A: No. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is still an assessment process. The difference is that instead of completing all of the normal training and assessment activities, you are asking the RTO to recognise knowledge and skills you have already gained through previous training, employment and life experience. Your RPL application therefore needs to provide sufficient evidence for BARS Training Australia to map your prior learning against every required element, performance criterion, performance evidence and knowledge evidence of each unit of competency for which you are seeking recognition. That can actually be quite a substantial task. Having many years of security, policing, military or other relevant experience certainly helps, but the RTO still needs evidence demonstrating that your experience covers the current competency requirements.

Where gaps exist, additional assessment may be required through questions, professional discussion, practical demonstrations or other assessment activities. It is also important to understand that RPL is not a free service provided by an RTO. Regular BARS course fees apply to an RPL application because a qualified assessor still has to review your evidence, map it against the competency requirements, identify any gaps, conduct any additional assessment required and make a formal competency decision. Sometimes people assume RPL is the free or easy way to obtain a qualification. It isn't. For someone with extensive, current and well-documented experience, RPL can be an excellent pathway. In other cases, completing the regular course may actually be easier than assembling and assessing a substantial RPL portfolio.

RPL means we recognise your prior learning – it does not remove the requirement for assessment or the costs involved in conducting that assessment.