Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) / Portability
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a pathway that formally acknowledges the skills, knowledge, and experience you have already gained. It’s important to understand that RPL is not a shortcut. To be successful, you need to provide clear, valid, and verifiable evidence of your competence. Through RPL, you may gain recognition for:
The full qualification
Students who provide exemplary evidence may be able to receive RPL for most/all of their qualification. This does require an extensive evidence portfolio that clearly demonstrates how the student meets the requirements.
Individual units of competency
Students may receive RPL for an individual unit of competency if their evidence only meets certain criteria.
For example, a student can receive RPL for HLTWHS001 – Workplace Health and Safety if their RPL evidence is specific to workplace health and safety.
Clusters of units grouped as modules
Students can receive RPL for a cluster of units (or module) if their RPL evidence is specific to an area of sport and fitness.
For example, our Certificate III in Fitness clusters 3 Group Exercise units together to form a Group Exercise module. Students who have experience in Group Exercise could receive RPL for this module.
The Process
The core component of your RPL application is your evidence portfolio. This is where you demonstrate how your previous learning and work experience meet the competency requirements of your chosen qualification. Your portfolio should contain a combination of primary evidence (direct proof of competence) and supplementary evidence (additional support where needed).
Primary Evidence
Primary evidence consists of documentation that clearly demonstrates your competence, such as:
- Accredited qualifications and statements of attainment, including transcripts
- Resume (CV) outlining your work history
- Records of non-accredited training (e.g. workshops or workplace training)
- Workplace documents and samples (such as emails, reports, programs, assessments, or consultation forms)
- Videos of workplace tasks
Supplementary Evidence
Where there are gaps in your portfolio, supplementary evidence can help reinforce your application. This may include:
- Practical demonstrations of your skills observed by an assessor
- Third-party reports from supervisors, managers, or clients confirming your performance
- Professional registrations or memberships
- Interviews or verbal questioning to verify your knowledge in specific areas
- References or letters of validation
Mapping The Evidence
Once you have prepared your evidence portfolio, a Fit Education assessor will review your evidence against the Performance Criteria, Knowledge Criteria and Elements for each unit of competency. Evidence that meets all these criteria will receive RPL, whereas additional work will be required if the evidence does not meet the criteria.
A well-organised portfolio helps streamline the assessment process and improves your likelihood of a successful outcome.
The Difference Between Portability & RPL
Some international fitness qualifications may be considered for portability by certain Australian fitness governing bodies. This allows students holding eligible overseas qualifications to work in Australia with a comparable fitness credential.
Unlike RPL, it is important to note that portability does not equate to a nationally recognised Australian qualification. Students may still need to complete additional study in Australia if they wish to pursue higher-level qualifications.
Students should contact the relevant fitness governing bodies directly to confirm whether their international qualification is eligible for portability – in Australia AusActive and FitRec are the main fitness governing bodies.
Students who are ineligible for portability can review the RPL process to gain their Australian qualifications. Contact Fit Education today to find our more information