Career changer
RPL assessment
Your skills and experience could count towards an aviation qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) lets you get credit for what you already know, so you can move into aviation sooner without repeating training you’ve already done.
What is RPL?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment of the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through work, life experience or previous study. Rather than starting from scratch, you’re assessed against the units in your chosen qualification, and if your experience meets the requirements, you’re granted credit for them.
RPL is a nationally recognised process, so the outcome carries the same weight as if you had completed the training in a classroom. Your qualification won’t look any different, and you’ll have the confidence of knowing your skills meet the same industry standards as every other graduate.
Who is it for?
RPL could be a good fit if you’ve built up relevant skills in another industry, such as defence, engineering, mechanics, transport or logistics. It’s also worth exploring if you’ve completed training or qualifications that overlap with aviation courses, or if you have hands-on experience you can back up with evidence like references, logbooks or work records. It’s especially valuable for career changers who want to make the most of what they already know. If you’re ready for a new direction in aviation but don’t want to repeat skills you’ve already mastered, RPL can help you bridge the gap between your current experience and your next role
Why apply for RPL?
The biggest benefit of RPL is time. By getting credit for units you can already demonstrate, you can skip parts of your course and focus only on what you still need to learn. That often means lower study costs too, as you’re not paying to cover ground you’ve already covered on the job. RPL also gives you formal recognition for the experience you’ve worked hard to build, turning years of practical skills into a nationally recognised qualification. And with less time spent in training, you can step into your new aviation career sooner.
Explore RPL by Discipline
Each discipline has its own requirements when it comes to RPL, from the type of evidence you’ll need to how your experience is assessed. Whether you’re coming from the cockpit or the hangar, find out more about RPL for your area of interest and see how your skills could count towards your next qualification.
For licensed pilots, ex-Defence aviators and anyone with flying experience looking for credit towards a qualification.
- Existing licences and ratings
- Logged flight hours
- Military and overseas experience
For engineers, ex-Defence and overseas-trained technicians with hands-on maintenance experience.
- Part 66 licence pathways
- Work experience and logbooks
- Defence and overseas training
Frequently asked questions
How long does the RPL assessment take?
Applications are assessed case by case, and processing times vary depending on:
- whether all necessary supporting documents have been submitted;
- the quality of the documents submitted, so check they are clear and readable before uploading;
- the time taken to perform the required checks against the relevant standard.
Initial RPL Report
Please note that due to high demand, we are currently experiencing longer than usual processing times for Initial RPL assessments. Please allow up to 3 weeks for processing your application.
Final RPL Report
You will receive your Final RPL report within 6-8 weeks of enrolment and provision of certified copies of your supporting evidence. (Certification will be issued within 30 days of your Final RPL report).
All RPL assessments are conducted in accordance with the CASA Part 66 Manual of Standards (2023) and the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015.
Is there a cost for RPL?
Yes, RPL is assessed by qualified assessors, so fees apply. Get in touch with our team for details based on your course.
What does the enrolment fee include?
Initial RPL report
- A report identifying the outstanding theory and practical evidence required to obtain the outcome/qualification sought
- Journal sheets to allow you to complete your practical requirements in the workplace, forms and instructions on how to map your previous practical evidence to the format required, in preparation for assessment (Assessment of this evidence is carried out in step 2 – Final RPL Report)
- An information pack detailing the training options available through Aviation Australia to achieve the qualification/outcome sought
Final RPL report:
- Assessment of your evidence in full (theory verified and mapped practical evidence assessed) and issuance of report confirming all requirements have been met (Regulatory Requirement for CASA outcomes)
- Issue of CASA Form 465, if applicable
- Issue of Certification for Qualification
What if I have outstanding evidence?
If, on application, the gap requirements identified in your initial RPL report have not been met, Aviation Australia will contact you by email for the outstanding evidence within 90 days. After that, you may be required to resubmit for the final RPL assessment and to pay additional fees.
I hold qualifications from another industry sector, am I able to utilise these for RPL against the regulatory basic knowledge examinations?
No. RPL credit for CASR Part 66 basic knowledge (the modular exams) can only be given if a candidate has CAR 31 CASA Basic and/or EASA/CASR Part 66 exam credits from a Part 147 MTO, and they are not over 10 years old at the point of certification/application for a licence.
However, we may be able to use your qualifications and experience to give RPL against the practical units of competency from within the chosen qualification.
How does Aviation Australia certify to CASA?
How does Aviation Australia certify to CASA?
Do I upload my practical work records (JOE/SOE) for the Initial RPL assessment?
No, practical evidence must be mapped as per the instructions provided at the conclusion of the Initial RPL report.
Can someone just take a quick look at my qualifications and experience without me going through the RPL process?
Unfortunately not. Without conducting a full and extensive RPL assessment, we are unable to give advice on individual circumstance.
Can I use EASA Part 66 examination credits towards a CASR Part 66 licence?
Yes, as long as they are not over 10 years old at the point of certification/application for a licence.
Can Aviation Australia RPL an aircraft type?
No, we are not approved to conduct RPL on type.
Can Aviation Australia convert my foreign AME licence to a CASR Part 66 licence?
In some instances yes; in accordance with our CASR Part 147 MTO Certificate of Approval we are approved to conduct RPL from certain licences. Anything outside of this then the full regulatory requirements apply – please see the CASR Part 66 Manual of Standards (66.A.25) for more information as well as our Foreign Licence Conversion Information document.
Can Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians be given credit against certain licences or modules?
Credits for Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians against CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modules
No, unfortunately not. RPL credit for CASR Part 66 basic knowledge (the modular exams) can only be given if a candidate has CAR 31 CASA Basic and/or EASA/CASR Part 66 exam credits from a Part 147 MTO and they are not over 10 years old at the point of certification/application for licence.
Credits for Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians against CASR Part 66 B1 or B2 Licence
Yes, subject to provision of evidence as part of the RPL assessment.
