Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

• Are you a foster carer or kinship carer who has completed the pre-service and standard modules of the Quality care: Foster care training package?
• Are you enrolled in, or thinking about enrolling in TAFE courses in Community Services or Child Care?

If you answered 'yes' to these questions, you may be able to use the training you've done, along with your foster or kinship care and other experience, to gain RPL towards TAFE courses.

You can use these guidelines to help you work out whether you have the evidence you need to get RPL.

What is RPL?

TAFE courses [such as Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (Child Protection)] are made up of a number of competencies.

To finish each competency, you need to show that you have the skills and knowledge required in that competency. Normally you do this by going to classes and doing assignments and exams.

Through RPL you can have your previous experience and training count towards the competency - meaning that you don't need to do the classes and assessment for that competency and can finish your course sooner.

This is done by showing evidence of your skills and knowledge in the area. TAFE compares your evidence with the performance criteria that make up the competency.

Note : If you get RPL you will still need to pay for the competency.

How do I get RPL for my course?

If you are interested in getting RPL, here are a few tips:

• Gather your evidence for the competency or competencies for which you want to get RPL. Refer to Guidelines for getting the evidence you need for RPL (PDF, 40 KB) to see whether you have the evidence you need to get RPL for parts of your course. Keep in mind that this is a guide only - you won't need all of this evidence to get RPL.
• Contact your local TAFE or visit the TAFE Queensland website to find out more. Make sure you show them the guidelines when enquiring about RPL. Your local TAFE will arrange to do an assessment of your evidence to work out whether you can get RPL.
• If you get RPL, you will not need to complete any assessment for that competency.

To find out more about RPL or TAFE courses and college locations, visit the TAFE Queensland website or phone 1300 30 8233.