Recognition of

Prior Learning
(RPL)
Information Booklet

WELCOME

NAVITAS HEALTH SKILLS AUSTRALIA Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Information Booklet

Introduction
In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Health Skills Australia (HSA) offers students
the opportunity to obtain recognition for existing skills and knowledge, which have been obtained through formal training/education or
learning from any experiential environment (e.g. recreation clubs, employment, voluntary work), on their entrance into a formal course.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that assesses the individuals non-formal and informal learning to
determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required learning outcomes, competency outcomes, or standards for
entry to, and/or partial or total completion of, a qualification (AQTF, 2010, pp.75) and involves the assessment of the competence of
the person (Docking, 2010, pp.3).

Credit Transfer
Credit Transfer (CT) involves the assessment of the equivalence of a course (Docking, 2010, pp.3) or unit of competence. RPL
applicants may be eligible for CT upon presentation of a Statement of Attainment (see definition below) which demonstrates that study
has been successfully completed in one or more of the units of competence of the course in which they are commencing.

Definitions
Competence
Competence involves the demonstration of skills and knowledge that may be demonstrated as a result of previous training completed,
life experiences, work roles and can be matched against industry performance standards which are grouped together to form a
qualification.

Competent/Not Yet Competent

Competent (C) is the term used to indicate a successful assessment outcome and completion of study in a Unit of Competence or
Competency.
If a student, or candidate, is not successful (i.e. not deemed competent), however, in a unit of competence the assessment outcome is
recorded as Not Yet Competent (NYC).

Course Outline
Each course of study may be presented in a Course Outline document that includes:
The length or duration of the course
The units of competence or competencies included in the course
Possible/probable outcomes from the course
N.B. The Course Outline does not:
indicate successful completion by the course participant
provide evidence of attendance at or participation in the course
provide valid evidence for an RPL assessment

Curriculum Vitae
A Curriculum Vitae (CV), which translates from Latin to mean course of life, is a detailed account of a persons career.
Depending on the individuals professional or work experience it is likely to be several pages long and contain comprehensive details of
his/her education (formal or informal), awards and/or certificates, employment history, professional or work roles, conferences or
seminars attended, professional development, professional and/or committee alliances, professional presentations, publications,
research and any volunteer or community work.

Further Evidence Required

The term Further Evidence Required (FER) is used if there has not been sufficient evidence gained during the RPL assessment process
and, usually, infers an assessment outcome of NYC.

Resume
In contrast to a CV a persons Resume is, as suggested by the French origin of the term, a summary of an individuals professional career
and/or work experience. As such, it is usually 2-3 pages in length.

NAVITAS HEALTH SKILLS AUSTRALIA Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Information Booklet

Statement of Attainment
A Statement of Attainment (SOA) lists the units of competence, for a qualification, in which the bearer (student or RPL candidate) has
been deemed competent via formal training and assessment and is required for the HSA Assessors consideration of CT and may be
sought to assist with the RPL assessment.

Statement of Results
A Statement of Results (SOR), while similar to a Statement of Attainment, this document contains information about study undergone in
a calendar year and may not indicate completion of a course or attainment of competence in its components.

Units of Competence
Courses or qualifications are compiled of selected units of competency.
Each unit is divided into elements which are sets of activities that lead to an overall achievement or demonstration of
competency.
Each element is broken down into performance criteria at a level of competence the industry requires each participant to
perform in the workplace.
To perform at this level of competency the participant needs a required amount of essential knowledge and perform a required
number of essential skills which are, also, included in each of the unit outlines.

Unit Outline
The specific elements, performance criteria, essential knowledge and essential skills for each unit of competence in a course or
qualification, as stipulated by the AQTF, are presented in documents known as unit outlines and are accessible via http://training.gov.
au. The unit outline is used to guide the HSA Assessor to evaluate the competence of the RPL candidate for each competency identified.

Participating in the RPL Process

As the RPL assessor is required to ensure that candidates have the skills and knowledge to meet the industry standard applicants are
involved in a careful and comprehensive process that covers the content of all the unit/s in which they are eligible to receive
recognition.
This process requires HSAs RPL applicants to attend an interview, provide evidence of any training completed, provide evidence of work
experience and may include the undertaking of written and/or practical test(s). Being prepared can save valuable time and reduce
stress during the process.

Preparation:
1. Develop a CV and record information about where you have worked (either paid or unpaid), what your role(s) was/were, what your
responsibilities were and duties you performed in this/these position(s).
2. Gather copies of position descriptions and, if applicable, any performance appraisals in which you have participated while
working in the roles indicated in your CV.
3. Consider the possibilities for workplace contact. Are you in a workplace that is supporting your goals to get qualified? Would you
feel comfortable to have the RPL assessor contact your workplace or previous workplaces so your skills can be validated?
4. Think about who can confirm your skill level. Think about current or recent supervisors who have seen you work in the past 18
months and will be able to confirm your skills as the RPL assessor may need to contact them. You may also have community
contacts or even clients themselves who can vouch for your skills level.
5. Collect any certificates from in-house training or formal training which you have completed.
6. You may speak with HSAs assessor about other ways you can show your skills in the industry. These could be letters from
employers, records of your professional development sessions, employers or clients in related industries or government agencies,
acknowledgements, workplace forms (as long as they dont show client details) or other relevant documents.
7. It is important that you attend all assessment related interviews that may be scheduled and bring with you any requested/
required evidence or information. If you are unable to attend for some reason, you should contact student services and
reschedule the appointment as failure to attend interviews or provide the requested/required evidence or information may result
in an unsuccessful assessment outcome.

NAVITAS HEALTH SKILLS AUSTRALIA Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Information Booklet

Steps in the RPL Process

Step 1 Application
You may apply for Recognition at any stage during the course but, preferably, before commencement of study in the unit(s) of study for
which you are seeking recognition.

