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Student

• I am not sure which training provider to approach
• My evidence is too old
• I can't find subject details for a previous course
• It feels like the process is undermining my skills and my experience in the workplace
• The training costs too much
• I can't find the evidence I need
• I have lost touch with my old work
• I am worried you are collecting the wrong kind of evidence
• I don't know where to start
• How much recognition can I get?
• Do training providers have to offer recognition services?
• When should I apply for recognition?
• What will it cost in time and money?
• How long will the process take?
• Do I need to attend classes while I’m waiting for a decision?
• Will recognition change my status as a student for other purposes?

I am not sure which training provider to approach

You can use the self evaluation tool to search training providers by location (i.e. how close is it to where you live and work) and by what kind of training they offer. You can also search for training providers in the Yellow Pages or talk to people from your industry who might know who the best trainers are. You can also check the National Training Information Service.

There is more information about finding the right training provider on the Choose a training provider page.

You may find the RTO checklist helpful when trying to choose a Registered Training Organisation(RTO).

My evidence is too old

The best kind of evidence is timely evidence. Evidence that reflects skills and experience that you have used recently. If there have been significant changes to legislation or common practise in your area of expertise you may need to update your skills before getting assessed.

The best kind of evidence is:

• Sufficient
• Valid
• Authentic
• Current

I can't find subject details for a previous course

You might be having trouble finding out the subject details of a course you studied in the past. This is especially common if you studied a while ago or in another country. The first thing to consider here is whether it is worth trying to track this information down at all. In many cases it will not be.

If you studied 10 years ago for example, your coursework may no longer be relevant because of the time gap, technology changes, or changes to legislation governing your industry. Areas such as Accounting, Occupational Health and Safety, and Computer Technology have all changed significantly in the past six or seven years due to changes in legislation or technological developments.

Your more recent work experience, applying what you learnt from that study, will be a much better way of demonstrating you can meet the current standards needed for a competency.

It feels like the process is undermining my skills and my experience in the workplace

Occasionally some people who go through the skills recognition process say they feel they are being asked to prove they can do their jobs. This can feel bad, especially when they have been working in the same industry for many years.

It is important to remember that skills recognition is not a judgement of your level of ability, nor is it designed to demean or belittle your work experience. Instead, skills recognition should provide a measuring stick that can be applied to all people who work in skilled areas. The more work experience you have, the more confident you can be that your skills and experience may match a qualification.

For some people, the documentation of aspects of their working life can be a very rewarding experience.

The training costs too much

A workplace assessment can be very expensive in some circumstances. It is therefore worth talking to Centrelink about alternate funding arrangements as there are a number of state and government funding programs that may be able to provide you with financial assistance.

Find out more about benefits and costs.

I can't find the evidence I need

If you can't find written documentation to support your claim towards a qualification you can use other means of evidence, for example, a demonstration, taxation records, newsletters, photos or video (to name just a few). How you chose to demonstrate your skills is not as important as the skills themselves.

If you are currently working, your Training Provider may be prepared to include a Competency Conversation, or assessment interview, as part of the assessment process. This can often be conducted in your workplace, where all your evidence will be at your fingertips. Find out more about evidence.

I have lost touch with my old work

What happens if the company you used to work for no longer exists, or for various reasons you no longer have contact with people from your old job? Can you still collect evidence about that job?

Yes, you can. The reason for this is that evidence you have created yourself or can demonstrate yourself is the most valuable kind of evidence. While assessors can use references as a guide, primary evidence that is directly created by you, is the best kind of evidence.

You may have work documents at home you can submit or perhaps you can demonstrate your skills in your new workplace or in a demonstration workshop.

I am worried you are collecting the wrong kind of evidence

One common trap that people who are seeking skills recognition fall into is collecting too much information, or more specifically too much of the wrong kind of information. The best way to overcome this is to select the qualification you are aiming for first, identify the core units and which elective units you want to do and address your evidence very specifically and systematically to those units. That way you only collect the right kind of evidence, the kind of evidence that will allow you to meet your goals quickly and correctly. The self evaluation tool can help you make this list.

I don't know where to start

Working out what skills you have, what qualification you should work towards and what evidence you can collect to support your application can be a bit daunting at first. Once you have a good understanding of the process however, you will be in a better position to make skills recognition work for you. It is worth taking some time browsing through the siet to get a broad picture of how the process can work for you.

You may also like to ask questions of training organisations in your area. There are some examples of questions you might like to ask on the choose a training provider page.

How much recognition can I get?

If you have the evidence to show that you can demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed, the minimum recognition is one unit of competence and the maximum is a full qualification.

Do training providers have to offer recognition services?

RTOs are required to demonstrate that recognition services have been offered to all enrolling students and that appropriate information and advice has been made available.

New government initiatives have put a greater focus on skills recognition. The onus is now on RTOs to offer recognition prior to enrolment, rather than the student being responsible for enquiring about it.

When should I apply for recognition?

Although you can apply for recognition at any time, it is best to do it at enrolment time or as soon as possible afterwards.

What will it cost in time and money?

Preparing the evidence for your RPL application will take time. The responsibility for gathering the evidence lies with you. The more preparation you do the less time the application may take.

If you are already enrolled in the course leading to the qualification you are seeking, there may be no charge.  If you are not enrolled, there is usually a fee for your recognition claim to be assessed. You need to check with the staff at the training provider. Remember to ask what their fee includes.

How long will the process take?

Training providers try to complete the process as quickly as possible.  How soon they can make a decision on your claim depends partly on how well you have prepared your evidence. Different RTOs will have different time frames but about three weeks is probably a reasonable time to expect a decision after you have lodged your application.

Do I need to attend classes while I’m waiting for a decision?

Generally yes. Different training providers may have different approaches, but it would be wise to keep up with your study in case your recognition application isn’t successful.

Will recognition change my status as a student for other purposes?

If you have some income support, or hold a temporary visa and are granted recognition, it may mean that you do not need to attend for the full tuition time per week. This may affect the conditions of your income payments or visa. You need to check with staff at your training provider.