RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is a fast-track option for experienced building and construction workers to get qualified without sitting in a classroom.
RPL allows experienced workers to turn their on-the-job knowledge into nationally recognised qualifications — saving you time, money, and helping you meet licensing requirements faster.
At Builders Institute, we offer RPL assessments for key construction qualifications such as:
- CPC40120 – Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
- CPC50220 – Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
🔎 What Is RPL in Construction?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that gives you credit for skills you’ve already gained through:
- Paid work
- Informal learning
- On-site experience
- Running your own projects or business
If your experience aligns with a qualification’s units of competency, you may be awarded the qualification in full or in part, based on what you can demonstrate.
👷 Who Should Apply for RPL?
RPL is ideal for:
- Tradies with 2+ years of site experience
- Forepersons, subcontractors, or project managers
- Owner-builders or business operators
- Construction workers looking to apply for a licence
- Anyone who wants to get recognised for their experience
📋 The RPL Process (Step-by-Step)
- Free Consultation
We assess your experience and let you know whether you’re eligible for RPL.
- Evidence Collection
You’ll provide supporting documents such as:
- Work history and resume
- Project photos or videos
- Site safety documentation (SWMS, WHS plans)
- Invoices, contracts, or reports
- Certificates and tickets
- References or third-party verifications
- Assessment
An experienced assessor will assess your evidence to the units in the qualification.
- Outcome
You’ll either:
- Receive full RPL (and be awarded the qualification), or
- Be granted partial RPL, and offered gap training for the remaining units.
What Happens If You Don’t Qualify for All Units?
No worries — many applicants are only granted RPL for some of the units in a qualification.
When this happens, you’ll be awarded a partial RPL outcome. This means:
- You receive credit for the units you’re competent in
- You complete gap training for the remaining units
Gap training is flexible and focused — often completed through:
- Online learning
- Short assessments
- Project-based tasks
This option is faster and more affordable than starting the full course from scratch.
Example Scenario: Partial RPL Outcome
A construction worker with over 6 years of industry experience applies for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the Certificate IV in Building and Construction.
During the assessment:
- They are granted RPL for 11 out of 19 units, based on strong evidence such as job contracts, project photos, WHS documentation, and supervisor references.
- However, 8 units — particularly those related to legal compliance, budgeting, and construction planning — lack sufficient evidence or relevant experience.
Instead of restarting the course from scratch, they choose to:
- Keep the 11 units they’ve been recognised for through RPL
- Complete gap training for the remaining 8 units through a flexible study plan, including online modules and targeted assessments
In the end, they complete the full qualification faster and more affordably, with recognition for their existing skills and focused training only in the areas where it was needed.
💡 Why Choose RPL?
✅ Get qualified faster – skip the content you already know
✅ Save money – you don’t pay for full-course delivery
✅ Flexible training – only complete what you need
✅ Nationally recognised qualifications – great for licence applications
✅ Professional support – we guide you through the whole process
How Much Does RPL Cost?
The cost of RPL depends on:
- The qualification
- How many units you’re eligible for
- Whether you need gap training
💳 Payment plans are available, and we offer competitive pricing to make it more accessible.
📞 Ready to Turn Your Experience Into a Qualification?
At Builders Institute, we specialise in helping construction professionals get nationally recognised through RPL for building and construction qualifications.
We’ll help you gather evidence, guide you through any gap training, and support you until your certificate is in hand.
👉 Call us today: 1300 119 571
👉 Email: in**@****du.au
👉 Website: www.bi.edu.au
🏁 Don’t Let Your Experience Go Unrecognised!
You’ve put in the hours. Now it’s time to get the qualification to back it up.
With Builders Institute, you can turn your real-world experience into a nationally recognised certification — and move your career forward faster.
