Some Australian education and training providers offer course credits or exemptions based on your previous studies. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Australian providers may offer RPL on:
Once you have applied for RPL, you may be given course credits or an exemption for part of your new course.
Australia has a system to recognise qualifications from other countries. The Australian Government’s National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) helps Australian education and training providers to assess prior learning from overseas and its equivalent in the Australian education system.
Course credits may be given for higher education or vocational education and training (VET) studies that have already been completed.
Some of your previous study may be equivalent to parts of your new course. The education provider offering your new course will decide if your previous study or work experience can be recognised under RPL for ‘course credit’.
Getting course credits may make your new program shorter – so you get your qualification more quickly.
An exemption is a type of RPL that means you don’t need to take a compulsory or prerequisite unit of study because of your previous studies. However, to get your qualification, you will still need to complete the entire course and take a replacement subject instead.
Each education and training provider offering course credits or course exemptions will have their own RPL requirements. These can include documentation of your previous studies or relevant work experience. You may also need to provide academic transcripts or certificates, and details on units of study already completed.
Your Australian education or training provider will help you find the best course and enrolment plan based on your prior learning. Contact any Australian provider admissions office via the Study Australia Course Search tool.
To make the most of your prior learning, it’s important to work with providers who follow a clear and thorough assessment process. A genuine RPL process ensures your skills are properly evaluated and your qualification is recognised by employers. Learn how to identify quality providers and make confident choices on the Your Career website.