Skills Recognition Policy

1. Purpose

CIT is committed to recognising the existing skills and experience of its students. This policy outlines how students can gain recognition of their existing skills and experience through recognition of prior learning (RPL) and/or credit transfer.

2. Scope

This policy covers:

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and
• Credit Transfer.

3. Principles

General Principles

3.1 CIT is committed to Skills Recognition and will offer it to all potential and current students.

3.2 Applicants must be admitted to the course but do not need to be enrolled in a unit of competency (UoC)/subject at CIT to apply for Skills Recognition.

3.3 Applicants may seek pathways from other educational institutions, and the CIT Skills Recognition team and/or Education Quality will manage any formal RPL and articulation arrangements.

3.4 Skills Recognition can be used in CIT higher education courses. Evidence-based procedures are to be applied transparently and consistently, and assessment must show how it is aligned to the UoC learning outcomes.

3.5 If the RPL or credit transfer application is successful, the applicant will be granted those UoCs in the CIT course, which may reduce the period of study.  For International Students on student visas, any reduction in the course duration will be reported to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment via the Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) under section 19 of the Education Services for Overseas Students 2000 Act (ESOS Act).

3.6 Fees for RPL will be the same as course registration fees, and concessions may apply to reduce these fees.

3.7 No fees apply for Credit Transfer applications.

Credit Transfer (see below for definition)

3.8 Credit Transfer will be granted where the UoC code and title are identical or where the national VET register (training.gov.au) identifies the units to be equivalent.

3.9 Where one UoC does not have the same national code, but meets all the requirements of another UoC, Credit Transfer will be granted on approval from Education Quality.

3.10 Industry regulations may apply when assessing the currency of a UoC (for example, a CPR unit will not be granted as a Credit Transfer if older than 12 months).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

3.11 RPL will be granted upon successful assessment of an applicant’s skills and knowledge. Evidence may include:

1. Industry and workplace evidence
2. Formal study evidence from an Australian university,
3. Completed UoCs from another RTO where the National IDs are not identical to the subjects or UoCs being assessed, and/or
4. Multiple completed UoCs from another RTO which are used for a single subject or UoC being assessed.

3.12 RPL evidence must be current as determined by industry regulations.

3.13 If industry regulations do not apply, then evidence must be no greater than five years old.

3.14 Evidence of the outcomes of previous informal learning (which may include components of formal learning) can be considered for RPL.

Instances where Skills Recognition may be limited or not apply at all:

3.15 CIT will not issue an award where all subjects/UoCs have been completed at another RTO. Australian Apprentices may be exempt from this requirement.

3.16 ACT Government funding requirements may limit the amount of Skills Recognition available to Australian apprentices and Skilled Capital students.

4. Documentation

Canberra Institute of Technology Act 1987

Education Services for Overseas Students Regulations 2019

Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards)

CIT Pathways

Skills Recognition information on CIT Website

Policies on the CIT Website

Assessment Policy

Teacher Qualifications, Experience & Increments Policy

Awards and Academic Advice Policy

Academic Appeals Policy

Fees Policy

Staff Studying at CIT Policy

5. Definitions

All terminology used in this policy is consistent with definitions in the CIT Definitions of Terms. Definitions important for the understanding of the policy:

6. Policy Contact Officer

For more information regarding this policy contact Director, Education Services.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au.

7. Procedures

This policy is implemented through the associated procedures. Authority to make changes to the procedures rests with the policy owner.