How to prepare for your RPL assessment

For your skills to be formally recognised as part of a national qualification, Assessors must make sure that you (the candidate) have the required skills and knowledge to meet the industry standard as specified in the relevant Training Package.

You must be involved in the RPL process so that all the experience, skills, and knowledge you have gained over time can be correctly identified and suitably demonstrated. This evidence is gathered and used in recognition of all or some of the units for the qualification you wish to gain.

All assessment requirements will be discussed with you in advance, and you will be given the opportunity to ask questions and clarify requirements. Being prepared for the assessment process and knowing what you need to provide can save you valuable time and ensure that the RPL assessment is as simple and stress-free as possible. 

An RPL is an assessment process and is completed by the student. The assessor will clarify any information that is required. Like an assessment process, evidence provided much be your own work. 

Here are some tips to make the application process and interview easier for you.

1. Gather evidence appropriate to your work roles, experiences, skills that relates to the units of competency that you are applying for RPL. You can attach a copy of your resume, but it is only used as secondary evidence
2. If you have certificates from any training courses you have completed, bring along either certified copies or USI transcript 
3. All documents must be entered into the below table and a short explanation on how it is relevant to the topic. If a document or task is part of a group, please ensure you explain what part of the project you have completed. 

The following is a list of some of the documents you can provide as examples of your work history:

• brief CV (secondary evidence only)
• certificates/results of assessment 
• any licences
• membership of relevant professional associations
• references/letters from previous employers/supervisors
• industry awards
• any other documentation that may demonstrate your trade or industry experience or support your claim. This could also include samples of projects. (All personal details must be removed or blocked out)

Depending on where you have worked and what the work may have included, you may or may not have documentary evidence. Do not be put off if you do not have documentary evidence.

4. Think about who you would consider to be your workplace contact or referee. This will be requested if the Assessor needs to confirm items on current work roles or projects. 

Would you feel comfortable if the Assessor contacted your current workplace or previous workplace/s to validate your skills and spoke to your supervisor/s or employer/s?

5. You can speak with your Assessor about other ways you can show your skills for the trade or industry in which you are seeking recognition.

These could include letters from employers, records of any training courses or professional development sessions attended, employers or clients in related industries or government agencies, acknowledgements, workplace forms (as long as there are not confidentially issues – see below) or any other relevant documents.