Recognition of Prior Learning

Below we answer some of your most common questions when it comes to RPL. If you don't find the information below, simply reach out to us!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an RPL Assessment?

Our RPL process is the most inclusive and thorough aviation maintenance RPL process in Australia. All theory and practical is assessed. The RPL process has been designed to provide minimum cost to the students, while at the same time providing value for money for those students with more complicated RPL evidence.

Our RPL process assesses your previous formal and informal theory, practical, training, and experience against the relevant Australian National Training Package. In the aviation industry, the training packages include:

• Aeroskills Training Package: relevant to those wanting a qualification in aircraft maintenance.
• Aviation Training Package: relevant to those wanting a qualification in aircraft or flight support.

In addition to the national training packages, our RPL process can also assess against the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Part 66 Manual of Standards syllabus. To obtain an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence your evidence must cover all relevant modules from this syllabus. You must also have theory results of 75 percent or higher and all examinations must have been completed within 10 years of applying for a CASA Part 66 licence.

The duration of an RPL process depends on many factors including the qualification required and the type and amount of your evidence. A typical RPL will take between 2 and 8 weeks.

Prior to carrying out the RPL process, our assessors need to determine whether a full RPL process is required. In some cases, for example if you already hold a Diploma in Aeroskills and are wanting to have exclusions removed from your licence, a full RPL is not required. In this case we would only be required to carry out a gap analysis to determine the training required for the exclusion removal. If, however, you obtained your licence by sitting CASA basics exams or CAR31 exams, these need to be mapped against the new CASA syllabus, and the full RPL process is required.

An assessment for the recognition of prior learning will compare your evidence with the requirements of a specific qualification. You must nominate this qualification on the RPL/Credit Transfer Determination form. All evidence acquired prior to the date of your RPL application may be submitted for assessment. If you are currently completing an Industry Log that has not been assessed, the portion completed before the date of your RPL application may be submitted as evidence. The portion not completed before the date of your RPL application cannot be submitted but may be submitted during your gap training.

Items or processes that are covered in our RPL application fee:
• Processing of the RPL Application;
• Discussion with your ATS RPL Assessor(s);
• Assessment of your theory component;
• Assessment of your practical evidence;
• Issuing of draft and final RPL Reports;
• Issuing of a qualification or CASA 465 Form (if applicable);
• Issuing of a Gap Training Plan and Quote (where applicable);

Items or processes that are not covered in our RPL application fee:
• Assessments to confirm your skills, knowledge or English language level (unless otherwise stated)
• Re-issue of reports or statements
• Assessment of additional evidence once a final RPL report has been issued
• Gap training and assessment.

Please Note: The RPL process DOES NOT mean you will obtain the nominated qualification at the end of the RPL assessment. Most people are required to enrol in a course to remove the identified training or experience gap after the conclusion of the RPL process.

The practical evidence you submit is determined by the competency units you wish to obtain. Each competency unit focuses on one or more aspects of aircraft maintenance. The most common of these, with a brief explanation of each, are listed below.

  1. Inspect – Visually and physically check an aircraft or component for signs of deformation, defects or damage and assess the damage or defect against standard damage or wear limits to determine the required actions. [example: MEASTR0001 – Inspect aircraft structures].
  2. Test – Applying power to an aircraft or component and performing functional tests to identify any malfunctions. The use of appropriate test equipment, system test functions and status displays are used as applicable. [example: MEA322 – Test and Troubleshoot gas turbine engine systems and components].
  3. Troubleshoot – Use inspections and testing results, as well as maintenance documents to determine the faults in the aircraft, aircraft system or component. Fault diagnosis guides, logic processes, and specialist advice may also be used to determine the fault. [example: MEA227 – Test and troubleshoot aircraft electrical systems and components].
  4. Inspect, test and troubleshoot – The evidence for a competency unit that specifies inspect, test and troubleshoot must contain all three elements. If, for example, the competency unit requirement is three examples, the evidence needs to contain three instances of inspection, testing and troubleshooting (3 x inspect, 3 x test, 3 x troubleshooting).
  5. Remove and install – The evidence for a competency unit that specifies remove and install must contain both elements. If, for example, the competency unit requirement is three examples, the evidence needs to contain three instances of removal and installation (3 x removal, 3 x installation).
  6. Maintain – Cleaning, inspection for wear or damage, lubrication and adjustment where applicable. [example: MEA328 – Maintain or repair aircraft mechanical components or parts].
  7. Repair – Standard techniques for replacement of components such as bearings, rods, pulleys, bushes, rafts, seat restraints, etc. Repairing does not include the replacement of major components such as wing spars or fuselage frames. It can however include metal scab and other patches on non-pressurised aircraft, removing corrosion, restoring protective coatings, minor upholstery mending, soldering cables, and other activities associated with standard repair methods [example: MEA246 Fabricate or repair aircraft electrical hardware or parts].

Note – If a competency unit requires multiple practical evidence types (for example, remove and install) then evidence for each type must be provided in the quantity stated.

Practical evidence must be submitted on an ATS Self-Assessment form (see Stage 2 in the next section for full details).

After the completion of your RPL assessment you may want to continue your studies with us and complete any gap training identified by your RPL Report. To do this, apply to us for enrolment into the relevant course. You will receive academic credits according to your RPL Report.

The gap training is NOT part of the RPL process and a quote for the gap training will be provided with your final RPL Report.

Below are some examples of typical RPLs for a Diploma of Aeroskills (B1 or B2 CASA Licence). If your situation does not fall into any of these categories and you still have questions, please contact us for further information.

