Recognition of Prior Learning

Your experience, recognised. The proper way.

If you’ve spent years doing the work, RPL can turn that experience into a nationally recognised qualification. We help you understand exactly what’s involved — then connect you with a registered training organisation for a genuine assessment.

Check if RPL could work for you +61 2 4011 9566
An electrician working on a switchboard
Genuine RPL is assessed by a registered RTO using real evidence — and it shows on your USI transcript.

Who it’s for

People with real, substantial experience in a trade or industry who don’t yet hold the formal qualification.

What you get

The same nationally recognised qualification as someone who studied — issued by a registered RTO.

What it isn’t

A shortcut. You’ll provide evidence and be assessed. If there are gaps, gap training closes them.

Case study · Updated October 2026

The fake-certificate crackdown, and why genuine RPL matters.

What happened

Some training providers sold qualifications with little or no real assessment — often marketed as quick, no-study RPL. Australia’s regulator, ASQA, investigated, deregistered providers and cancelled the qualifications they issued.

What it meant for people

A cancelled qualification is void. People who had paid for those certificates found they no longer counted — affecting jobs, licences and visa pathways that relied on them.

The lesson

RPL itself is legitimate. What protects you is a genuine assessment by a registered provider, based on real evidence — the kind of qualification that stands up to scrutiny years later.

  • 29,000+

    qualifications cancelled by ASQA after 15 training providers were found to have issued them without proper training or assessment — many through sham RPL.

    Source: ASQA
  • 7,360

    students at a single college were found to have received qualifications without appropriate training or assessment.

    Source: ABC News, Feb 2025
  • 2025–26

    RPL is one of ASQA’s named regulatory risk priorities — the regulator is actively reviewing how providers assess it.

    Source: ASQA risk priorities

Red flags ASQA warns about

  • “No classes to attend”
  • “No study or exams required”
  • “Receive your qualification in 7 days”
  • “100% guarantee of a successful qualification”
  • “Fast-tracked pathway to skilled migration”

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

How we do RPL instead

  • Registered RTOs only

    We only refer you to training organisations currently registered on training.gov.au with your qualification on their scope.

  • Evidence, not a resume

    A real assessment looks at payslips, references, photos of your work and a practical or competency conversation with a qualified assessor.

  • Honest about fit

    If RPL isn’t right for you, we say so — and suggest a better path, like gap training or a full course.

  • Verifiable result

    A genuine qualification is issued by the RTO and appears on your USI transcript. We never sell, issue or guarantee one.

The process

Four steps. Every one of them real.

  1. 01

    Free, honest chat

    We talk through your trade, your experience and your goal — and whether RPL is the right path.

  2. 02

    Evidence plan

    We explain the evidence an RTO needs and help you organise it: references, payslips, photos of work, tickets.

  3. 03

    Assessment by a registered RTO

    A qualified assessor at a registered RTO reviews your evidence and assesses you — often with a practical or interview.

  4. 04

    Qualification — or a plan

    If you meet the standard, the RTO issues your qualification. If there are gaps, you’ll get a clear path to close them.

More detail: the full RPL process · how long RPL takes · RPL costs

Browse qualifications

Over 100 nationally recognised qualifications, across construction, care, business, transport and more. Find yours for a plain-English guide to the work it reflects, how the qualification changes over time, the evidence RTOs accept and where to check licensing.

101 qualifications

Construction & trades 25

RPL enquiry

Find out if RPL fits — honestly.

Tell us about your trade and experience. We’ll come back within one business day with what’s involved, the evidence you’d need and whether RPL is the right path — or a better one.

Prefer to talk? +61 2 4011 9566

Check if RPL could work for you

Tell us about your trade and experience. We’ll be honest about what evidence you’ll need — and whether RPL is the right path.

What evidence could you provide? Tick any that apply

Genuine RPL is assessed on evidence like this, plus a practical assessment by a registered training organisation.

RS Education is not a registered training organisation and does not provide immigration assistance. Qualifications are issued only by RTOs; we never sell or guarantee qualifications.

RPL questions, answered.

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

RPL is a formal assessment of your existing skills, knowledge and experience against the units of a nationally recognised qualification. If you can show — with evidence and assessment — that you already meet the standard, you can be awarded the qualification without repeating training you’ve effectively already done at work.

How do I know an RPL provider is legitimate?

Check the provider on training.gov.au and confirm the qualification is on its scope of registration. A genuine RTO will ask for real evidence and assess you — usually including a competency conversation or practical assessment. Be wary of claims like “no study or exams”, “qualification in 7 days” or “100% guaranteed” — ASQA lists these as red flags.

Does RS Education issue qualifications?

No. RS Education is not a registered training organisation. We help you understand what’s involved and prepare, then connect you with an RTO registered on training.gov.au. Only the RTO can assess you and issue a qualification.

What evidence do I need for RPL?

Typically: references from employers or supervisors, payslips or employment letters, photos or videos of your work, licences and tickets, and a work history. The RTO will also assess you directly — for example through a practical demonstration or an interview with a qualified assessor. Exact requirements depend on the qualification.

How long does RPL take?

It depends on how quickly you can gather evidence, the RTO’s assessment schedule and whether gap training is needed. A genuine assessment takes weeks, not days. We’ll give you a realistic timeline once we understand your situation.

How much does RPL cost in Australia?

Costs vary by qualification and RTO, and depend on the assessment involved and whether gap training is needed. The RTO sets the fee — we’ll help you understand it up front, before you commit.

Is an RPL qualification the same as a normal qualification?

Yes — when it is issued by a registered RTO after genuine assessment, it is the same nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework. A qualification issued without proper assessment can be cancelled by ASQA.

Can RPL help with a builder’s or trade licence?

A qualification is often one part of licensing, but each state’s regulator (for example NSW Fair Trading, QBCC or the VBA) sets its own requirements, usually including experience. Always check with your state regulator.

Important: RS Education (RecogniSKILL Pty Ltd, ABN 66 666 375 819) is not a registered training organisation. We do not conduct assessments, issue qualifications or guarantee outcomes. All RPL assessments are conducted and all qualifications issued by independent RTOs registered on training.gov.au. Costs, timeframes and requirements vary by RTO, qualification and individual circumstances.