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TAFE Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In the TAFE sector it is possible for students to gain formal recognition of their current skills or to receive further training to update or improve their qualifications. RMIT offers two services under this scheme:

  1. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences.
  1. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.

RPL and RCC do not include any additional training required to achieve a competency. If you require additional tuition before you can achieve recognition for your chosen program, you may enroll in a state government subsidised program or enrol in a fee for service program.

TAFE RPL Fees for Government subsidised places

RPL is available as a study mode in all RMIT TAFE courses. Students can apply for RPL for all of the courses in their program of study, from a minimum of one course to a maximum of all courses in the program. TAFE RPL fees depend on the program level of qualification which have been categorised as follows: Foundation Skills, Skills Creation, Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Skills Building and Skills Deepening.

For RPL undertaken in 2011 the following tuition fees will apply:

Level name

Program level

Fee per Nominal Hour

RPL fee

Minimum fee (concession rate)

Maximum RPL fee

(12 months)

Apprenticeships

Various

$1.40

$58

$923

Traineeships

Various

$1.84

$188

$1,250

Foundation Skills

Foundation level and pre-accredited programs

$1.08

$50

$500

Skills Creation

Certificate I

Certificate II

$1.51

$105

$875

Skills Building

Certificate III

Certificate IV

$1.84

$188

$1,250

Skills Deepening

Diploma

Advanced Diploma

$3.79

$100* / $375

$2,000

*In 2011, eligible students under the age of 25 at 1 January 2011 will be charged a concession fee of $100 for enrolments at the Skills Deepening level. For students aged 25 years and over at 1 January 2011, no concession is available at the Skills Deepening level, however indigenous students will only be charged the minimum fee of $375.

For RPL undertaken in 2010 the following tuition fees will apply:

Level name

Program level

Fee per Nominal Hour

RPL fee

Minimum fee (concession rate)

Maximum RPL fee

(12 months)

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Various

$1.37

$57

$903

Foundation Skills

Foundation level and pre-accredited programs

$1.08

$50

$500

Skills Creation

Certificate I

Certificate II

$1.40

$105

$875

Skills Building

Certificate III

Certificate IV

$1.62

$120

$1,000

Skills Deepening

Diploma

Advanced Diploma

$3.25

$225*

$2,000

*Concession fees are no longer available at the Skills Deepening level, however indigenous students will only be charged the minimum fee of $225.

Calculating the TAFE student contribution for an RPL program or course

TAFE fees for government subsidised places are calculated based on the nominal hours of your enrolment. To calculate your tuition fees, multiply the total nominal hours for your course or program by the fees per nominal hour for the appropriate qualification level listed in the table above.

Maximum fee: your RPL fees will "cap" at the maximum rate of the qualification level of the program enrolment.

Example 1: RPL fee for one course/unit of competency

A student enrolled in a Skills Deepening program in 2011 applies for RPL in one course. The 2011 RPL fee per nominal hour for RPL in Skills Deepening qualifications is $3.79. The course has 60 nominal hours, therefore the RPL fee will be 60 x $3.79 = $227

Example 2: RPL fee for multiple courses in a qualification

A student enrolled in a Skills Deepening program in 2011 applies for RPL in three courses: A, B, and C.

Course A has 60 nominal hours; course B has 50 nominal hours and course C has 80 nominal hours a total of 190 nominal hours. Therefore the RPL fee will be 190x$3.79, a total RPL fee of $720

Example 3: RPL fee for all courses in a qualification.

A student enrolled in a Skills Deepening program in 2011 with a total of 850 nominal hours and applies for RPL in all courses in the qualification.

Overall annual maximum RPL fee

In line with the provision for fee capping, the overall annual maximum RPL fee of $2,000 applies for RPL in this case.

RPL for TAFE full fee paying students

For non-government subsidised full fee paying students accessing VET FEE-HELP, RPL Fees are equivalent to the standard tuition fees for the course/s for which RPL is sought and can be calculated using the information on RMIT's 2011 TAFE fees website.

Skills Stores

Skills Stores are a Victorian Government initiative which commenced operation in June 2007 and will remain in operation under Skills Victoria's Securing Jobs for Your Future: Skills for Victoria reforms. Skill Stores are located across five metropolitan and regional locations in Victoria. They provide advice to individuals seeking to gain formal recognition of their current skills or to receive further training to update or improve their qualifications. Skill Stores provide an initial skills profile and refer students to appropriate educational institutions for recognition of current skills and for further training. This referral service is free of charge to the student.

RMIT offers two services under this scheme:

  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment for students seeking to have their current skills tested and formally recognised.
  • Tuition for applicants who wish to upgrade their skills via a TAFE program. Some students may require additional tuition before they can achieve recognition for their chosen program. Depending on availability, these programs may be offered as state government subsidised programs (as per 3.6.2 of this schedule) or as fee for service programs. All tuition fees will be invoiced to the student.

As part of the referral process students are entitled to $250 towards their assessment and/or tuition which will be charged to the Skills Store responsible for the student's referral. This charge will appear as a Third Party Contract listed against the individual student's account.

More information