RPL is a formal assessment process recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). A qualified assessor at an ASQA-registered Registered Training Organisation (RTO) reviews evidence of the work and skills you’ve already demonstrated on the job, and maps it against the Units of Competency in the qualification. Where your evidence demonstrates the required skills, those units are recognised — you’re not “skipping” the qualification, you’re proving you already meet it.

A Formally Qualified consultant will discuss your background and confirm whether RPL is suitable for the qualification you’re after. Once you’re referred to a partner RTO, you’ll gather evidence to prove your competence. Typical evidence includes:

• Video or photographic evidence of the tasks you perform on the job;
• Answers to questions about your experience and skills;
• Practical tasks to demonstrate your knowledge and skills;
• A resume, workplace documents, references, and a job description as supporting evidence.

The evidence should confirm that you have worked in the industry, and that you can perform relevant tasks at the level required by the units of competency.

Anyone with relevant prior learning, work experience, or industry skills can apply. There’s no minimum “years on the tools” rule across the board — eligibility depends on whether your real-world experience covers the units of competency in the specific qualification.

No. We guide you through every step:

• Understanding the RPL process;
• Identifying what supporting documents are needed;
• Helping you complete forms and organise evidence;
• Pointing you to the right pathway if you’re applying for a builder or trade licence.

Contact the institution where you completed your studies — they should be able to issue a copy of your qualification or transcript. If that’s not possible, you can still demonstrate competence through other forms of evidence (work samples, references, video evidence, etc.). Your consultant will help you identify alternative evidence the partner RTO will accept.

Absolutely. Old qualifications are supporting documents, but they aren’t mandatory. You can demonstrate aptitude entirely through evidence of the work you’re doing now and have done in the past — photos, videos, references, workplace documents, third-party reports.

Overseas work experience or overseas qualifications may be used as supporting evidence for an RPL application, subject to the partner RTO’s evidence requirements. Evidence acceptance, enrolment suitability and assessment outcomes are determined by the partner RTO.Note: A standard commercial RPL process is not a migration skills assessment and does not establish formal qualification equivalency. Formal skills assessments for migration or visa purposes are managed by authorised assessing authorities, such as TRA, VETASSESS or AIM where applicable. FQ does not provide migration advice and does not determine visa, licensing or migration outcomes.

People on temporary visas may make an RPL enquiry; however, visa conditions can affect study, training and work rights. FQ does not provide migration or visa advice. Please check your visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration adviser before proceeding. The partner RTO will advise evidence and assessment requirements if you are referred.

Your qualification is issued by one of our ASQA-registered partner RTOs. Formally Qualified is not an RTO — we are the education support services provider that helps you prepare and submit your evidence portfolio. The partner RTO is responsible for the formal assessment and issuance of the nationally recognised AQF qualification.

There’s a free pre-assessment skills check before you commit. If you’re unlikely to be eligible for RPL, we’ll tell you up front. If, after submission, the partner RTO determines you are not yet competent against the required units, they will provide a written outcome explaining which units were not met and what additional evidence or gap training would address it. We’ll then help you work through realistic next steps.

Real, current evidence of the work you’re doing on the job. Typically:

• Photos, videos and records of work clearly showing each unit’s skills in practice;
• Workplace documents you produce (care plans, shift notes, site reports, job sheets, plans);
• Two professional references from supervisors or senior colleagues who can verify your skills;
• Previous training records, short course certificates, white cards, tickets, licences;
• Resume or work history showing length of time working in the field;
• Any third-party reports the partner RTO requests to verify specific units.

Yes. Every qualification offered through Formally Qualified is a nationally recognised qualification on the AQF, issued by an ASQA-registered partner RTO and listed on training.gov.au. It carries the same recognition as one issued through classroom-based training.

Your Formally Qualified consultant is available to talk through the process, advise on gathering supporting documents, and liaise with the partner RTO on your behalf. Reach out any time.