RPL Process

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

We recognise that students may have a range of work experience, skills and formal qualifications that are related to international education.

This means that some students:

  • may be able to provide evidence that they meet all of the performance criteria for a particular subject.
  • will not need to complete the assessment tasks of a subject.  Also, note that RPL students can continue to access the online learning materials for the relevant subject.

This also means that students:

  • may not obtain RPL for part of a subject.  A student must show that they satisfy all performance criteria to obtain credit for the whole subject.

Will your prior learning and experience be recognised?

Each subject contains a number of performance criteria.  Evidence of your experience in each performance criteria is required.  To help you identify your relevant experience before you apply for RPL, please refer to the the performance criteria for each subject

How can you apply for RPL for a subject?

These are the steps involved in obtaining RPL:

  1. Complete the Online Application form (see Apply).  In the “Select Subjects” section you need to indicate that you wish to apply for RPL for the subject.
  2. You will receive a letter of offer and an invoice for the subject.
  3. After payment of the subject fee, you will receive the RPL Self-Appraisal Kit by email.
  4. After receiving the RPL Self-Appraisal Kit you have 5 days to decide if you want to continue with the RPL process.
  5. If you decide to continue the RPL process, contact the PIER Manager to begin.
    OR
    If you decide not to continue with the RPL process, then your enrolment continues in the subject.
  6. You need to complete this kit and submit it by mail for assessment by the date arranged by the PIER Course Manager.

The RPL Self-Appraisal Kit

The Kit consists of:

  • An explanation of the RPL process; 
  • Specific details relating to the performance criteria for each subject in which you are enrolled. Each performance criteria is accompanied by an evidence guide and a checklist for you to complete.
  • A checklist relating to workplace skills and attributes.

RPL Evidence

You need to provide evidence that you have met the performance criteria for the subject such as:

  • A third party/supervisor can verify you can demonstrate competence;
  • Responses to questions/interview from your assessor;
  • Written or verbal personal statements  that you have achieved competence;
  • Documentary evidence that you have achieved specific areas of competence. Some example documents are as follows:
    • Formal qualifications in areas covered by the Diploma course material;
    • Policy and procedures documents;
    • Records completed or signed off by candidate eg. incident forms, messages, notes, emails, letters, file notes monitoring events, checklists etc;
    • Minutes/notes of meetings, interviews, consultations written/approved by candidate;
    • Own and staff performance reports related to incidents/issues responses;
    • Written reports developed in relation to issues/incidents;
    • Network contacts lists developed for referral contacts (containing names, addresses, phone numbers, functions etc.); or
    • Testimonials of clients, co-workers or other relevant stakeholders with respect to management and resolution of incidents/issues.
  • A signed record of observation that you have demonstrated competence in the workplace.  For example:
    • Verification by managers or other stakeholders on how efficiently and effectively the work role is performed;
    • Managing own and other people’s behaviour in an incident/issue/event, i.e. providing personal input into the resolution process, and supporting other involved stakeholders in terms of:  
      - how the initiative was used,
      - how timely and appropriate were the responses, and
      - how controlled was the candidate in the situation.
    • Participation in work processes, and ensuring the support of involved persons, eg. through debriefing processes and adequate resource provision;
    • Following the organisation’s continuous improvement process with respect to policy and procedures development; or
    • Ensuring the resolution of issues/incidents, including sign-off.

RPL Assessment

When you have submitted your complete RPL Self-Appraisal Kit and checklist, the PIER Course Manager will arrange to visit you and/or request that you submit documents for verification.

If gaps are identified in the evidence you provide, then you may be asked to:

  • complete an assessment task which covers the competency gaps;
  • consider alternate forms of evidence; or
  • complete the coursework in the Diploma subject online.

The RPL Assessment can happen at any time during the year.  Preferably, it will occur before the subject commences. 

If the subject commences, then you will be expected to participate in the subject until the RPL Assessment is complete. Two situations are possible:

  1. If the RPL Assessment is successful, then you will obtain credit for the subject and withdraw from participating in it, and not complete the subject's assessment requirements.
    OR
  2. If the RPL Assessment is not successful, then you will continue to participate in the subject and complete the subject's assessment requirements.

Recognition of Other Qualifications

IES also recognises the AQF Qualifications and Statements of Attainments issued by other registered training organisations (RTO's).

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