RPL and Credit Transfer

Last reviewed: July 2026

CAQA RTO, part of CAQA Groups and a Career Calling International initiative, is committed to making sure no student repeats learning they have already achieved. This page explains how recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfer work for the nationally recognised qualifications and skill sets offered on this website, who can apply, what evidence is needed, how decisions are made and what they mean for your course duration and fees.

Who this applies to

RPL and credit transfer are available to every prospective and enrolled CAQA RTO student across Australia. They are most valuable for experienced workers, supervisors, volunteers and career changers who have built real skills on the job, and for students who have already completed units of competency with another Australian RTO.

Recognition of prior learning

RPL assesses the skills and knowledge you have gained through work, volunteering, life experience and informal training against the requirements of your course units. A successful RPL outcome means you do not repeat training you have already mastered, reducing your course duration and, where whole units are recognised, your fees. RPL is offered for every course on our scope, and you can ask for an RPL kit before or after enrolment.

Evidence for RPL

Evidence may include work samples, references, position descriptions, portfolios, certificates from non-accredited training and a competency conversation with a qualified assessor. Your assessor will guide you on what to gather so you neither under-evidence nor over-evidence your application. The RPL application form and RPL and credit policy are available as PDFs.

Credit transfer

If you have already achieved identical or equivalent units with any Australian RTO, we must and will credit them, free of charge. Provide your USI transcript, record of results or statement of attainment and we will verify the documents and apply the credits before your Training Plan is finalised. Use the credit transfer form to apply. Credit transfer is an administrative check of existing achievement; it involves no re-assessment of your skills.

The process and timeframes

Apply through the contact page, by email or by phone, ideally before your Training Plan is finalised so recognised units are excluded from scheduled training from the start. RPL assessments are conducted by qualified assessors against the same competency standards as classroom or online delivery. We will confirm the outcome in writing, and where RPL is not granted for a unit, we will explain why and what training remains.

Fees and refunds

Credit transfer is always free of charge. Where whole units are removed from your course through RPL or credit transfer before fees for those units are incurred, your tuition fee is adjusted accordingly under our Fees and Refunds policy. No payments for RPL or credit transfer are taken through this website; any applicable fees are set out in your Enrolment Agreement before you commit.

Information we collect

An RPL or credit transfer application requires your identity and contact details, your USI and transcript or statements of attainment, and the evidence you submit about your skills and experience. This information is used only to verify achievement, assess competency and maintain the records the law requires, and is handled under our Privacy Policy.

If you disagree with an outcome

RPL and credit transfer decisions, like all assessment decisions, can be appealed at no cost through our Complaints and Appeals process. Appeals are reviewed by a person independent of the original decision, and successful assessment appeals lead to re-assessment by a different assessor at no charge.

Limits of this information

This page is general information about our RPL and credit transfer arrangements. It is not an assurance that any particular application will succeed: RPL outcomes depend on the evidence you can provide against the unit requirements, and assessment decisions rest with our qualified assessors. Your Enrolment Agreement and Training Plan record the units, credits and fees that actually apply to you.

Contact us

You can reach our student support and enrolment team by telephone on 1800 266 160, by email at info@caqa.com.au, or through our contact page. We respond to most enquiries within one business day.