Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy

PP5 – Credit Transfer Policy

1. Purpose

To ensure VET students receive recognition for previously completed equivalent training products, through a fair, timely, and transparent Credit Transfer (CT) process. The policy also supports international students in accordance with Standard 2 of the National Code 2018.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All VET students (domestic and international) seeking recognition of prior learning via Credit Transfer.
• All qualifications and skill set on MIC’s scope of registration.
• All staff involved in enrolment, training, assessment, student support, and compliance.

3. Definitions

4. Legislative & Regulatory Reference

• Standards for RTOs 2025 – Outcome Standard 1.7
• National Code 2018 – Standard 2
• AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy
• Student Identifiers Act 2014
• Training.gov.au (for equivalency determination)

5. Policy Statement

MIC ensures:

• Students are informed of their right to apply for Credit Transfer (CT) at pre-enrolment, enrolment, and orientation.
• CT is granted where the unit of competency has the same code/title or is listed as equivalent on training.gov.au.
• CT and Course Credit are recognised as the same process under this policy to avoid confusion.

CT is only granted when:

• Valid AQF documentation or authenticated transcripts are submitted.
• There are no licensing restrictions requiring reassessment.

International students granted CT:

• Have their course duration adjusted in the CoE and PRISMS, if applicable.

All CT outcomes are:

• Made within 20 business days of receiving a complete application.
• Notified to the student in writing.
• Stored in the student file and SMS.
• Reflected in training plans and/or class timetables.

6. Procedure – Step-by-Step

This procedure outlines the step-by-step process for managing Credit Transfer (CT), also known as Course Credit, in compliance with Outcome Standard 1.7 of the Standards for RTOs 2025 and Standard 2.3 of the National Code 2018 for international students.

7. Validation Criteria

Credit Transfer decisions must:

• Be supported by certified AQF documentation or authenticated USI transcripts.
• Be based on unit equivalency status confirmed via training.gov.au.
• Be consistently applied and traceable in SMS and student files.
• Avoid duplicate delivery of previously completed learning.
• Be compliant with licensing or regulatory requirements where applicable.

8. Related Documents

• Credit Transfer Application Form
• CT Decision and Outcome Letter
• Training.gov.au Equivalency Mapping
• USI Transcript or Verification
• Continuous Improvement Register
• Student Handbook

9. Flow chart

PP8 – Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy

1. Purpose

This policy ensures that all domestic and international students are informed of their right to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and are supported throughout the process. It ensures that all RPL decisions preserve the integrity of the training product, comply with training package requirements, and meet the obligations under the Standards for RTOs 2025 and National Code 2018 – Standards 2.3 to 2.5 (RPL only).

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All nationally recognised qualifications and units on MIC’s scope of registration
• All prospective and enrolled domestic and international VET students
• All MIC staff involved in student recruitment, enrolment, training, assessment, and compliance

3. Definitions

4. Legislative References

• Standards for RTOs 2025 – Outcome Standard 1.6
• National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 – Standards 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
• National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011
• AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy
• Training.gov.au – Training Package Guidelines

5. Policy Statement

MIC’s RPL Position (Suitability Assessment)

MIC has assessed its suitability to conduct RPL across the training products on its scope and has determined that it is not suited to offering RPL as a standard enrolment or completion pathway. This position reflects the nature of MIC’s scope and student cohort: MIC’s students are predominantly adult international students on student visas, enrolled in full-time CRICOS-registered qualifications (SIT commercial cookery and hospitality, CHC individual support, disability and community services, and BSB graduate management) whose CoE duration, study load and visa arrangements are established on the basis of full course delivery; the majority of units on MIC’s scope carry assessment conditions requiring demonstration in a real workplace and/or completion of mandatory work placement hours, which portfolio-based RPL evidence alone can rarely satisfy; and MIC’s assessment system and resources are structured around full delivery with supervised work placement rather than RPL portfolio assessment. This position is consistent with ASQA’s guidance on the 2025 Standards — the 2025 Standards Frequently Asked Questions (ASQA, version 3.0, October 2025), which recognise that enabling RPL may not be appropriate or practical in all circumstances, and ASQA’s sector webinar guidance on the 2025 Standards (November 2025), which acknowledged that a provider may identify that it is not suited to delivering RPL.

Consistent with Outcome Standard 1.6, MIC nevertheless:

• informs every prospective student about what RPL is and their right to seek it (pre-training review, Student Handbook and orientation);
• accepts and considers every written RPL application received — no application is refused without assessment of its evidence base;
• where an application demonstrates a strong evidence base, either conducts the RPL assessment with full rigour under this policy, or advises the student — before enrolment and without disadvantage — that they may seek RPL from another RTO with the training product on scope;
• never discourages, penalises or misleads a student in relation to RPL.

Credit Transfer (PP5) remains fully available and is not affected by this position. This suitability position will be formally reassessed at the next scheduled revision of this policy, and at every subsequent policy revision, against the ASQA guidance current at that time, with the outcome recorded in the Version Control table and the Continuous Improvement Register. Every decision made under this position is documented in the student file.

MIC is committed to recognising prior learning in a way that is:

• Transparent, fair, and consistently applied
• Supported by a structured process with clear guidance for students and assessors
• Based on valid, sufficient, current, and authentic evidence (Rules of Evidence)
• Only conducted by qualified assessors using MIC-approved tools
• Compliant with National Code 2018 where applicable to international students

International Students – RPL Specific Clauses (National Code 2018):

• A written RPL outcome letter is issued and accepted by the student.
• The record is retained for 2 years after the student ceases to be enrolled.
• If RPL shortens the course duration:
• The revised CoE is issued for the shorter duration.
• Any change in course length is reported to PRISMS.

6. Procedure – Step-by-Step

7. National Code 2018 – RPL Compliance Summary

8. Validation Criteria

All RPL outcomes must:

• Be based on valid, sufficient, current, and authentic evidence
• Be assessed by qualified assessors using mapped tools
• Be traceable in the training plan, student file, and SMS
• Be consistent with training package rules
• Preserve the integrity of the qualification

9. Related Documents

• RPL Kit
• RPL Assessment Tool
• RPL Outcome Letter Template
• Student Handbook
• Enrolment Form
• Training Plan
• PRISMS Reporting Log
• Continuous Improvement Register
• Student File Checklist

10. Flow Chart

The complete MIC Policy and Procedure Manual is available on request from [email protected].