Recognition and Credit Transfer

At TAFE NSW there are two ways that your previous skills, experience and learning may be recognised. This is through:

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and
• Credit Transfer.

TAFE NSW offers students the opportunity to have their different types of prior learning recognised, regardless of where and how that learning was achieved.

If you already know some of the content in a course, then you may not have to do all the subjects. This is called RPL and you will need to apply for this.
At TAFE NSW, we have formal processes in place to assess your prior learning in order to grant you RPL.

You may have gained these skills and knowledge through:

• work experience
• voluntary work
• school experience
• life experience or
• sporting achievements.

Where you are granted RPL for one or more units of competency, your course fee will be adjusted.
To find out if you are eligible, contact the TAFE NSW customer centre by completing the Enquiry form.

Credit transfer is credit given towards a qualification for a unit of competency you’ve completed from another nationally accredited course. You may have completed this unit through TAFE NSW or another formal vocational education and training organisation. Where you are granted a credit transfer for one or more units of competency, your student fee will be adjusted.

TAFE NSW recognises qualifications that are part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), including those obtained from other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
This is known as ‘National Recognition'. We also have credit transfer agreements with NSW schools, Adult and Community Education (ACE) colleges and some private education and training providers.

To apply for Credit Transfer, you will need to complete the Enrolment Adjustment – Credit – Previous Studies form and submit to the relevant Teacher or Head Teacher for consideration. Please note: Credit Transfer does not guarantee automatic entry into a TAFE NSW course.

To get started with RPL, follow the instructions below.

Check your eligibility

• Complete the online Enquire now form.
• From the drop down menu select the enquiry type, topic and location.
• In the comment section state the course you want to enrol in.

A TAFE NSW staff member will contact you to determine which units of competency you may be eligible to apply for RPL.

Submitting your application
Once enrolled in your course and your eligibility for RPL has been confirmed you will need to:

• complete the Enrolment Adjustment – Recognition of Prior Learning form
• attach your supporting evidence
• submit all the documents to your Head Teacher, who will assess your RPL application.

RPL decisions
You’ll be notified of the outcome of your RPL application within three weeks. If successful, you’ll receive a transcript showing the RPL you've been granted.
If your application for RPL is unsuccessful, you have the option to appeal for a review of the RPL results.

You need to provide evidence to show that you meet the skills and knowledge requirements for RPL.
To support your application, here are some examples of the evidence that can be used.

Include any verified copies of academic transcripts from the original provider, or original or certified copies of other documents. Copies of original documents must be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP). You may also need to complete an interview, practical assessment or tasks to prove your skills are current.

Portfolio
Your portfolio should include:

• job description(s)
• work examples or samples
• email communication with clients or colleagues
• performance management reports or annual reviews
• minutes of meetings you attended or conducted
• publications.

Media
Files that demonstrate communication, customer service or work skills such as:

• images
• video
• audio.

Certificates or course transcript
Evidence of your vocational and/or higher education qualifications:

• certificates
• diplomas
• degrees
• statements of results or courses completed at work.

Life experience
We accept broad life experiences, so consider:

• community group involvement
  
• hobbies
  
• leisure pursuits
• committee memberships.

Letters, references and resume
Documents that can validate your credentials include:

• letters of validation from employers
• letters of validation from community groups
• endorsement from clients
• endorsement from current or past colleagues
• your resume and work history.

Please provide contact details as some documents may require a verification call.
Your supporting evidence will help the TAFE NSW assessor to map your skills to the relevant unit(s) of competency.
If additional evidence is needed, you’ll be contacted for an update on your application.

Before submitting a formal appeal, it’s recommended that you discuss your concerns with the head teacher or the staff member who assessed your application.
To lodge a formal appeal, contact your head teacher or the Student Administration Officer at your campus within 14 days of receiving the outcome.

To get started with Credit Transfer you will need to:

• complete the Enrolment Adjustment – Credit – Previous Studies form, and
• submit it to your head teacher for processing.

It’s important to apply for Credit Transfer as soon as you're enrolled and before your unit or course starts. This will help with your study planning.

Course fees with a Credit Transfer
If Credit Transfer is granted, your course fee may be adjusted.
It's important to remember that your reduced fee eligibility may depend on:

• whether you're a domestic or international student, and
• if you have received a subsidy or fee waiver.

If you’re eligible for a fee reduction, the amount may vary based on the number of units of competency for which RPL is granted and the fee structure of your course.

Providing evidence for Credit Transfer
You need to provide evidence to show that you meet the requirements for Credit Transfer.
For qualifications you've previously completed at TAFE NSW, you'll need to provide evidence of your results.

This includes:

• your Unique Student Identifier (USI) transcript, or
• a TAFE NSW-issued Transcript of Academic Record.

For qualifications completed at another Registered Training Organisation (RTO), you'll need to submit a:

• USI transcript, or
• verified Transcript of Academic Record from the issuing RTO.

Include any verified copies of academic transcripts from the original provider, or original or certified copies of other documents.
Copies of original documents must be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP).
If you're using a USI transcript as evidence for Credit Transfer, you’ll need to provide TAFE NSW permission to verify its authenticity through your USI account.

As a TAFE NSW graduate, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer toward a university program.
With over 2,500 pathways available, the TAFE NSW Credit Transfer website can help you plan your pathway to higher education.

TAFE NSW has Credit Transfer agreements with a number of Australian universities. This means these universities will recognise your previous studies at TAFE NSW. How much credit you are eligible for varies depending on your course, chosen institution and the grades achieved. 

Credit can be granted in three ways:

• block credit is where you're given credit for a block component of a course, thereby significantly advancing your progression through the course. For example, you may receive credit of 60 credit points towards a whole stage or component of your course.
• specified credit - is when you're given credit for specific units and where there is equivalency in learning outcomes of your prior learning compared to the same unit in the new course.
• unspecified credit - is where the credit you are given towards a course can be used towards a part of the course of your choice. For example, it could be a credit for elective units.

Visit credittransfer.tafensw.edu.au to find out how many Credit Points a TAFE NSW qualification can give you.

No Credit Transfer agreements
If there’s no formal agreement for your chosen TAFE NSW course, university or higher education provider, you can still apply for Credit Transfer directly.
All education providers must meet pathways requirements outlined in the Australian Qualification Framework’s Qualifications Pathways Policy.