1.1 AskACU is responsible for providing information about the administrative procedures for lodging RPL applications.

1.2 Admissions Section is responsible for matching domestic direct applications with any relevant articulation agreement and applying the agreed credit at the point of offer.

1.3 ACU International is responsible for applying credit at point of offer for international applicants:

1. where there is an established articulation agreement with an agreed credit articulation matrix; and
2. where no articulation agreement exists, referring the application to the relevant RPL Advisor for assessment.

1.4 The RPL Advisor is responsible for:

1. assisting applicants to understand the RPL assessment process;
2. assisting applicants to identify the learning or competency outcomes associated with their prior learning and identify areas where claims for credit might be made;
3. advising on the format of applications including the gathering of valid, current, sufficient and reliable evidence and the authentication required;
4. assessing applications for credit; and
5. where further evidence is required, providing advice on the learning or competency outcomes against which students will be assessed.

1.5 Executive Deans are responsible for approving applications for credit which are based on learning outside the time limit for credit specified in the Academic Regulations.

1.6 Enrolments, Fees and Scholarships is responsible for recording RPL assessment outcomes and advising students regarding such decisions and appeal processes.

2.1 Applications for entry/admission that involve consideration of RPL should be submitted in accordance with standard processes applicable to that particular course and mode of entry.

2.2 An international student applying for RPL at admission:

1. should apply directly to ACU International at the time of application;
2. decisions concerning international student applications will normally be made prior to the student’s first enrolment at ACU.

2.3 Applications for RPL for credit purposes lodged after admission by students must:

1. be submitted to the RPL Advisor using the relevant form;
2. include supporting documentation and a detailed description of the learning upon which the application is based;
3. identify the specific units for which credit is sought;
4. be assessed by the RPL Advisor;
5. be forwarded to Enrolments, Fees and Scholarships for processing and recording on the student system; and
6. in the case of an international student the outcome must be notified to ACU International.

2.4 Applications for RPL for credit purposes should be submitted:

1. at least 4 weeks before the commencement of any study period if the outcome of the decision is to be notified before commencement of that study period; or
2. no later than the census date in the first semester of the student’s enrolment in the course.

3.1 An application must be accompanied by supporting documentation which includes material or evidence which clearly identifies the applicant’s previous learning, indicating the knowledge, skills and experience acquired and the time at which they were acquired.

3.2 Sources of evidence and supporting documentation include:

3.2.1 For formal learning for units completed at ACU, the unit code, unit name and year completed detailed on the relevant form.

3.2.2 For formal learning for units completed an another institution.

1. certified copies of academic transcripts and unit results, together with an official explanation of the grading system used; and
2. where the credit is not based on an articulation agreement, the appropriate sections from the handbook and/or official unit outlines (including learning outcomes, topics, unit workload (e.g. contact hours), assessment types) for the year in which the unit was passed, which describe in detail the unit(s) studied at another institution that are being used to apply for credit recognition.

3.2.3 For non-formal learning

1. a certified copy of a statement of satisfactory completion of the study offered by a professional body, enterprise, or other provider; and
2. a statement of the objectives, learning outcomes, content of the course and of any assessment completed; and
3. details of the contact hours of the course; and
4. information on the course presenter/s and their qualifications.

3.2.4 For informal learning

1. a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of support from an appropriate person/organisation who/which can verify relevant details;
2. certificates, reports, testimonials or affidavits relating to the applicant’s learning, skill or competency;
3. certified supporting statements from employers;
4. if the applicant has been self-employed, a copy of the ABN registration and a letter from an accountant or solicitor certifying the nature of the business and the period during which the applicant has been engaged in the business;
5. examples of the student’s work drawn from the workplace, social, community or other settings in which the student applies their learning, skill or competency;
6. reflective papers, journals, portfolio or a statement that relate/s the applicant’s prior learning to the learning or competency outcomes for which recognition is sought.

4.1. Admissions section will match domestic applicants who apply directly to ACU with any relevant articulation agreement and will apply the agreed credit at the point of offer.

4.2 ACU International will apply credit at point of offer for international applicants where there is an established, Faculty approved credit articulation matrix.

4.3 Any variation from an executed articulation agreement or approved Faculty credit articulation matrix will be sent to the relevant RPL Advisor for decision.

5.1 The RPL Advisor will:

1. verify any units claimed to have been completed at ACU on the student system; and
2. undertake an assessment of the application based on the current information provided in regard to the specific professional requirements and learning and competency outcomes needed for credit to be granted for the particular unit or course.

6.1 The RPL Advisor will advise Enrolments, Fees and Scholarships of the decision. EF&S will advise the applicant in writing of the decision and record the decision in the student system.

6.2 Decisions on recognition of non-formal and informal learning must be maintained in School records and notified to the Faculty.