RTO#41192

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process that assesses your competency – acquired through prior formal and informal learning – to determine if you meet the requirements for a unit of competency in a qualification.

If you already have extensive Auslan knowledge and skills and want to have this formally recognised under an Auslan qualification, you will need to apply for RPL.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

CURRENT APPLICATION STATUS

2025 applications are

OPEN

APPLICATION PERIODS

RPL applications only open twice per year (in May and November) for a full month.

NEXT APPLICATION INTAKE

November-December 2024.

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KEY INFORMATION

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About RPL

Each Auslan qualification is made up of one (1) Auslan Language unit and two (2) or three (3) Theory units of competency.

It is sometimes possible to receive RPL for the Auslan Language unit (shown in green above) because many people have learnt Auslan from family, friends and the community. To be awarded RPL for a Language unit, you will need to complete specific tasks to formally gather specific evidence of your Auslan language skills.

For the Theory units, these are almost always new and therefore RPL cannot be received. This means that you will need to dedicate time to study these units and complete assessment tasks related to the units.

To receive the highest Auslan qualification – the Diploma of Auslan – you must complete each qualification individually starting from units that are in the Certificate II, then the Certificate III, the Certificate IV and finally the Diploma of Auslan. This is thirteen (13) units in total.

RPL Application Process

Submit an online RPL Application Form during the set RPL Application Dates (as provided at the bottom of this page). We will then contact you with further information.
As part of the application process, you will be asked by the team to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Test to assess your skills. For students in SA only, this is a supervised face-to-face test that is run on specific dates (date options will be available on the RPL Application Form). For students in all other states, this will be an online quiz that is emailed to you.
Complete our Self-Assessment. We use this to determine your eligibility for one of the RPL Study Pathways. The Self-Assessment involves the following activities: An 'About you' quiz to understand your experience with Auslan, Comprehension tasks organised by qualification level, Signing tasks organised by qualification level and for which you will need to record a video of yourself and upload it. Please note: these activities are completed on Moodle, our online learning platform. You will be sent Moodle login details and an Instruction email on how to access and complete the Self-Assessment. You MUST complete the Self-Assessment by the due date specified in the Instruction email.
An Assessor will email you Our Recommendation for RPL eligibility and which Study Pathway is suitable for you. This can take up to two (2) weeks from the Self-Assessment due date. If you are not eligible for RPL, you will be advised to enrol directly into a traditional class instead. More information is available on our Qualifications in Auslan page. Please note: Our Recommendation does NOT guarantee that you will be successful to complete a RPL Course or Study Pathway if you decide to proceed with a Formal Enrolment into an RPL course.
You need to advise us in writing that you want to proceed with Our Recommendation. The information and documentation from your initial RPL Application Form (in Step 1) will be used to enrol you into the appropriate qualification as per the RPL Study Pathway suitable to you. Please note: For most students, this means you will be enrolled in the 'PSP20218 - Certificate II in Auslan' course to start with.
You will be given access to the appropriate units in the RPL course on Moodle. Evidence Collection for the Language unit: you will need to collect specific evidence to demonstrate you have required Auslan skills for the qualification level you are completing through RPL. Assessment Tasks for the Theory units: you will need to complete all the Assessment Tasks associated with the Theory units as per your Assessment Schedule. All assessment instructions are available on Moodle.

RPL Study Pathways

Most people who apply for RPL use it to enter a traditional Auslan qualification (weekly classes with a trainer and classmates) for a future enrolment opening period.

We offer three (3) RPL Study Pathways depending on your level as determined in Our Recommendation. Each pathway is made up of multiple steps, with different units of competency you will be required to complete as per a set Assessment Schedule.

Option 1: Entry to PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL

Option 2: Entry to PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan via Certificate IV RPL

Option 3: Entry to PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan (RPL only)

Auslan Experience

As a general guide, people suitable for RPL are those who have spent several hundreds of hours using Auslan, with a significant number of those hours being within the last few years.

If you have just completed a few community courses (e.g. Sign Online, Sign Language 1, Sign Language 2), then you have only completed about 30 hours of signing.

This is NOT a sufficient amount of learning and experience to be considered for RPL and you will not be successful in the RPL process.

