Training credit and recognition of prior learning
Before you start (or recommence) your apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland, you can reduce your training time by getting previous training assessed and credited towards your qualification.
There are 3 types of skills and experience you can get credit for:
- time credit
- credit transfer
- recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Time credit
You can apply for time credit if you:
- have already spent time working as an apprentice or trainee (in Queensland or interstate)
- are recommencing in the same apprenticeship or traineeship
- have completed a pre-vocational course listed as relevant to your apprenticeship or traineeship.
How to apply for time credit
Your employer must approve any time credit applied for. You and your employer can speak to your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider about getting credit for time already served in your previous training contracts.
Credit transfer
A credit transfer recognises the study you've already done at school, college, TAFE, university, or even formal learning at work. You can also get credit from applicable previous courses transferred to your apprenticeship or traineeship qualification.
You can't get credit transfer for your whole course, only partial credit.
How to apply for credit transfer
Check with your training organisation before enrolling in the apprenticeship or traineeship qualification. You must have certified copies of your certificates, awards or qualifications.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is about the skills and knowledge you've gained through previous work and life experiences. Your skills will be assessed against industry standards. This is done by an RPL assessor. You may be asked to:
- perform tasks or jobs
- talk about and explain how you do those jobs
- provide samples of your work.
How to apply for RPL
Contact your training organisation to find an RPL assessor.
Learn more about RPL.