform within 5 business days of the confirmation of fee payment.
*Please note that enrolment in the CRN is not required if you want to apply for RPL of a unit of competency.
Step 3: Completing the RPL process on the unit's RPL Learn platform.
The RPL process on the Learn platform of the unit will involve collecting and submitting evidences to show your competency in all the listed criteria, knowledge evidence, performance evidence and foundation skills stated in the unit descriptor.
There is a variety of documentation that can be used as evidence. This includes, but is not limited to:
- records of completed training that relates to the criteria of the unit
- declarations from your employer, and/or
- a copy of your academic transcript if completed a similar unit of competency
- completing workplace simulated tasks / competency questions to give knowledge evidence
- verbal interview with the lecturer
The lecturer will advise you of the outcome of your application after going through your evidence submissions. If the RPL process is completed to a Satisfactory standard the final outcome of the RPL application is "RPL granted". The grade “RP” will be updated on your academic transcript.
If your RPL process is unsuccessful, the final outcome will be "RPL not granted" . In this case you will be required to complete the unit by Learning and Assessment pathway which requires enrolling in the CRN of the unit on my TAFE SA.