National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
This document is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced or copied either in part or
in whole; nor used for financial gain without the express approval in writing by the owner, St
John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd.
St John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd
209 Great Eastern Highway
BELMONT WA 6104
Telephone: (08) 9334 1222
Web: www.stjohnambulance.com.au
St John operates as a Registered Training Organisation under the name of
The College of Pre-Hospital Care
No. 0392
Web: http://training.gov.au
Modification History
Superseded Version
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Changes
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Version 1
July 2015
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Info Guide For Applicants Version 1.doc
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
WELCOME ............................................................................................................................... 4
1. ABOUT ST JOHN REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION .............................................. 5
2. NATIONAL (MUTUAL) RECOGNITION ................................................................................... 6
2.1 Credit Transfer ................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Credit .............................................................................................................................. 8
2.3 How to Apply for Credit Transfer and Credit? ................................................................... 9
3. RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) ....................................................................... 10
3.1 RPL – Preparation and Application ................................................................................. 11
3.2 RPL – Assessment ........................................................................................................ 15
3.3 Navigate www.training.gov.au........................................................................................ 17
3.4 RPL Evidence and Mapping ........................................................................................... 19
3.5 Mapping of Your RPL Evidence ..................................................................................... 21
4. AFTER RPL ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 24
4.1 Appeal of the RPL Decision ........................................................................................... 24
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Thank you for taking the first step towards formal recognition of your existing skills and
knowledge.
This Information Guide has been developed to assist you in seeking recognition of your prior
learning, skills, experience and knowledge.
It will guide you through the process of: applying, collecting evidence and undertaking challenge
testing as part of a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process in order to minimise
time, effort and expense when undertaking a course with St John.
We are confident that St John will provide an exciting learning experience for you and look
forward to assisting you in learning and developing new skills and knowledge to achieve your
training outcomes.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
St John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd (St John) operates as a Registered Training
Organisation (RTO) under the name of the College of Pre-Hospital Care (CPHC) No.0392.
St John RTO is registered with the West Australian Vocational Education and Training regulator
– Training Accreditation Council (TAC) to operate in Western Australia.
St John RTO adheres to:
1. Standards for Registered Training Organisation (RTOs) 2015
Link: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L01377
2. Vocational Education And Training Act 1996
Link:http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/pco/prod/FileStore.nsf/Documents/MRDocument:20660
P/$FILE/Vocational%20Education%20And%20Training%20Act%201996%20-%20[02g0-02].pdf?OpenElement
3. Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009
Link: http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg/veatr2009470/
4. Department of Education and Training Guidelines and Requirements
Link: https://www.education.gov.au/
5. Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Link: http://www.aqf.edu.au/
6. Training Package Requirements
Link: http://training.gov.au/Home/Tga
7. Training Accreditation Council (TAC) Guidelines and Regulatory Requirements
Link: http://www.tac.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Full details of St John RTO’s Scope of Registration can be accessed on:
http://training.gov.au/Organisation/Details/0392.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
National (mutual) recognition refers to the ability of all Australian Registered
Training Organisations (RTOs) to recognise and accept each other’s
Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) certifications. This means that
any nationally recognised training you have done will be recognised by all
RTOs in Australia.
National recognition comes in two forms:
1. Credit Transfer; and
2. Credit.
This means that you can produce a statement of attainment or a qualification with the same
national competency codes and titles as those that form part of the course or a qualification
within which you have enrolled or you are intending to enrol with St John.
Provide your certification…
…when enrolling into a
St John Course
…to reduce the study time of
your new course!
St John recognises your previous achievements such as qualifications and statements of
attainment which have been awarded to you by other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
Please note - St John can only accept certification for the units of competency or qualification
that form St John’s scope of registration.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Credit Transfer is a simple transfer of units of competency listed on your certification which are
equal by code, title and education outcomes to the units of competency that form a part of the
St John qualification that you have just enrolled into.
Let’s say you have decided to enrol into a St John qualification course and some of the units of
competency listed on the St John website are identical units that you have already obtained
certification for while studying with either St John previously (a different course) or with another
RTO.
EASY as….
For example
You have successfully obtained
certificate with
another RTO last year.
Now you would like to enrol into
with St John.
You have just realised that some of the units that form part of
