Frequently Asked Questions

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) recognises the knowledge, skills and competencies you have acquired through formal qualifications and professional practice. At the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), RPL provides two pathways to recognise prior learning - helping adult educators avoid unnecessary duplication of learning, progress more efficiently towards eligible IAL qualifications, and strengthen professional recognition within the Training and Adult Educator Professional Pathway (TAEPP). 

RPL Pathway 1 – Credit Transfer

For graduates of programmes listed in IAL’s Credit Transfer Table who wish to seek credit exemption from the corresponding eligible module (s) of the WSQ ACLP or DDDLP programmes.  

RPL Pathway 2 – Skills Credentialling

For experienced Adult Educators and practitioners who can demonstrate equivalent proficiencies through workplace practice, professional experience and prior learning.

Credit Transfer recognises prior formal learning from programmes that have been evaluated and approved for mapping to eligible IAL modules. Skills Credentialling recognises demonstrated proficiency through evidence of professional practice and assessment. 

No. With effect from 1 April 2026, the total credit exemption granted through RPL is capped at 50% of an eligible programme. The cap applies whether recognition is obtained through Credit Transfer, Skills Credentialling, or a combination of both. Applicants must complete the remaining programme requirements with IAL to attain the full qualification. 

No. Skills Badges are awarded based on demonstrated professional practice and assessment. Programme completion alone does not automatically result in the award of a Skills Badge. 

A Skills Badge recognises demonstrated proficiency in a specific area of TAE practice. A Stackable Badge brings together selected Skills Badges into a defined form of broader role-based or professional recognition, where applicable. 

No. Only specified combinations of Skills Badges contribute towards a particular Stackable Badge. The required combination depends on the requirements of that credential. Refer to our webpage for the latest information on available Stackable Badges. 

You may apply for more than one Skills Badge where the badges are open for application and you meet the relevant entry and evidence requirements. Each badge is assessed on its own merit and the applicable fees are charged separately. Refer to the Skills Badge webpage for more information.  

Applicants should prepare authentic evidence of professional practice that is relevant to the Skills Badge requirements. This may include workplace artefacts, completed assessment forms, portfolio evidence and other supporting materials specified for the badge. Refer to the Skills Badge webpage for more information. 

The interview allows the assessor to validate the authenticity of your evidence, clarify gaps and understand the reasoning behind your professional practice. This helps ensure that the credential reflects demonstrated proficiency rather than evidence submission alone. 

The overall process typically takes approximately 2 to 2.5 months, depending on the assessment route selected, the completeness of the submission and whether additional evidence or clarification is required. 

After successful completion of the Stage 2 Assessment Interview, applicants will generally be notified of the assessment outcome within 3-4 weeks. Applicants should follow the instructions provided by IAL to acknowledge the outcome. 

Skills Badges have a validity period of five years from the date of award. 

No. Credit exemption applies only to selected Skills Badges linked to eligible IAL WSQ modules and is subject to prevailing programme requirements and the overall 50% RPL cap policy. Refer to the Skills Badge webpage for more information. 

The Accelerated Industry-centric Training Pathway (AITP) Role Badge is the current Stackable Badge offering under Skills Credentialling. It recognises demonstrated capability across key Adult Educator functions within an industry context. 

Yes. AITP Role Badge applicants are required to submit the prescribed Endorsement of Practice form as part of the application. 

Holders of the AITP Role Badge meet the entry criteria for TAEPP Level 1 - Sector Professionals, subject to prevailing TAEPP requirements. 

IAL may introduce additional Stackable Badges in future. Refer to our webpage for the latest information on available Stackable Badges. 

The AI-assisted route uses an AI-assisted system to support an initial review of the application and supporting evidence against the assessment rubrics, helping to identify gaps or areas requiring clarification. The non-AI-assisted route involves a fully manual review by an assessor. Both routes follow the same assessment standards, criteria and quality assurance requirements. 

No. The AI system does not determine the final assessment result. All final assessment decisions are made by qualified human assessors. 

No. Under the stated AI-assisted process, application data is not used to train the AI system. 

Application data is securely processed for the Skills Credentialling assessment and is purged after the process, in accordance with the stated process requirements. The system has also undergone security and penetration testing as part of its implementation. 

Availability varies by Skills Badge. AI-assisted and non-AI-assisted routes are available for selected badges and may be introduced at different times. Please refer to the Skills Badges webpage for the latest application pathways available for each badge.