10. Credit Transfer, Articulation and Recognition of Prior Learning
What You Need to Know
Credit Transfer Rules
Credit transfer is a process that provides you with credit for previous formal study that is equivalent to your nominated qualification.
For Vocational Education and Training students, credit transfer may be granted below 100% of a qualification.
For Higher Education students, the maximum credit allowed towards a qualification is:
- 50% of a qualification that is less than 3 years full-time in duration;
- 1 year of a qualification that is 3 years full-time in duration; and
- 1.5 years of a qualification that is 4 years full-time in duration.
Current and prospective students are eligible to apply for credit transfer when:
- You have previously successfully completed the unit/s through TAFE Queensland or other registered training organisation or higher education provider;
- The unit/s for which you are applying for credit was not awarded by the previous registered training organisation or higher education provider through credit;
- You are applying for admission or currently enrolled in unit/s with TAFE Queensland for which you are applying for credit;
- The unit/s is embedded within the qualification in which you are applying for admission or enrolled. Where the relevant unit/s are electives within the qualification’s packaging rules, only the required number of electives for the qualification will be eligible for credit; and
- For User Choice students, the completed units/s are relevant to the vocational outcome of the current qualification (leading to employment outcome/career progression).
Credit Transfer Applications
To make a credit transfer application you will need to complete a:
- Credit Transfer Application Form (VET) or Credit Transfer Application Form (VET E-Sign Version) – for vocational education and training students; or
- Credit Transfer Application and Mapping Form (HE) – for higher education students.
You must submit your application prior to the start of study (or relevant census date for FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans students).
Along with this form, you should also submit any relevant qualification testamurs, Record of Results, statements of attainment, graduation statements, or a USI Transcript. For Higher Education students only, these documents should either be copies certified by a Justice of the Peace, or originals for sighting by an appropriate TAFE Queensland staff member.
Credit Transfer Decisions
TAFE Queensland will advise you of the credit transfer decision in writing as soon as possible after your application and all relevant documentation is received.
What You Need to Know
Articulation Rules and Process
Articulation arrangements mean that your education and training with TAFE Queensland automatically counts towards a program with a university.
TAFE Queensland has a large number of articulation arrangements with universities across Australia.
Check with your teacher or student services/Customer Services area to see if any articulation arrangements apply to you.
What You Need to Know
Recognition of Prior Learning Rules
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process that provides you with an opportunity to receive credit for the formal and non-formal learning you have undertaken.
The RPL process takes into account all relevant skills, knowledge, and experience that you have. Through the assessment process you may be able to gain a complete qualification (vocational education and training students only) or, if you have gaps in your knowledge, parts of a qualification, which you can then complete with additional training.
For higher education courses with TAFE Queensland there are limits on the amount of RPL you can claim towards a qualification.
As part of your RPL assessment you will be advised how much of your qualification can be achieved through RPL.
Recognition of Prior Learning Applications
To make an RPL application you will need to submit the following information to your local Student Services/Customer Services area:
- An RPL Self-Appraisal Form; and
- Supporting evidence such as Resume/CV, position description/s, records of any previous study such as certified copies of testamurs, Records of Results, statements of attainment, graduation statements, or a USI Transcript. Supporting evidence must be either copies certified by a Justice of the Peace, or originals for sighting by an appropriate TAFE Queensland staff member.
You must submit the form and supporting evidence prior to the start of study (or relevant census date for FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans students).
Recognition of Prior Learning Decisions
TAFE Queensland will acknowledge receipt of the RPL application/enquiry within 24 hours.
After that, an initial pre-enrolment interview will be arranged by TAFE Queensland within 5 business days of receipt of the application, to discuss the evidence required and advise you on your suitability for RPL.
If you are eligible, an RPL Assessor will provide you with an RPL Individual Training and Assessment Plan, which identifies the units/modules in which you need to enrol, and an RPL Candidate Guide for the relevant qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning Enrolment and Payment
Once you’ve been advised that you can enrol, you will be able to use the information provided in the RPL Individual Training and Assessment Plan to enrol into the relevant units of competency / modules and pay the relevant fees for your course.
Recognition of Prior Learning Assessments
The time taken to complete RPL assessments will depend on the complexity of, and the amount of evidence supplied to support the application.
TAFE Queensland will undertake the RPL assessment within the following timeframes, unless there are extenuating circumstances where evidence cannot be provided or additional assessments cannot be conducted:
- Single unit or single cluster of units – within 10 business days from the date of the enrolment;
- Multiple units or multiple clusters of units – within 20 business days from the date of the enrolment; and
- Full qualification – within 12 weeks from the date of the enrolment.
What You Need to Know
Internal Appeals:
If you believe that a credit transfer or RPL decision is unfair or incorrect, you have a right to appeal to your TAFE Queensland region’s Disciplinary and Appeals Committee.
If you are making an appeal, it must be made in writing and submitted to the regional General Manager within 20 business days of receiving the assessment decision.
The region’s Disciplinary and Appeals Committee will then consider the appeal and respond to you.
External Appeals:
If you are still dissatisfied with the decision, you have the right to take the case to an external body, such as:
- The Queensland Ombudsman;
- Australian Skills Quality Authority; or
- Queensland Department of Education and Training (for apprentices/trainees).
You are only allowed one external appeal decision. TAFE Queensland will give due consideration to the outcome of the external appeal.
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