HLT41012 Certificate IV in Health Care (Ambulance), have already
been obtained when you completed your HLT21112 Certificate II
in Emergency Medical Service First Response:
With Credit Transfer you will not need to
undergo training and assessment for this unit of competency. St
John will simply transfer this unit of competency toward your
HLT41012 Certificate IV in Health Care (Ambulance) saving you
time towards completion of your new qualification.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Credit is similar to Credit Transfer but it relates to the units of competency listed on your
certification which are not identical in code and title but in education outcomes to the units of
competency that form a part of the St John qualification that you have just enrolled into.
Let’s say you have decided to enrol into a St John qualification course and some of the units of
competency listed on St John website are very similar to the units you have already obtained
certification for while studying with either St John previously (a different course) or with another
RTO.
EASY as….
For example
You have successfully obtained
with another RTO
a couple of years ago.
Now you would like to enrol into
with St John.
You have realised that some of the units that form part of
HLT41012 Certificate IV in Health Care (Ambulance) with St John
has already been obtained when you studied HLT21112
Certificate II in Emergency Medical Service First Response. They
have the same title but slightly different unit codes.
While St John has: HLTHIR301 Communicate and work
effectively in health as part of its HLT41012 Certificate IV in Health
Care (Ambulance).
On comparison – these units have equal educational outcomes
as per: http://training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLTHIR301C
With Credit you will not need to undergo
training and assessment for this unit of competency. St John will
simply give you credit of this unit of competency toward your
HLT41012 Certificate IV in Health Care (Ambulance) saving you
time to complete your new qualification.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Both Credit Transfer and Credit are not assessments but are very simple processes of
transferring your academic records toward your new qualification.
While it is a very simple process, you are required to:
1. Apply by contacting our office for an application form (contact details are on our website);
and
2. Provide supporting evidence.
You must present your evidence relating to certificates and/or statements of attainment as either
original documents or certified copies. The original documents need to be sighted prior to
attending the course. Original certificates can be sighted and copied at Belmont head office or
St John Regional Offices during our business hours of 8.30 -16.30. Original documents will be
returned to the applicant.
Certified copies need to be appropriately signed by either a Justice of the Peace, or
Commissioner of Declarations; however St John will still need to sight the original
documentation.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Unlike Credit Transfer and Credit, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment
process. It is a method of recognising that you have gained the skills, experience, and
knowledge through your work, education, or social interactions which are relevant to your
chosen course or qualification.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) competency based training is based on the concept
that people can learn transferable skills and most training is transferable. This means that you
may be able to demonstrate your competency without undertaking training. For you to be
assessed as competent, you need to demonstrate the ability to perform tasks and duties to the
standard expected in the workplace. RPL allows you to forego training and move directly to
having your competencies assessed, thus avoiding the need for unnecessary training and the
costs associated with it.
“Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that assesses the
competency/s of an individual that may have been acquired through formal, non-formal and
informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual meets the requirements
specified in the training package or VET accredited courses.
a) formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of
instruction and is linked to the attainment of an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF)
qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma or university
degree);
b) non-formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of
instruction, but does not lead to the attainment of an Australian Qualification Framework
AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, in-house professional
development programs conducted by a business); and
c) informal learning refers to learning that results through experience of work-related, social,
family, hobby or leisure activities (for example the acquisition of interpersonal skills
developed through several years as a sales representative)”.
Definition by the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Firstly you will need to read through this document and
familiarise yourself with the RPL process. The better you
understand the RPL process the easier the whole experience
becomes.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our contact details are on our website.
The sooner you start your application, collection and sorting of
your RPL evidence the sooner you will finish it. Upon contact
with St John Office (contact details are on our website) you will
need to request:
 RPL application form;
 RPL Kit for the units of competency you wish to apply
for; and
 Enquire about the RPL fee you will need to pay.
St John will email you the required documentation so you can
start your application straight away.
Now that you have some idea of what is required of you, you
will need to do a bit of a research.
Start by accessing the following website: www.training.gov.au.
This is the place where all accredited unit(s) of competency are
held, including those that you will be applying for.
Please refer to chapters 3.3 and 3.4 of this Guide for more
useful information on how to navigate the www.training.gov.au
website.
The units of competency will come in two different formats:
1. One document (older units of competency);
2. Two documents (new units of competency) which
include:
 Performance Criteria; and
 Assessment Requirements.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Read the units of competency document(s). They may appear
very complex documents at first glance, but once you start
reading you will realise that the content may be very familiar.
For each performance and knowledge statement ask yourself
the following questions:




