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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 2012 the following tuition fees will apply:

Level name

Program level

Fee per Contact Hour

RPL fees

Concession fee per year 1

RPL fees

Maximum RPL fee per year2

(Pre-2012)

RPL fees

Maximum RPL fee per year3

(2012 +)

Foundation Skills

Foundation level and pre-accredited programs

$1.08

$50

$500

$500

Skills Creation

Certificate I

Certificate II

(includes VCE C2084 & C2085)

$1.62

$105

$875

$875

Apprenticeships

Various

$2.17

$188

$923

$923

Traineeships

Various

$2.17

$188

$1,250

$1,250

Skills Building

Certificate III

Certificate IV

$2.17

$188

$1,250

$1,250

Skills Deepening

Diploma

Advanced Diploma

$4.33

$100**

$2,500

$2,500
  1. Fees will be calculated for the student’s enrolled load, up to the concession fee amount for the calendar year.
  2. The maximum fee for the calendar year for students who commenced their program on or after 1 July 2009 and before 1 January 2012.
  3. The maximum fee for the calendar year for students who commenced their program on or after 1 January 2012.

**Eligible students under the age of 25 at 1 January 2012 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 2012, no concession is available at the Skills Deepening level, however indigenous students will only be charged the concession fee of $100.

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

Level name

Program level

Fee per Contact 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.

Calculating the TAFE student contribution for an RPL program or course

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

Maximum fee: your RPL fees will be charged up to the maximum RPL fee 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 2012 applies for RPL in one course. The 2012 RPL fee per contact hour for RPL in Skills Deepening qualifications is $4.33. The course has 60 contact hours, therefore the RPL fee will be 60 x $4.33 = $260

Example 2: RPL fee for multiple courses in a qualification

A student enrolled in a Skills Deepening program in 2012 applies for RPL in three courses: A, B, and C.

Course A has 60 contact hours; course B has 50 contact hours and course C has 80 contact hours, a total of 190 contact hours. Therefore the RPL fee will be 190x$4.33, a total RPL fee of $823

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

A student enrolled in a Skills Deepening program in 2012 with a total of 850 contact hours and applies for RPL in all courses in the qualification.

Overall annual maximum RPL fee

As well as the maximum amounts at each qualification level there is also an overall annual maximum fee. At RMIT the overall annual maximum fee you will be charged in 2012 is $2,500, regardless of how many TAFE programs you enrol in and at what qualification level.

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.

More information