Material & Equipment

You need to have access to the following:

Laptop or desktop computer with reliable internet connection
Filming device (webcam, handheld camera or smartphone)
Word processing and presentation software(s) to make presentations or complete your assessments (Microsoft Word or Google Docs and Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides)
PDF reader (download PDF reader for free)
Access to Zoom
Access to Moodle – instructions will be provided prior to the commencement of the course
Access to printer and scanner – If you are not familiar with document editing
Pen and notepad

Note: Our Learning Management System (Moodle) is not easily accessible from smart phones or tablets and is best accessed on a laptop or desktop computer. Due to the way our courses are structured, the Moodle App for either Apple or Android is NOT SUITABLE for studying Deaf Connect courses. You are at risk of not seeing all learning materials in full when attempting to access them via a mobile phone or tablet.

Communication with Deaf Connect

Email is the primary means by which we will contact you about your course, e.g. to confirm a course once minimum enrolment numbers are achieved, or cancel if we do not receive enough enrolments.

Please ensure you enter your email address correctly at the time of enrolment.
Please also monitor your Junk folder for emails from Deaf Connect. If you do not receive an email about your course by at least the day before the scheduled start date, please contact us.

Australian Capital Territory

Regardless of the Study Pathway you are eligible for, your Formal Enrolment will commence from the Certificate II in Auslan level. From there, you will progress through the qualification levels in order.

You will be invoiced the below fees for each qualification level before being granted access to the Theory units associated with that level.

For example, if your Study Pathway is to enter PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL (Option 1 above), you will be invoiced the RPL fees for PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan and PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan.

Government funding is available in certain states for students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Funding: Subsidised training may be available for Semester 1, 2025 under Skilled Capital*. Skilled Capital is an ACT Government funded training initiative.
Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2024 and Semester 1, 2025:
- PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $190 (non-concessional fee) or $95 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $650 (non-concessional fee) or $325 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $570 (non-concessional fee) or $285 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $1,210 (non-concessional fee) or $605 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
Eligibility: You can check your eligibility** by using the Skilled Capital Eligibility Calculater locate on the Skills Canberra home page.

*Note: There is only a limited number of places available for subsidised training under Skilled Capital in Semester 2, 2024. Subsidised places will be offered to students who submit their complete Application Form and submit their written advice for Formal Enrolment on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the number of subsidised places is exhausted or where a student’s enrolment is confirmed after 30 June 2024, the Fee For Service rate will apply.

**Note: The minimum age for students to enrol in the Australian Capital Territory is 17 years of age.

Please read our Fees and Refunds Policy here or in the Student Handbook.

CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

New South Wales

Regardless of the Study Pathway you are eligible for, your Formal Enrolment will commence from the Certificate II in Auslan level. From there, you will progress through the qualification levels in order.

You will be invoiced the below fees for each qualification level before being granted access to the Theory units associated with that level.

For example, if your Study Pathway is to enter PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL (Option 1 above), you will be invoiced the RPL fees for PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan and PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan.

Government funding is available in certain states for students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Funding: This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
Subsidised fee* for Semester 2, 2024 – these are subject to change**:
- PSPS20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $0 for eligible students.
- PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $0 for eligible students.
- PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $2,310 (non-concessional fee) or $240 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $2,850 (non-concessional fee) for eligible students.
Subsidised fee* for Semester 1, 2025 – these are subject to change**:
- PSPS20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $0 for eligible students.
- PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $0 for eligible students.
- PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $2,310 (non-concessional fee) or $230 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $2,850 (non-concessional fee) for eligible students.
Eligibility: You can check your eligibility here.

*Note: The fees advertised above are set by Smart and Skilled as the “Second or Further Qualification” fees. A deduction will be applied in order to account for the units of competency you will be credited from previous qualifications. Your final fee will be communicated to you upon Formal Enrolment.

**Note: Depending on your previous qualifications and personal circumstances, your fee may also be different to the fee shown above.

Please read our Fees and Refunds Policy here or in the Student Handbook.

CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

Queensland

Regardless of the Study Pathway you are eligible for, your Formal Enrolment will commence from the Certificate II in Auslan level. From there, you will progress through the qualification levels in order.

You will be invoiced the below fees for each qualification level before being granted access to the Theory units associated with that level.

For example, if your Study Pathway is to enter PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL (Option 1 above), you will be invoiced the RPL fees for PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan and PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan.

Government funding is available in certain states for students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Funding: This training is subsidised by the Queensland Government under the Certificate 3 Guarantee program. (Certificates II and III) or the Higher Level Skills program (Certificate IV and Diploma).
Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2024:
- PSPS20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $190 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $95 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
- PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $650 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $325 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
- PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $570 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $285 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
- PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $1,210 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $605 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
Subsidised fee for Semester 1, 2025:
- PSPS20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $95 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $95 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
- PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $325 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $325 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
- PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $285 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $285 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
- PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $605 (non-concessional co-contribution fee) or $605 (concessional co-contribution fee) for eligible students.
Eligibility: You can check your eligibility here*.

