Recognition of Prior Learning
September 21, 2026 2026-10-24 6:53Recognition of Prior Learning
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING · GDC RTO 46191
Recognise what you know. Formalise what you do.
Already working? Your current role can count towards a nationally recognised qualification. A GDC assessor matches what you do at work against each unit, and you only study the units you don't yet meet.
RPL is the main way experienced people enter GDC. Study follows only where there is a gap.
You won't do this alone. A GDC assessor meets with you at set times, gives feedback on each submission and guides you through every unit.
RPL RECOGNISES LEARNING GAINED THROUGH
Formal training conducted by educational institutions
Formal and informal training conducted by industry organisations
Work experience
Life experience
How RPL works
GDC assessors meet with you at pre-arranged times throughout, answering questions and providing professional guidance as you complete each section for each unit of competency.
01
Seek recognition
A person with experience, skills and/or qualifications seeks recognition for unit(s) of competency in the relevant training package.
02
Identify units
Units relevant to the workplace and/or qualification are identified, along with the performance criteria and context for assessment required for each unit.
03
Match your experience
Your experience, skills and qualifications are matched against the performance criteria, evidence guide and range statement.
04
Gather evidence
Evidence is gathered with workplace and peer, facilitator or mentor support. Advice and documentation from supervisors, team leaders, training managers and workplace reports can help.
05
Assessment
A qualified assessor with relevant technical skills and knowledge conducts the assessment. Evidence is judged on sufficiency, validity, reliability, currency and authenticity.
06
Recognition
Partial or full recognition is granted. A Statement of Attainment is awarded for demonstrated units; an AQF qualification is issued when all units in a course are achieved.
Assessment results and feedback
After your RPL and skills assessment is complete, your assessor will:
Send you your results and an assessment matrix highlighting your areas of strength and areas to work through
Set an online meeting to explain the results and give you the opportunity to ask clarifying questions
Record the results in the GDC student management system, for submission to the Australian Government
Where gaps are identified in your skills, knowledge or experience, discuss training options to help you fill them
ASSESSMENT METHODS MAY INCLUDE
Oral questioning · Demonstration and observation · Documentary evidence · Portfolio · Third-party reports
Credit transfer
Already completed accredited units, or formal study outside the AQF? It may count toward your GDC qualification.
AQF CREDIT TRANSFER
Recognise what you know
GDC fully recognises Statements of Attainment and qualifications issued by all nationally recognised RTOs, in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework and the 2025 Standards for RTOs. If you have already completed identical units of competency, you may be eligible for credit transfer — also called advanced standing — and will not need to repeat them.
Submit certified copies of your Statement(s) of Attainment, qualification transcript(s) or authenticated USI transcript. Where the units are confirmed as equivalent, the Training Coordinator authorises the credit and GDC processes the application at no cost to you. Successful credit transfers may shorten your course and do not attract tuition fees.
NON-AQF CREDIT TRANSFER
Accelerate with what you already know
If you have completed formal or informal learning outside the AQF, you may apply for credit transfer by written request to the Training Coordinator, with a certified academic transcript and a written explanation of the units you are seeking credit for.
Your prior learning is assessed for comparability against the unit(s) of competency — considering learning outcomes, volume of learning, program content, and learning and assessment methodologies. GDC provides a written outcome within five working days.
Evidence: clear, relevant and recognisable
You will need to demonstrate that you already hold the skills, knowledge and experience set out in each unit, through evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic.
Review the unit requirements
Read the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and assessment requirements for each unit. These describe exactly what you must demonstrate.
Match evidence to requirements
Each piece of evidence must relate directly to a specific element, performance criterion or knowledge requirement. Use the evidence mapping template to link them.
Authentic and recent
All evidence must be your own work, and recent enough to show current competency — generally within the past five years.
Link theory and practice
Show not only that you can do the activity, but that you understand the research, constructs and methodologies relevant to your industry, and how they apply in the real world.
Types of evidence
Evidence may include, but is not limited to:
Direct demonstration
Tasks observed by an assessor, in the workplace or a simulated environment
Indirect demonstration
Photos or video of you performing a task
Products
Items made, fixed or developed that show practical skill
Workplace documents
Reports, strategic plans, budgets, policies, procedures
Certificates and qualifications
Accredited certificates, diplomas, degrees, transcripts
Third-party reports
Signed feedback from supervisors, managers or experts
Written and oral questions
Responses to scenarios and case studies
Semi-structured interviews
Guided discussion of projects, roles and outcomes
Supervisor or manager
A person who can attest to your workplace competency
Assignments
Business reports, research, project proposals, learning journals
Simulation
Role plays of emergency response or mock negotiations
Self-assessment
A reflective statement of how you meet the unit
Portfolios
A structured collection of CVs, documents, reports and media
Employment records
Contracts, job descriptions, performance appraisals
Logbooks or diaries
Ongoing records of tasks and hours worked
Reflective journals
Personal analysis of experiences and what you learned
Resume
An overview of your work history, skills and qualifications
Qualifications with RPL
RPL is available across all eight of GDC's accredited qualifications — 65 units across 8 programmes. Download the RPL information pack for your qualification to see its units and evidence requirements.
GRADUATE DIPLOMAS · AQF LEVEL 8
FEATURED PATHWAY · CRISIS, DISASTER & RESILIENCE
PUA80119
Graduate Diploma of Crisis Leadership
For emergency managers, local government, fire, police, ambulance, health and related resilience roles. Have your crisis and disaster leadership experience recognised, then study only the units you don't yet meet.
Download RPL PackADVANCED DIPLOMA AND DIPLOMAS
Find out what your experience is worth
Talk to GDC about your experience and which units you might be recognised for. An assessor will guide you through the evidence you need.
What RPL looks like in practice
RPL is a conversation, not a form. Here is how the work runs once you begin.
YOUR FIRST UNIT
Orientation, then four RPL meetings
Recognition of prior learning is more involved for your first unit. It begins with a GDC online orientation, then you address the unit element by element, with four RPL meetings with your assessor along the way — feedback on each submission, an interview, and time to close any gaps before you are found competent.
REMAINING UNITS
A shorter six-step cycle
01 Address the unit elements and performance criteria
02 Submit, and receive assessor feedback
03 Unit RPL meeting — feedback and interview
04 Identify and address any gaps
05 Final submission, assessment and feedback
06 Found to be competent