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Assessment · RTO 45156 · CRICOS 03981M

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Already have the skills? RPL assesses the experience you have gained at work or in life against a qualification — so you are recognised for what you can already do, and only train for what you can’t.

What RPL is

Recognition for the skills you already have

Recognition of Prior Learning is available for the following qualifications:
• BSB50120 Diploma of Business (Operations)
• BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management
• CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support
• CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
• CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
• CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services
• SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
• SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
• SIT50422 Diploma of Hospitality Management

Certain units require practical demonstration and cannot be recognised from a portfolio of evidence alone. This applies to first aid and CPR.

Where an applicant already holds a Statement of Attainment or qualification for a unit issued by another
Australian registered training organisation, that unit is granted through credit transfer rather than
Recognition of Prior Learning. No assessment is undertaken, and an administrative fee of $100 per
application applies.

Applicants are encouraged to contact ALIT before enrolling to confirm which pathway applies to their
circumstances.

RPL is
An assessment of the skills and knowledge you already have.
A way to have units recognised without repeating training you don't need.
Held to the same standard as every other assessment we run.
RPL is not
Not a guarantee — a qualified assessor makes the decision on your evidence.
Not a shortcut — you provide genuine evidence of your experience.
Not automatic — where evidence falls short of a unit, gap training is needed.
The pathway

Eight steps, start to finish

Here is the whole journey, so you know what to expect. We don’t promise a fixed turnaround — your assessor gives you a realistic estimate once your application is in.

1
EnquiryAdmissions
You tell us the qualification you are interested in and a little about your work history. We advise honestly whether RPL suits your situation, or whether another pathway fits you better.
2
RPL kit and pre-assessmentAdmissions
If RPL looks like a fit, we send you the RPL kit — the application form with a unit-by-unit self-assessment, the evidence guide, and a summary of the process. RPL fees apply and are set out in the kit.
3
Application received and assessor allocatedAdmissions
You submit your application and evidence portfolio. We confirm your USI and signed agreement, give you an application reference, and allocate a qualified assessor.
4
Evidence mappingRPL Assessor
Your assessor maps your evidence against each unit of competency. Where evidence does not fully cover a unit, the assessor tells you what else is needed — gaps are normal, not a failure.
5
Competency conversation and verificationRPL Assessor
You talk your assessor through how you have done the work in practice. With your consent, we may contact a workplace referee to verify your experience.
6
Assessment decisionRPL Assessor
Your assessor judges your evidence against the required standard — the same standard applied to every learner — using the Rules of Evidence: valid, sufficient, authentic and current.
7
Moderation and quality checkAcademic Head
The decision and its recorded reasons are checked to make sure the assessment is fair, consistent and properly documented before an outcome is issued.
8
Outcome and certificationAcademic Head
You receive a written outcome. Where units are recognised, certification documentation is issued. Where gap training is needed, you receive a written plan. You have the right to appeal any decision.
Outcomes & your rights

Every outcome is honest — and appealable

An RPL assessment has three possible outcomes. Whatever the result, you have the right to appeal.

Fully recognised
You are assessed competent in all units. Your certification documentation is issued and we contact you about collection.
Partly recognised
Some units are recognised now. You receive a Statement of Attainment for those, plus a written gap-training plan for the rest, with its timeline and any fees.
Not recognised this time
The evidence available was not enough to recognise the units against the required standard. This reflects the evidence assessed, not your ability — you can enrol in the training pathway, and fees are handled per our refund policy.
Your right to appeal

If you disagree with any assessment decision, you can appeal under our Complaints and Appeals Policy. Your appeal is reviewed by a person not involved in the original decision, and it is at no cost to you. We also offer language, literacy and numeracy support and reasonable adjustments — just ask.

Student reviews

What ourgraduates say

★★★★★ 4.9 / 5.0
“Studying at ALIT was a turning point in my career. The hands-on training and industry-experienced trainers gave me the confidence to succeed in the security industry.
James T. Security Services Graduate

FAQ

Common questions

Recognition of Prior Learning is a genuine assessment of skills and knowledge you already have — from paid work, volunteering or life experience. Where your evidence meets the standard for a unit, that unit is recognised and you do not repeat training you do not need. It is held to the same standard as every other assessment we run, and it is available for every qualification we offer. You can ask about it before you enrol.

No, on both counts. RPL is not a guarantee — a qualified assessor makes the decision on the evidence you provide. It is not a shortcut either: you supply genuine evidence of your experience and it is judged against the same standard as any other assessment. Where your evidence falls short of a unit, gap training is needed for that unit.

Credit transfer applies where an applicant already holds a completed unit or qualification equivalent to one within their course, recognised from an AQF certificate or an authenticated transcript. No assessment is undertaken, and an administrative fee of $100 per application applies regardless of the number of units claimed. Recognition of Prior Learning applies to skills and knowledge gained through work or life experience, which must be assessed against the qualification. Applicants who hold formal qualifications should advise ALIT, as credit transfer may be the more straightforward pathway.

Fees depend on the qualification. Course and enrolment fees range from $2,150 to $3,650. An assessment fee of $250 applies. Where the assessor identifies gaps, gap training is charged at $150 to $250 per unit; this is never automatic and is confirmed in writing before an applicant proceeds. A full written breakdown of all fees is provided before any payment is taken.

We do not promise a fixed turnaround, because it depends on how complete your evidence is and how quickly referees can verify it. Your assessor gives you a realistic estimate once your application is in. The eight-step pathway on this page sets out every stage, so you can see what happens between applying and your outcome. Preparing your evidence early is the single biggest thing that shortens it.

This is a common and expected outcome. Where some units are recognised, a Statement of Attainment is issued for those units, together with a written gap-training plan for the remainder so that the full qualification can be completed. Certification documentation is issued in accordance with ALIT's certification procedure. Where no units can be recognised, no Statement of Attainment is issued; written reasons are provided, the applicant may enrol in the training pathway, and fees are handled under the ALIT Refund Policy. Any assessment decision may be appealed at no cost.

Yes. We offer language, literacy and numeracy support and reasonable adjustments to the way you are assessed — just ask, at any stage. You can also complete the language, literacy and numeracy assessment so we understand how best to support you. Asking for support does not affect your assessment outcome.

You can appeal any assessment decision under our Complaints and Appeals Policy. Your appeal is reviewed by someone who was not involved in the original decision, and it is at no cost to you. Ask our team and we will walk you through how to lodge it — you can also read the policy in full.

Yes. Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment pathway, not a separate qualification. Applicants are assessed against the same standard and receive the same nationally recognised AQF certification, issued by ALIT as RTO 45156.

Recognition of Prior Learning may cost less than the standard study pathway and may significantly reduce the time required to complete a qualification.

Evidence must reflect an applicant's current skills, not only past experience. This is the currency requirement within the Rules of Evidence and applies to every assessment ALIT conducts. There is no fixed cut-off date. The assessor considers whether the applicant's practice remains current for the unit,and industries change at different rates. Applicants who have been away from the industry for an extended period should advise ALIT at enquiry so that the appropriate pathway can be identified.

This is a common situation and does not automatically preclude an application. A third-party report from a supervisor is one form of evidence, not the only form. Payslips and employment records, position descriptions, work samples, training records, photographs or video of work performed, and the applicant's own account given during the competency conversation may all contribute. Where a referee is unavailable, applicants should advise their assessor at the earliest opportunity so that the requirements for the portfolio can be confirmed. ALIT cannot accept evidence that it is unable to authenticate.