Credit and Recognition – introduction

Version 1.2 | 20-01-2021

This information applies to all students enrolled in (or applying for) our tertiary / VET courses

What is Credit and Recognition?

Credit and Recognition is an assessment-only pathway to attain a unit of competency. The process does not involve any teaching or training. It is a process of assessing an individual’s prior learning and/or experience to determine their competency against a nationally recognised unit of competency.

Successful applicants:

  • are granted credit for unit/s of competency, and (potentially) for whole qualifications where all relevant units have been attained
  • may be granted a reduction in course load/duration and tuition fees, however administrative and assessment fees may still apply.

Nationally recognised qualifications and units of competency

Competency standards are specified in nationally recognised units of competency. An application for Credit and Recognition must refer directly to these standards at a unit level.

  • see each of our course pages for qualification titles/codes and lists of relevant units
  • see https://training.gov.au/Search for details of qualifications and units of competency

Types of Credit and Recognition

Applicants can apply for one or more of:

NATIONAL RECOGNITION for a unit of competency they have previously attained at this Registered Training Organisation (RTO), or at another RTO. We recognise Statements of Attainment issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

CREDIT TRANSFER of the applicant’s attainment in an different unit/module which is equivalent to the unit of competency. We may grant credit transfer when the equivalence between the two units:

  • is clearly stated in an accredited course curriculum or Training Package; or
  • clearly evidenced by equivalence of the competency standards and vocational outcomes of both units.

There are further conditions credit transfers for overseas students.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) where the applicant provides evidence of previous formal and/or informal learning that meets the standards in a unit of competency

RECOGNITION OF CURRENT COMPETENCE (RCC) where the applicant provides evidence of their current skills and knowledge which meet the standards in a unit of competency.

Who can apply for Credit and Recognition?

Any current student, or any person applying for entry to one of our courses, can apply for Credit and Recognition where they:

  • believe they have the previous learning and /or knowledge-and-skills which meet the standards in a unit/s of competency we currently offer; and
  • can provide sufficient documentary evidence to substantiate their claims; or are prepared to prove their current competence by undertaking assessment tasks.

What can an Credit and Recognition application cover?

An application can be made for:

  • a single unit of competency; or
  • multiple units of competency; or
  • an entire qualification – including all relevant units of competency.

We provide Credit and Recognition only for:

  • nationally recognised vocational (VET) units-of-competency;
  • whole units-of-competency within the qualifications on our scope of registration; and
  • students undertaking / completing a complete qualification (course) with us.

Assessment for Credit and Recognition

Credit and Recognition is a robust assessment process that can involve a significant amount of an applicant’s time and effort, and may involve assessment fees. Credit and Recognition may not be the most time and cost efficient method for attaining units or qualifications in all circumstances.

The Credit and Recognition process has an emphasis on the currency of evidence that is provided by an applicant. For example, a person may have completed a course 15 years ago however; the person may have limited experience in the last 10 years.  In this case, credit may not be granted as competency may be lost if it is not maintained and practiced regularly.

Credit and Recognition is an assessment process and the following principles apply:

  • the assessment must be valid, reliable, fair and flexible
  • the evidence provided by the applicant must be: valid, reliable, current, authentic and sufficient
  • the assessment must focus on the application of knowledge and skills to the standard of performance required in the workplace
  • the assessment must confirm that any workplace and/or regulatory requirements have been met.
NEXT: The Credit and Recognition process …