Do I know what this is?
Can I do it?
What is the evidence of my knowledge?
What is the evidence that I can do it (my skills)?
Be careful, some requirements may appear very simple to you,
and you may even do it with your eyes closed, however if you
do not have evidence to “prove it” you will need to demonstrate
it in challenge testing to your Assessor.
Please note, to be deemed competent in a unit of competency
an applicant must meet the requirements outlined in the entire
unit of competency documents.
So, start researching your units of competency now.
It’s now time to collect your supporting evidence to
demonstrate that you have the required knowledge and skills
as outlined in the unit of competency that you are seeking
recognition for.
The term “evidence” applies to anything you produce to verify
your skills, knowledge and experience.
Evidence can take many forms including:
 Resume, job description and performance appraisals
documentation;
 Membership of relevant professional associations;
 Samples, photographs or videos of your performance or
work tasks;
 Certified certificates and qualifications from previous
study that may be relevant;
 Letters of validation from employer;
 A portfolio of workplace documents; and
 Video of your demonstration e.g. in the workplace.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Your St John RTO Assessor will be looking at the quality of
evidence submitted.
Remember the Assessor must be confident you have the
required skills and knowledge based on the evidence in front of
them.
Please refer to the 3.4 chapter of this Guide – RPL Evidence
and Mapping for more information about this topic.
Sorting your evidence is the most important part of your RPL
application. As you are likely to produce more than one piece
of evidence to support your RPL claim (remember you are
claiming that you have the skills and knowledge and providing
evidence to support this claim) you will need to present your
RPL portfolio of evidence.
Be methodical: use a folder to store paper-based evidence
under the unit of competency heading.
Assemble RPL evidence to support your application as your
evidence must be very detailed as well as: relevant, authentic,
current and sufficient.
Matching your evidence to the unit of competency is a very
detailed and hands on process. You will need to match each
piece of your evidence against each point outlined in the unit of
competency. Please note - one piece of evidence may be
referenced against multiple requirements. This can be achieved
by utilising RPL Kit.
If at the end of this exercise you have some components of the
units of competency without matched evidence, you will be
required to look for additional evidence or discuss it with your
Assessor when you meet with them.
Keep an index of your evidence. Remember – it is you who are
initiating this process so make sure that your evidence speaks
“volumes”.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
At this point, you have a very good idea of whether or not to go
ahead with your RPL application. If you do, you will need to
contact our office and arrange submission of your:
 RPL application form;
 RPL Kit for the units of competency you wish to apply
and supporting evidence; and
 Pay the fee.
Challenge testing is a form of assessment activity which is used
to confirm your competency and evidence towards RPL.
St John Assessors must ensure that you have the required
skills and knowledge to meet the industry standards as
specified in the relevant unit of competency for which you have
requested RPL.
A little bit of advice before you commence challenge testing:
 Relax before the assessment; and
 If you have any questions please contact St John.
Challenge testing is explained in more detail in step 3.2 step 5.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
St John will arrange a suitable time with you for an interview
and challenge testing.
You will need to bring photographic id with you (e.g. Drivers
Licence).
If you have any additional evidence of your competency,
please bring it with you to discuss with your Assessor.
USI
You will need to register for the Unique Student Identifier
(USI). For more information about the USI system please
access either the St John or the USI websites:
http://www.usi.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Be on time. Allocate a couple hours for your meeting and
challenge testing. If more time is required, you will be
informed in advance.
By now, your Assessor will have reviewed the evidence you
have submitted, measured it against the unit(s) of
competency and validated it against the rules of the
assessment evidence (validity, sufficiency, authenticity and
currency).
Your Assessor will inform you about the process of
recognition, context, principles of assessment and rules of
assessment evidence.
Before you undergo any challenge testing, your Assessor
will explain what will be expected of you and what you will
be required to do.
Once you both agree on the course of RPL action, you will
be signing an Assessment plan confirming your agreeance.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Challenge testing will be in form of:


