RPL a sore spot for RTO compliance
- Specialised VET Services
- Jul 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 28
27.7.25
Another RTO Shut Down - Poor RPL practices as one of the reasons
ASQA is set to cancel thousands more qualifications. It was announced this week that Habour City College Pty Ltd (ex-RTO 41502) was shut down because they did not:
a) have an assessment system that ensured assessment including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) met the training package requirements, principles of assessment, or the rules of evidence
b) conduct adequate assessment against all training package requirements prior to issuing qualifications
c) have access to all the required resources to undertake RPL assessment
d) have appropriately qualified personnel to deliver training and assessment, for the qualifications listed
This is another devastating blow for VET, the students who now have worthless credentials, RTOs who may no longer have trainers qualified to train/assess, and employers who may now have unqualified staff.
ASQA is clamping down on poor RPL practice as recognition of prior learning is part of its 2025 regulatory risk priorities.
We know the majority of RTOs are in business to do the right thing.
But we also know that somewhere along the line, a gap has emerged in how to conduct effective, compliant RPL.
We're here to help.
A Community of Learning about RPL
For two years, we've been running the active Community of Learning about RPL called RPL Matters.
This is a space where anyone in VET can come to learn more about, well, RPL matters.
We have regular guest speakers who talk about what they're doing so you have access to new ideas and approaches from the group. And all the sessions are recorded so if you're only joining now, you can browse the library of past topics.
We're meeting again as a group in the next couple of weeks for an 'open mic' session to unpack RPL in the ASQA FAQs file and the practicalities of application in your RTO.
Membership is $110 per person per year.
Professional development webinars about RPL
We're in the middle of a series of webinars about 'How to Create RPL that Works'. Here, we've been identifying the fundamental components of effective RPL tools and processes.
In our last session, presenter Wendy Cato guided us through the "dark side of RPL" by highlighting all of the outdated processes that have proven to be ineffective and risky to RTO compliance, before showcasing what best-practice looks like and what to include in quality RPL tools.
You can still register for the session series; join the upcoming webinars and watch the recorded past sessions.
Webinars in the series are $65 each per person, or as a bundle for $245 per person.
Guided Learning Programs for Sustained, In-Depth Understanding of Better RPL
We also host the Advanced RPL Assessor learning programs.
These are courses that you can undertake to learn more about how to create RPL Kits that are fit for purpose, user friendly and can effectively support RPL candidates, no matter their circumstances. As part of the course, you also learn how to cluster assessments properly.
Importantly, when you enrol and undertake one of the programs, you are not left to go it alone.
Yes, there is video learning to watch and eBooks to read, but you also get frequent one-on-one touchpoints from a highly experienced RPL assessor as your mentor - someone with real-world, hands-on, frontline expertise in conducting RPL and helping industry and organisations to reap the benefits of the process when done well.
Registrations are $1,250 / $1,950 per person for the program, with all learning materials, mentoring hours, and ongoing membership to RPL Matters included.
Call to action.
The VET sector needs quality RTOs to remain. So far this year alone, over 25 THOUSAND qualifications have been cancelled, multiple providers shut down and there are more to come. And poor RPL practice has been cited in almost all of these cases.
We offer relevant, quality training on RPL to close emerging gaps in best-practice processes. RPL is not a focus within recent iterations of the TAE qualifications, and knowledge of how to properly conduct RPL is fading within our industry.
An answer of "yes" (or a quiet "maybe") to any of the following suggests outdated methods are in place, and these are the things the regulator is watching:
Does your RTO...?
Screen potential candidates using online self assessments
Enrol students and then tell them how much it will cost to process their RPL application
Wait to provide information about RPL and/or eligibility until after enrolment
Tell potential candidates it will be easier to “just do the course”
Not provide and/or support gap training for RPL candidates
Assess RPL via desk audits/reviews of evidence - with little-to-no verification of evidence provided
Meet with potential candidates, and then not get back in touch with them until after the RPL decision/s have been made
Tell candidates to review the unit and decide what evidence they might have for their claim
Tell candidates to provide videos of their evidence without proper guidance or observation checklists in place
Avoid, or have no conversations or professional discussions with candidates
If you gave a positive response to any of the above, we invite you to consider our options for RPL support.
Further, can you say...?
In your RTO, RPL is conducted by assessors who are experienced assessors (not recent Cert IV TAE graduates), and have experience conducting RPL
You/your assessors:
Understand how to service a candidate who presents without access to workplace evidence
Can confidently and accurately map non-traditional evidence
Engage in regular PD about RPL to stay up-to-date - thereby evidencing compliance with Outcome Standards 3.2.1 and 3.2.2c
If "no", the Advanced RPL Assessor programs will help you fix all of that.
There are two options to learn more about better RPL for your RTO:
Learn and Assess - where you also get to develop an RPL Kit and have it confirmed by an RPL expert
Learn Only - where you get all of the learning and support but are not assessed
Alumni from the programs get free membership to RPL Matters to support ongoing currency in recognition of prior learning.
The programs get 5 star ratings from participants and you can enrol and start anytime.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For RTO staff, we have drafted a 'Request for PD Support' letter which may help secure funding assistance from your employer. Download and edit the letter which outlines the benefits and ROI of your registration in an Advanced RPL Assessor learning program:
The letter:
We look forward to welcoming you too!
🎯 No more RTO shut downs because of RPL-related issues
To all reading this who are already enrolled in the RPL series, a learning program and/or who have membership to RPL Matters - thank you. And we know you know the importance of keeping students safe, outcomes strong, and our sector credible.
If you're reading and are worried about whether you have the current skills and competencies for conducting practical, compliant, candidate-centred RPL, don't. We are here to help.
The VET sector is in turmoil with new Standards, reform changes, widespread funding cuts... but skills and knowledge to conduct RPL well... that's something that is within your control.
Reach out to us if you want to know more or simply sign up to start accessing the various support options available. We'll give you renewed ways of approaching RPL in your RTO with packs, processes and practices that work!
-This article is AITA Scale Rating 1
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See the announcement regarding the latest ASQA RTO cancellation