Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for TAFE courses

This information is for Australian citizens and permanent residents, New Zealand citizens and permanent Australian humanitarian visa holders.

1. Explore course requirements

Visit your course page and navigate to ‘Course structure’ to find the units and credit points required to complete the qualification.

Open the 'Units' section and click on the items to read the descriptions to determine if you have completed the unit previously, or if you have equivalent knowledge gained at work or through other learning. If so, write down the unit name and code to use in your application.

Find your course

2. Download the application form

Find and download the correct form for your application.

Credit transfer form

If you have completed identical or equivalent units at another institute, use the credit transfer form. If your application is approved, you will be granted a credit for the relevant unit(s).

RPL & RCC form

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) acknowledges your learning at a school, TAFE or uni, or during short courses, seminars and workshops. It can also be used to recognise paid and voluntary work experience.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) involves being re-assessed for the qualification you already have. It ensures your skills and knowledge meet current industry standards, where practices have changed (e.g. new technology is introduced).

For either, use the following form.

3. Gather your evidence

You will need to provide supporting evidence for your application.

Please send certified copies, not originals. You may be asked to show the original documents to us at a later stage. 

Overseas or private University transcripts must be provided from the appropriate government body/professional association recognised in Australia. Documents not in English must be accompanied by an English translation from an accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Each document should be clearly identified and numbered as an attachment, and listed on the first page of your application form.

For credit transfer

To be eligible for credit transfer, you need to have qualifications and statements of attainment issued by any Australian Registered Training Organisations (RTO), such as a TAFE or university. 

You will need to provide:

• certified copies of qualifications (what is a certified copy?)
• unit(s) of competency/study/syllabus information from the relevant course guide.

For RPL & RCC

Your evidence should relate to work, study, informal learning and qualifications attained within the past three years, such as:

• current resume or job position descriptions 
• certificates from short courses or professional development activities
• workplace documents, project reports, or third-party reports (references)
• photographs, videos or portfolios.

4. Apply 

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, we will help you to identify any skills that could be recognised as part of your application's pre-training review. From there, it may take up to 4 weeks to assess your RPL/RCC application.

You can apply online, by post or in person.

You’ll need to pay an administrative fee for RPL, but not for credit transfer.

Online

You can upload the application form along with any supporting documentation in the same portal as you apply for the course. 

If you don’t enrol at VU within 12 months of approval, you will need to resubmit your application.

Paper application

You can deliver your application in person to VUHQ or post it the following address, along with supporting documentation.

Admissions and Pathways Office
St Albans Campus, Victoria University
PO Box 14428
Melbourne VIC 8001