Get recognition for your skills, experience and past study

You may be able to shorten the length of your training course if you have:

completed a relevant course or qualification, or
completed relevant units of competency from another course or qualification, or
gained relevant skills and experience from working or volunteering, or
done informal learning related to the course.

If you answered yes to one or more of these, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or a credit transfer.

If you have done a qualification or gained trade skills overseas, you can apply to have these recognised.

Read more about each option below, and how to apply.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

What is RPL?

RPL is when your previous experience is formally recognised. It takes into account your:

work related training and skills
informal training
work experience
volunteer and community work.

RPL may reduce the number of units you’ll need to do to complete a course. It may also help you get into a higher level training course or a university course.

Contact your training provider to apply for RPL.
Ask what evidence you’ll need to provide. For example, this could include:
- a report or letter detailing your skills or experience
- a portfolio of samples of your work
- evidence of assessment activities, such as work observations or interviews.
There is usually a fee to apply for RPL. Check with your training provider.

Credit transfer

What is credit transfer?

A credit transfer is when your previous study or training is counted towards another qualification. For example, you may have:

completed a relevant course or qualification, or
completed relevant units of competency from another course or qualification, or
done informal learning related to the new qualification.

Your training provider will assess how relevant your previous study is to the new course.

Credit transfer may reduce the number of units you’ll need to do to complete a course. It may also help you get into a higher level training course or a university course.

International qualifications

If you have done a qualification outside Australia, you can apply to have it nationally recognised. Contact the Victorian Government Overseas Qualifications Unit(opens in a new window) for information on assessment. Note that you’ll need to be a permanent resident of Victoria.

International trade skills

If you have gained trade skills overseas, you can apply to have these recognised. Visit Australian Government Trades Recognition Australia(opens in a new window) for information on assessment and eligibility.

Career success story

From mechanics to clean energy: how Andrew transferred his skills across careers

“My mechanical and electrical background was perfect for clean energy. As technicians, we’re constantly reskilling and learning to keep up, which means opportunities keep coming to try new things.”