FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS

What is RPL?

RPL is the acknowledgement of skills and knowledge obtained through learning achieved outside the formal education and training system.

RPL recognises any prior knowledge and experience and measures it against the qualification in which you are enrolled. You may not need to complete all of a training program if you already possess all or some of the competencies included in the qualification.

What are the benefits of RPL?

If you apply for RPL and are successful you could:

• Eliminate the need for training in skills and knowledge you already have
• Save time by not having to attend classes and completing unnecessary work
• Save money because you will not have to buy textbooks and learning resources
• Complete your qualification in a shorter time
• Advance more quickly to a higher level qualification if you wish

How can I work out whether I have the skills to apply for RPL?

Qualifications, or courses, consist of a combination of Units of Competence. You will receive a Self-assessment Checklist which will give a brief description of the skills and knowledge that you need to possess to be assessed as competent for each unit. If you feel that you already possess the stated skills for one or more units, then it could be appropriate request RPL for those units.

How do I go about requesting RPL?

You request RPL in a unit when you enroll in a qualification. Your enrolment form will then identify RPL for the selected units.

I have enrolled for RPL, what happens now?

When you enroll or request an RPL for a unit(s), an Interview will be arranged with your RPL Assessor. This interview might happen straight away, or it might be scheduled in the first few weeks following enrolment. Your RPL Assessor will discuss with you in detail what is required to be demonstrated for each unit and how your previous experience and informal training matches that criteria. The assessor will then develop an RPL plan which will suggest some types of evidence that could be produced to prove competence and will estimate some timeframes for you to gather that evidence.

What can count towards RPL?

We learn skills and gain experience all through our lives. Work experience gained on the job, or through the practice of skills in other realms of our life, like social or sporting groups, all contribute to our effectiveness. The RPL process allows you to provide evidence of those skills and gain formal recognition towards a nationally accredited qualification.

What is meant by Evidence?

In order to recognize your prior learning through informal sources, Swinburne need to have evidence that you are competent. Evidence can be in many forms, for example

• In-house training certificates
• Examples of work produced
• Workplace reference
• Statement of duties
• Work project
• Newspaper cuttings of achievements
• Minutes of meetings attended or conducted
• Documents showing organising/supervisor skills
• Awards, commendations, certificates of merit
• A demonstration

Your assessor will review all of your evidence presented and will match that evidence against the Performance Criteria stated in the Unit of Competency. The assessor may find it necessary to ask questions about the evidence or ask you to perform work activities or a test to provide evidence where there are gap between what you have provided and what is required.

How much RPL can I apply for?

It is possible to request RPL for an entire qualification or for one unit only. How much RPL you request will depend on whether you are able to provide evidence for all or some of the units in the qualification.

Security Licence Upgrades / RPL

As of the 1st Sept 2007, there have been significant changes to the Security Industry and the Regulations covering the Security Industry.
Every current Licence Guard wil be required to undertake Upgrade training to retain or take up new Licence categories.

Downloads

Click HERE to be taken to the SIR website for detailed information covering the requirements.

Click HERE to download information packs relating to what is required and costs involved