For a breakdown of the fees at a unit of competency level, see the Program Factsheet relevant to your course of choice. Deaf Connect will send you a first invoice upon enrolment for the unit(s) of competency being delivered during the course.

*Note: Under the Queensland VET Investment Program Priority Skills List, Deaf Connect has an exemption for this course that allows students who hold a certificate III or higher level qualification to still be considered for funding eligibility, as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria.

Please read our Fees and Refunds Policy here or in the Student Handbook.

CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

South Australia

Regardless of the Study Pathway you are eligible for, your Formal Enrolment will commence from the Certificate II in Auslan level. From there, you will progress through the qualification levels in order.

You will be invoiced the below fees for each qualification level before being granted access to the Theory units associated with that level.

For example, if your Study Pathway is to enter PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL (Option 1 above), you will be invoiced the RPL fees for PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan and PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan.

Government funding is available in certain states for students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Funding: This training is supported through WorkReady by the Government of South Australia*.
Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2024 and Semester 1, 2025:
- PSPS20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $190 (non-concessional fee) or $95 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $650 (non-concessional fee) or $325 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $570 (non-concessional fee) or $285 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
- PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $1,210 (non-concessional fee) or $605 (concessional fee) for eligible students.
Eligibility: Visit www.skills.sa.gov.au for Participant Eligibility Criteria.

*Note: The minimum age for students to enrol in South Australia is 16 years of age.

Please read our Fees and Refunds Policy here or in the Student Handbook.

CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

Western Australia

Regardless of the Study Pathway you are eligible for, your Formal Enrolment will commence from the Certificate II in Auslan level. From there, you will progress through the qualification levels in order.

You will be invoiced the below fees for each qualification level before being granted access to the Theory units associated with that level.

For example, if your Study Pathway is to enter PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL (Option 1 above), you will be invoiced the RPL fees for PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan and PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan.

Government funding is available in certain states for students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Funding: This training is publicly funded by the Government of Western Australia (Department of Training and Workforce Development) under the Priority Industry Training and Participation – Work Readiness programs.
Subsidised fee for Semester 2, 2024 and Semester 1, 2025*:
- PSPS20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $28.35 (non-concessional and concessional student tuition fee) for eligible students.
- PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $29.40 (non-concessional and concessional student tuition fee) for eligible students.
- PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $23.10 (non-concessional and concessional student tuition fee) for eligible students.
- PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $234.90 (non-concessional tuition fee) or $69.60 (concessional tuition fee) for eligible students.
Eligibility: You must meet the following eligibility criteria to access publicly funded training:
- Priority Industry Training: be working 20 hours or more a week with a single or multiple employers.
- Participation – Work Readiness: be unemployed or under-employed and working less than 20 hours a week with a single or across multiple employers.

For more information, please visit the Jobs and Skills WA website.

For a breakdown of the fees at a unit of competency level, see the Program Factsheet relevant to your course of choice. Deaf Connect will send you an invoice at the commencement of each unit of competency.

*Note: The Student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as resource fees and other fees.

Please read our Fees and Refunds Policy here or in the Student Handbook.

CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

Other States

Regardless of the Study Pathway you are eligible for, your Formal Enrolment will commence from the Certificate II in Auslan level. From there, you will progress through the qualification levels in order.

You will be invoiced the below fees for each qualification level before being granted access to the Theory units associated with that level.

For example, if your Study Pathway is to enter PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL (Option 1 above), you will be invoiced the RPL fees for PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan and PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan.

PSP20218 – Certificate II in Auslan RPL = $1,510.
PSP30218 – Certificate III in Auslan RPL = $1,925.
PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan RPL = $1,925.
PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan RPL = $3,120.
Deaf Connect does not provide subsidised training for students from other states. If you are from another state or territory and wish to enrol, you will need to pay the full fee of the course.
If you are from one of the above-listed states but are not eligible for funding and wish to enrol, you will also need to pay the full fee of the course.

Please read our Fees and Refunds Policy here or in the Student Handbook.

CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.

