Recognition of Prior Learning

In the 2011-12 Budget the Australian Government announced $9.2 million for a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative to improve the quality and uptake of RPL assessments for early childhood professionals.

The RPL initiative will make it easier for early childhood educators to obtain or upgrade their qualifications to achieve the minimum qualification requirements set out in the National Quality Standard.

The initiative includes:

development of new national assessment tools for Certificate III, Diploma and Advanced Diplomas in Children’s Services
training 600 existing RPL assessors in good practice RPL and the use of the new national RPL assessment tools
RPL Assessment Grants of up to $1125 for rural and remote early childhood educators to contribute to out-of-pocket expenses associated with accessing RPL assessments.

Training of existing RPL assessors in the new national RPL assessment tools is expected to commence in March 2012. RPL assessors will then be able to commence assessing early childhood educators progressively.

Information for Early Childhood Services and Educators

The Government recognises that early childhood educators in rural and remote locations face additional barriers accessing RPL. As such, a RPL Assessment Grants program has been established to provide assistance for existing, experienced early childhood educators in these locations to access RPL assessments and have the opportunity for their skills to be recognised as meeting all or part of the requirements of a formal qualification.

If you would like to know more details regarding: which services are eligible to apply, how to apply for a grant and key dates for applications, visit the Information for early Childhood Services and Educators page.

Information for Registered Training Organisations and RPL assessors

Registered Training Organisations with Children’s Services on their scope of registration are invited to apply to nominate existing RPL assessors to be trained in the new national RPL assessment tools and become DEEWR Registered RPL Assessors.

150 DEEWR Registered RPL Assessors will be selected in 2011-12 and 200 assessors will be selected in 2012-13.

If you would like to know more details regarding: who can apply to become a DEEWR registered RPL Assessor, how to apply to become an assessor, key dates for applications and selection criteria, visit the Information for Registered Training Organisations and RPL Assessors page.

RPL Assessment Grant Guidelines

The Program Guidelines will help early childhood services and educators navigate the grant application process. They provide details of who can apply for funding, what the funding can be used for, how to apply and how the payments will be made.