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Definitions and Acronyms

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The following terms relate to Recognition of Prior Learning policies and processes of Prior Learning policies and processes.

Definitions

Articulation Abacus – The College’s system for recording and publishing approved pathways and credit precedents between both internal and external qualifications

AQF – Australian Qualifications Framework: The national system of regulated qualifications in Australian education and training, encompassing all post-compulsory education.

Course – A structured program of learning built around a range of specific learning outcomes or units of competency, usually delivered in or by an educational training institution through an approved curriculum.

Credit – Recognised prior learning applied to a student’s academic record which reduces the further learning needed to complete a qualification

Evidence – Documentation that supports the applicant’s knowledge or skills. Evidence may be Direct (created by the applicant), Indirect (created by someone else about the applicant), Personal Statements (explaining the relevance of other evidence provided), or Supplementary (supporting other evidence provided).

Formal Learning – Includes learning achieved as part of a recognised AQF level course or qualification (or its equivalent in the case of international study).

HE – Higher Education: the term ‘Higher Education’ refers to a qualification accredited by TEQSA. At the College, this typically includes education at AQF level 5 or above (usually level 7, Bachelor degree level or above, however, some Diplomas and Associate Degrees are offered at higher education level also).

Informal Learning – includes learning achieved as part of a non-AQF course or qualification.

Non-formal Learning – includes professional or paraprofessional experience which is not part of a course or qualification.

Prior learning – Any learning which has occurred prior to admission into a course or prior to enrolment into a subject at the College

RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that involves the assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning (including Formal, Informal, and Non-formal Learning) to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.

RTO – Registered Training Organisation: A registered provider and assessor of nationally recognised training under the Vocational Education and Training scheme.

Subject – A single component of a course, for which a grade is assigned on a student’s academic record/transcript. A combination of certain subjects totalling the required number of credit points makes up a course.

Unit of Competency – The specification of industry knowledge and skill and the application of that knowledge and skill to the standard of performance expected in the workplace. A unit of competency is the smallest unit in the VET sector that can be assessed and recognised.

VET – Vocational Education and Training - Formal, post-compulsory education accredited by ASQA and designed to develop knowledge, skills, and attributes of a vocational nature. Training is provided by registered training organisations (RTO).

Working day – A weekday (Monday to Friday) on which the College is open for business. This does not include national public holidays or College shutdown periods (e.g.: Christmas holidays) as noted on the Student Calendar.

Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning

Before you can apply for RPL towards your chosen qualification, please get in touch with our Admissions Team who can check your eligibility to study and provide further guidance.

Call 1300 462 887 or submit a course enquiry.

Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form