Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Defence

Does Defence offer funding programs? Yes.

Many personnel aren’t aware of the different types of funding provided by the ADF for education purposes. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of funding and what they’re for.

Please note, we can’t give you any further advice about these funding programs or assess your eligibility for them, as they are internal and facilitated by Defence. This page is designed to give you information to use as a springboard for further research.

Career Transition Assistance Scheme (CTAS)

The purpose of the Career Transition Assistance Scheme (CTAS) is to support ADF members transitioning out of Defence to prepare for their civilian career.

Defence Assisted Study Scheme (DASS)

The purpose of the Defence Assisted Study Scheme (DASS) is to encourage ADF members to undertake professional training and education throughout their military career.

More info on CTAS and DAAS here.

Partner Education & Employment Program (PEEP)

The Partner Education and Employment Program (PEEP) is a funding program provided by Defence to assist partners of ADF members with their education and employment. This includes vocational education and training. Eligibility criteria applies. More info here.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)

Eligible members may qualify for assistance from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, or DVA for rehabilitation support services including Vocational Rehabilitation. This may involve vocational training, and/or Recognition of Prior Learning. More info here.

Army Relief Trust Fund
Members who have served in the ARA for a continuous period of 12 months or longer can apply for a loan with the Army Relief Trust Fund. General Loans can be used for the purposes of education. Loans are subject to approval. More info here.

Is there a Government subsidy available? Yes. Ask us for which qualifications.

People who live in Queensland may be eligible for subsidised RPL through Queensland Government subsidies programs. The qualifications that attract subsidies are those that the Queensland Government has designated as priorities, meaning that more skilled workers are needed in these areas.

Eligible individuals can complete Recognition of Prior Learning under the Higher Level Skills and Certificate 3 Guarantee Queensland Government subsidy programs.

As an example of how this works with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), the cost for attaining a BSB30715 Certificate III in Work Health and Safety through RPL is $995.

But, if you are a Queensland resident and qualify for a subsidy through the Certificate 3 Guarantee Queensland Government subsidy program, you would pay a co-contribution fee of $80 (or $40 concession) to RPL in the qualification.

More info here.

How does the RPL process work?

1. We conduct a free preliminary skills assessment and give you a report
2. You tell us the qualifications you want and provide evidence
3. You receive nationally recognised qualifications!

Let’s step this out a bit more:

Step 1. We conduct a free preliminary skills assessment and give you a report.
The RPL process begins with a conversation with one of our Skills Advisors.

• You tell us what you’re looking for and where you want to go
• You provide a few easily accessible documents
• You’ll be sent a report within 48 hours. This will include a breakdown of costs involved and lists the qualifications:
  • You could be eligible for right now
  • You could be eligible for with a little more online gap training.

This is cost-free and obligation-free.

Step 2. You tell us the qualifications you want and provide evidence.
You can make an informed decision about which qualifications are best for you and your career. Once this is confirmed, we can complete the process.

• We tell you exactly what evidence we need to establish your competency in the units that make up a qualification
• You provide your evidence, then you can sit back and relax!
• We match the evidence to the units. This is called mapping. Other providers may get you to do this yourself.

Step 3. You receive nationally recognised qualifications!
Congratulations! Your experience has been validated and translated into nationally recognised qualifications.

• To save you time, we submit all the paperwork to the government for you. This formalises your qualifications.
• You receive your qualifications though both email and post, within 14 days. Or, with our VIP Fast-Track Service, you can have them in just 7 days.

Are RPL qualifications nationally recognised? Yes.

Churchill Education is a registered training organisation, RTO:31430. This means that we are regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the Australian Government regulatory body for the VET sector.

The qualifications that we offer are nationally recognised, and issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Accordingly, they’re exactly the same as those granted by other educational institutions such as TAFE.

Read commonly asked questions and answers here.