Complete all sections of the Self-Assessment and Application Forms as follows:

Applicant Details

Complete this section by providing current details in clear hand printing with a blue or black pen.
Professional Referees

Please complete this section with the details (names, positions held and contacts) of, at least, two referees who can confirm your
experience, skills and/or knowledge.
Employment History

Provide a summary of your previous employment experiences (in healthcare or other industry as applicable to the areas
outlined in the self-assessment section of this document) with the most recent stated first.
As your employment history may be more extensive than the form provides room to document please feel free to attach
records of any additional employment history as may be appropriate.
This is your first opportunity, but not the last, to provide proof of your variety of experience.

Evidence Documents
Please list, in this section, each the documents provided, with your application, as evidence of your prior learning/experience. These
may include:
General employment documents:

A full CV showing work history, roles, responsibilities and duties performed

Licence(s) or Registration certificate(s)
Industry awards
Statement(s) of Attainment
Certificates of attendance, completion and/or qualification of any (internal or external) in-service education, workshops,
seminars, symposiums or training
Certificates of attendance, completion and/or qualifications for any special skills that apply to any voluntary or nonemployment roles, responsibilities
Written references/letters from previous employers/supervisors
Workplace documents:

Position descriptions
Statement(s) of Results
Copies of performance appraisals
Details of in-house courses, workshops, seminars, orientation or induction sessions
Site training record(s), Site competencies held record(s), Diaries, Task sheets, Job sheets, Log books (for sighting only). A
record of what, of these, is available should be provided on the Application and Self-Assessment Forms
Details of membership of relevant professional associations
Any other documentation that demonstrates industry experience
Depending on the industry you have worked in, you may or may not have documentary evidence available. This should not deter you
from seeking RPL as the Assessor will work with you, during the assessment process to identify and demonstrate your skills and
knowledge.
Declaration

Please complete this section before submitting your application forms.

Submission of Forms
Attach all documents listed as Evidence Documents and submit in person, or by post, to HSA Student Services, Level 3, 206 Bourke St.,
Melbourne, VIC 3000.

NAVITAS HEALTH SKILLS AUSTRALIA Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Information Booklet

Step 2 Assessment Conversion

Self-Assessment

Complete the table by placing a tick () in the appropriate column, which best describes your skill level (have SOA [Statement of
Attainment], confident, need support or unable to perform) in the row or each unit of competence. A descriptor of each unit is
provided to assist you in identifying your skill levels.
The RPL assessor will review the information you have provided, begin to match up your skills to the units/subjects in the qualification
and, subsequently, seek to meet with you to:
conduct an Assessment Conversation or interview
discuss the possible outcomes of your RPL application
authenticate the evidence you have provided with your application
prior to this assessment you will be required to complete a self-assessment form. This course-specific document can be
obtained from Moodle following your enrolment.
In this meeting you will be:
assisted to discuss your previous experience with the assessor who will understand your industry experience
required to answer healthcare related questions to identify your current level of knowledge and skills
demonstrate, perhaps, your ability to perform the role in a different context
N.B. The assessor may take an audio recording of this conversation but is required to gain your consent to do so before commencing
such a recording.

Step 3 Gathering Evidence

In order to complete your RPL assessment you may be requested to access and/or provide additional forms of evidence including:
Authentication of your experience, skills or evidence documents from your workplace supervisors and/or referees via:
Verbal References
Third Party Reports
It may be deemed necessary for you to undergo a written test to provide evidence of required knowledge
The assessor may conduct a practical skills test at your workplace (if appropriate) or at a suitable venue (e.g. the on-campus
skills laboratory):
This, again, is an opportunity to demonstrate your level of competence while on the job
This assessment will be focussed on skills that are required for the qualification
Your assessor will identify the skills that he/she wants you to demonstrate and inform you of these prior to the event

Step 4 Assessment Judgement

The assessment judgement, which is based on data secured during the assessment process, requires that RPL evidence is:
Authentic in that it is confirmed as being applicable to the individual candidate
Valid in that it relates directly to the current version of the unit(s) of competence
Reliable in that it demonstrates consistency of performance over time
Current in that it represents the candidates present level of knowledge and skills
Sufficient in that all the essential requirements of the unit(s), in addition to the dimensions of competence, are
unquestionably proven
Following completion of the Assessment Judgement the HSA Assessor will arrange to meet with you to:
Discuss the Assessment Outcomes achieved
Enable signing of the Assessment Judgement Records
Finalise the process
Provide you with an opportunity to evaluate the process
Discuss options arising from the assessment process
Assessment Outcomes

Your RPL result will be recorded, for each unit of competence, as either:
Competent (C) if you are successful or
Not Yet Competent (NYC) if you are unsuccessful and/or if any Further Evidence is Required (FER)

NAVITAS HEALTH SKILLS AUSTRALIA Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Information Booklet

Appealing the Assessment Judgement

All RPL candidates have the right to appealing the Assessment Outcome via:
1. Firstly - seeking resolution with the appropriate RPL Assessor
2. Secondly - consulting the relevant Course Coordinator, for a review of the assessment judgement, if a resolution is not achieved
3. Thirdly and finally - consulting HSAs Registered Training Organisation (RTO) manager, for a review of the assessment judgement,
if a resolution is still not achieved

References
Australian Quality Training Framework. (2010). Users Guide to the Essential
Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration, Version 2010.
Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
Docking, R. (2010).
Recognition of Prior Learning Participant Workshop Manual.
Melbourne: Innovation and Business Skills Australia.

Blackburn Office
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Blackburn VIC 3130
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Brisbane QLD 4000
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Melbourne VIC 3000
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Sydney NSW 2000
T 1300 306 886
E info@healthskills.com.au
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