During November 2024, I will be presenting a webinar titled, ‘An RPL guide for updating from TAE40116 to TAE40122‘. The webinar will cover a 5-step process:
- Step 1 Select elective units
- Step 2 Determine evidence required and identify evidence that can be gathered
- Step 3 Shop around for an RTO
- Step 4 Contact the preferred RTO and discuss acceptable evidence with the RPL assessor
- Step 5 Apply for RPL and follow RTO’s RPL procedure
This is the third article in a series about updating from the TAE40116 qualification to the TAE40122 qualification.
Step 3. Shop around for an RTO
An RTO can determine its own RPL process and associated fees. It is a good idea to contact a few RTOs and gather information about:
- Cost of the RPL
- Support provided
- Flexibility
- Cost of gap training
Cost of the RPL
The fee charged by RTO for RPL assessment can vary. I just did a quick internet search and found three different RTOs offering RPL at $1,300, $2,100 and $2,400. You may like to check if the RTO you work for is willing to pay for or subsidise your RPL.
Support provided
Cost is one criteria. Other criteria, such as the support provided by the RTO, may be important to you.
- Does the RTO appear to be friendly and supportive?
- What support will the RTO provide during the RPL process?
- How much support will you need?
Another important criteria is the RTO’s willingness to be flexible.
Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the four principles of assessment. Is the RTO willing to be flexible?
- Can you select the elective units that you want?
- Is the RTO willing to recognise parts of a superseded and non-equivalent unit as substantive RPL evidence (therefore, no need to repeat training or assessment for those parts of the unit)?
- Does the RTO willing to adapt or modify there assessment documents used to gather RPL evidence?
Cost of gap training
You may need to do some training to close any gaps. Some people many have a small number of units that can not attained by credit transfer and RPL. Each person applying for RPL will have their own unique circumstances.
- How many units may be potential gaps?
- How much would it costs to do gap training?
Compare RTOs
Shopping around for an RTO could save you money. And you could save time associated with the RPL application and assessment process. The following is a table that can be used to help you gather and compare information about different RTOs.
More tips and strategies shall be presented at the upcoming webinar.
Go to the webinar webpage for further details.
Please contact Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 if you would like more details or if you would like to discuss.
On Target Work Skills 
Hi Alan – shopping for the best RTO. You could also take a look at customer feedback as well I supposes. When I looking at RTOs for my Cert IV WHS I created a table (excel) that had RTOs along the top and the Units of competency down the side. I wanted at first to see what the common units were beyond the core units and how often they occurred in the offerings. On the basis of this it was clear that there was padding going on with the likes of write effectively, give a presentation etc selected by the RTOs. I went with the offering in which every UoC comprised a WHS technical subject. And I am glad I did. best Andrew
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