Course Guides, Program Factsheets and Student Handbook

For detailed information about an RPL Course, you can access the Course Guide appropriate to your Study Pathway (based on its commencement) below:

Option 1: Entry to PSP40818 – Certificate IV in Auslan via Certificate III RPL

Option 2: Entry to PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan via Certificate IV RPL

Option 3: Entry to PSP51018 – Diploma of Auslan (RPL only)

You can access the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy here or in the Student Handbook. The Student Handbook contains information about Deaf Connect’s obligations towards our students, information about students’ rights and obligations towards Deaf Connect, as well as links to other relevant policies.

You are required to read and understand our Student Handbook prior to formally enrolling into an RPL Course.

The Program Factsheets for the Semester 2, 2024 RPL courses can still be accessed through the Semester 2, 2024 Course Guides.

Application Documents

Funding Eligibility Evidence

In order for Deaf Connect to assess your funding eligibility, you will need to provide some evidence along with your Enrolment Form.

Proof of ID in the form of one of the following:

Australian or New Zealand Birth Certificate
Australian or New Zealand Passport
Green Medicare card
Naturalisation Certificate
Humanitarian VISA
Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status (Permanent Resident).

Proof of residency or employment in the form of one of the following:

Current driver’s license
Health Care card or Pension card
Proof of Age card
Letter or email form employer to show the street address where you are working
Electricity, gas or telephone account issued the last six (6) months (in QLD) or in the last three (3) months (in ACT). Utility bills are not acceptable as proof of residency in any other states.

If relevant, proof of disability in the form of one of the following:

Disability Support Pension card
Letter form a medical practitioner
Letter from appropriate government agency
Letter from TAFE NSW Teacher/Consultant for students with a disability
Letter from special education coordinator
Letter from specialised allied health professional.

Note (students in ACT and NSW):
The documents you provide must be a copy of the original which has been sighted and signed by an Approved Witness within the last twelve (12) months. For a list of Approved Witnesses, please visit the Attorney-General’s Department page.

Note (students in NSW):
As part of the enrolment process, you will also need to submit a completed Consent to use and disclosure of personal information form. You can download and complete this form in advance, so you have it ready to be uploaded with your online Enrolment Form.

Note (students in SA):
As part of the enrolment process, you will also need to submit a completed Agreement Form – Collection and Use of Personal Information form. You can download and complete this form in advance, so you have it ready to be uploaded with your online Enrolment Form.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

From 1 January 2015, Deaf Connect can be prevented from issuing you with a nationally recognised VET qualification or statement of attainment when you complete your course if you do not have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
In addition, we are required to include your USI in the data we submit to NCVER. If you have not yet obtained a USI you can apply for it directly at https://www.usi.gov.au/students/create-your-usi/ on computer or mobile device.
You may already have a USI if you have done any nationally recognised training. It is important that you try to find out whether you already have a USI before attempting to create a new one. You should not have more than one USI. To check if you already have a USI, use the ‘Forgotten USI’ link on the USI website at https://www.usi.gov.au/faqs/i-have-forgotten-my-usi/.

UPCOMING RPL APPLICATION DATES

RPL applications only open twice per year (in May and November) for a full month.

The next application opening dates: November 2024 to 1 December 2024.

ACTNSWQLDSAWAOther States

Name	Course Start Date	Course End Date
2025 S1 ACT - Cert II RPL	22/01/2025	30/03/2025	Apply

Name	Course Start Date	Course End Date
2025 S1 NSW - Cert II RPL	22/01/2025	30/03/2025	Apply

Name	Course Start Date	Course End Date
2025 S1 QLD - Cert II RPL	22/01/2025	30/03/2025	Apply

Name	Course Start Date	Course End Date
2025 S1 SA - Cert II RPL	22/01/2025	30/03/2025	Apply

Name	Course Start Date	Course End Date
2025 S1 WA - Cert II RPL	22/01/2025	30/03/2025	Apply

Name	Course Start Date	Course End Date
2025 S1 FFS - Cert II RPL	22/01/2025	30/03/2025	Apply

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RTO#41192

Deaf Connect is the trading name of the Registered Training Organisation of Deaf Services. Qualifications received through DC are recognised by employers and other educational facilities.

RTO#41192

Recognition of Prior Learning

APPLICATION INFORMATION

CURRENT APPLICATION STATUS

APPLICATION PERIODS

NEXT APPLICATION INTAKE

GET APPLICATION ALERTS

KEY INFORMATION

Funding Eligibility Evidence

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

UPCOMING RPL APPLICATION DATES

GET IN TOUCH

RTO#41192

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