All About RPL

Please note from December 1 2008 changes apply to applications for Recognition of Prior Learning or RPL.

Please contact our Student Services team on 1300 853 033 (inside Australia) or +61 2 9433 3655 (internationally) for a personalised RPL application pack and fee schedule.

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the recognition given for the knowledge and skills a student has acquired through work experience, education, training and life experiences.

The RPL process involves matching the student’s knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of nationally recognised courses to determine whether the student should be given credit for specific units of competency or modules.

Cengage Education acknowledges that relevant knowledge and skills can be acquired through a variety of means, not just through formal education and training.

 

How does RPL work?

Essentially RPL involves providing evidence to establish that your current knowledge and skills match particular units of competency or modules from the course in which you are enrolled in or looking to enrol in. Collecting evidence to establish your claim for RPL is the most important part in the whole process.

If you think you may qualify for RPL for one or more units of competency or modules, you can do the following:

  • Find an RPL support person to help you identify your relevant knowledge and skills, and to assist you in collecting evidence to support your RPL application.
  • Collect evidence to support your RPL application.
  • Forward your RPL Application Form contained in your RPL Application Kit, RPL Evidence and payment to Cengage Education.

 

Once Cengage Education receives your RPL application, the evidence and information you have provided for each unit of competency or module will be assessed by qualified RPL assessors.

You may be contacted during the assessment process by the RPL assessors and asked to provide further information, or to clarify details about the evidence you have supplied.

What are the benefits of RPL?

Because RPL provides formal recognition for your existing knowledge and skills, you don’t have to spend time re-learning what you already know, or demonstrate skills you can already perform.

The benefits for you are:

  • You can gain your qualification in a reduced amount of time.
  • You can concentrate your time and energy on learning new knowledge and skills, starting your Cengage Education course at the right level for you.
  • Credit given to you through the RPL process can be recognised by employers to assist with your career progression.