Verbal questioning; and
Demonstration of your skills.
During the meeting, the Assessor will ask verbal questions
to further explore the extent of your knowledge, seek
clarification about your evidence items and to ensure that
the dimensions of competency are demonstrated, valid,
sufficient, current and authentic.
You may be required to demonstrate a range of skills to
demonstrate your currency. Your demonstration will be in a
workplace context as outlined in the unit of competency.
Once all evidence is collected in the RPL kit and measured,
the Assessor will make a decision about your competence
and this will be communicated to you at the end of the
challenge testing.
If you meet all the requirements, your Assessor will arrange
certification for you and inform you of the next step of your
reduced participation in the course or any other option
suited to your individual needs.
If you are unsuccessful, the Assessor will explain the next
step for you. It may include “gap” training and other training
options available to you.
The assessor will give you feedback on your performance,
knowledge, and evidence portfolios.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to give feedback to
your Assessor.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Log on to www.training.gov.au
Select National Register of VET section of
the website by click on “continue to
training.gov.au writing” on the bottom of
the picture.
Select “Quick search” option.
In Quick search – Nationaly recognised
training type in:



Unit code; or
Unit title; or
Unit code and title.
And press “Search” button
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
A unit of competency will come up.
Scroll down to access the unit of
competency documents:

PDF or word.
NOTE: new units of competency formats
have two documents:


Performance criteria; and
Assessment requirements
Open (download) either PDF or word
document.
EXAMPLE ONLY
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
The term RPL “evidence” applies to anything you produce to verify your skills,
knowledge and experience.
Evidence can take many forms, examples of which are shown below:

Resume`, employer
statements and letters of
validation, job
descriptions.

Evidence of work
documentation,
completed tasks.

Samples, photographs or
videos of your
performance, equipment
you use or work tasks.

Video recording of your
perfomance.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Your RPL evidence MUST be:
1.
– How old is your evidence? Is it recent or very old? You need to be current in
your skills and knowledge.
2.
– Does the evidence relate to the Unit of Competency you are applying
RPL for?
3.
– Can you prove that you actually have these skills and knowledge? Can you
obtain verification of these skills?
4.
– Do you have enough evidence to demonstrate your competence?
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
RPL KIT.
Unit of Competency.
Evidence:
Samples, photographs or
videos of your
performance, equipment
you use or work tasks.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Self-assessment.
List (number) your
evidence.
Complete the
though out the document
(shaded areas).
Referencing your
evidence.
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Continue completing the
RPL Kit until fully
completed.
Sign and date document.
1. Clearly number your evidence, placing a number in the top right corner of the RPL SelfAssessment document (starting with evidence document no. 1).
2. Record the document number in the boxes of
document (where
you think your evidence fits).
3. Attach the evidence behind this checklist maintaining the order (starting with evidence
document no. 1).
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
Following the RPL assessment, the Assessor will advise you if you were successful in gaining full
RPL.
Your skills and knowledge will be marked as either Requirement Met or Requirement Not Met.
Overall you will be deemed as
assessment.
or
upon your RPL
Your assessor will advise you of the RPL assessment result:
1. If you were deemed COMPETENT you would gain full credit which would then be
transferred to your new course/qualification.
2. If you were deemed NOT YET COMPETENT your assessor will identify the gaps you will
need to overcome by participating in training. You may also receive partial credit for the
performance criteria/elements you were deemed Requirement Not Met. You do not
need to undergo training for the parts of the unit/s you received credit for.
If you have any questions before, during or after RPL process, please contact your assessor.
Please access our Appeals Policy on the St John RTO website for current information:
http://www.stjohnambulance.com.au
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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National Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Information Guide - for Applicants
St John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd.
PO Box 183 Belmont Western Australia 6984
Tel 08 9334 1222
info@stjohnambulance.com.au
stjohnambulance.com.au
St John Ambulance Western Australia
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