Example – Certificate IV from a non-MTO

Kim is working as an AME for a leading airline and holds a Certificate IV in Aeroskills from a local college. Kim submits the following information:

  • Certificate IV in Aeroskills
  • Academic transcript showing the modules studied and the units of competency achieved.

Since Kim’s qualification was obtained from a non-CASA MTO its relationship to the CASA syllabus cannot be automatically determined. Therefore, Kim will be required to complete theory examinations according to the CASA syllabus. This may also have applied if Kim had obtained her Certificate IV from a MTO but the transcript did not show the actual marks for each module, the CASA modules achieved, or the dates of examinations.

Kim will automatically have the practical component of her units of competency credited to her RPL.

Example – Military Evidence

Shannon has been in the military for 10 years and is about to leave. Shannon has only ever worked for the ADF and provided the following evidence:

  • Certificate IV in Aeroskills
  • Academic transcript issued by the ADF for the Certificate IV in Aeroskills showing the units of competencies achieved
  • ADF Statement of Achievement showing actual module marks, all over 75%
  • ADF work history and authorisations.

Shannon’s evidence will be assessed against the civilian Diploma in Aeroskills, and the following credits may be given:

  • Units of competency appearing on the Certificate IV in Aeroskills or their diploma equivalent
  • Practical components of the relevant diploma core units of competency for civilian recognised aircraft experience (CASA does not recognise military only aircraft)
  • Partial credit for ranks of Petty Officer (or equivalent) or higher for some core diploma units
  • Partial credits for ADF authorisations (where applicable)
  • Credits for ADF work history (where applicable).

NOTE: CASA DOES NOT currently recognise ADF theory training towards a CASA licence.

The RPL Report shows Shannon needs to complete all relevant CASA modules before being issued with a Diploma of Aeroskills.

What are the stages in the RPL Process?

Stage 1 - Initial RPL/Credit Transfer Determination

When you first enquire about RPL, the administration team will send you an RPL/Credit Determination form. This allows our assessors to review what qualification you want to achieve, and what evidence you can provide. This will incur a $300 fee which, once paid, will start the process where the assessors will look at the information you have provided and determine if a credit transfer and gap analysis can be carried out, or if the RPL process is required. This $300 fee is credited against the cost of the gap analysis or RPL process.

The cost for a gap analysis and credit transfer is $700 ($300 initial fee credited – balance to pay of $400 if proceeding). This option is normally for people who already hold Units of Competency e.g. a Diploma or Cert IV in Aeroskills and want to fill gaps to remove exclusions.

The cost for RPL is $1700 ($300 initial fee credited – balance to pay $1400 which is due at the onset of the process and must be paid before any RPL is completed). This fee covers your assessor’s mapping of your current qualifications and experience against the qualification you want to achieve.

Once our assessors have determined which process is required, we will inform you via email. You may then decide to proceed with RPL/Gap analysis. Attached to your email will be an RPL application form and an enrolment form, both of which need to be filled and returned.

The Application pack will contain the following documents:

  • Form E1025 Enrolment Application
  • Form E1020 Application for LNA RPL RCC

All documents must be complete in full. Failure to complete any part of the forms will result in a longer processing time.

Please note: On page 4 of form E1020 Application for LNA RPL RCC you are asked the following question.

What is the name of this qualification?
Please tick the qualification that you are hoping to achieve through the RPL process. Do not tick your current qualification unless you are simply updating your current qualification. Once you have completed the forms, return them to us and we will raise an invoice for payment. Also include your evidence with your application.

When applying for an RPL, all your evidence must be relevant to the qualification against which your RPL will be assessed.

For an Aeroskills qualification the following information should be submitted where applicable (Australian gained evidence only):

  • All CASA Basic examination results regardless of your required licence category.
  • All CASA maintenance licences.
  • Academic transcripts relating to any Aeroskills or aircraft training. The transcripts should show the modules studied and the mark you achieved. They should also indicate the units of competency achieved (in full or part).
  • Certificates associated with the academic transcripts stated above.
  • Any previous RPL Reports from any Australian aviation organisation.
  • Workplace performance reports, duty statements and current letters of employment.
  • Syllabi for any non-Aeroskills or non-Aviation training package qualifications if you are submitting that qualification as evidence.

Australian Military evidence should include the following:

  • Any or all of the above evidence.
  • Your ADF Statement of Achievement indicating the marks you received in each module.
  • Your Qualifications and Authorisations statement(s).

Non-Australian evidence should include the following:

  • Any or all of the relevant evidence stated above.
  • All non-Australian aviation maintenance engineer licences.
  • All aviation maintenance engineering (AME) academic transcripts and certificates you gained as part of achieving your AME licence, including any FAA and EASA results (if applicable).
  • A letter of employment from each place you worked as an AME or licences AME within the last 10 years (where applicable), including duty statements. This is particularly importance if you are using an FAA or EASA licence as your primary evidence.

Please note: A letter of employment is NOT a character reference. It must clearly state your job title, duties and responsibilities.

Please Note: CASA Recognition Regulations

  1. The practical component of any unit of competency is acceptable by CASA towards a relevant CASA qualification.
  2. The theory component of any unit of competency will ONLY be accepted by CASA if the training for that unit was undertaken through a CASA authorised Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO) or has been assessed equivalent through RPL by an MTO. Not all training institutions are CASA

Practical Evidence:

Practical evidence consists of actual maintenance logs, SOE, task cards, industry journal/log, and other workplace documentation. Practical evidence DOES NOT include general duty statements, employment history, units of competency, academic certificates or diplomas, or other non-work specific documents.

Your practical evidence for an RPL can only be submitted in one of the following forms.

  • An ATS Self-Assessment form (see below).
  • A Log of Industry Experience and Achievement mapped to the relevant Aeroskills Units of Competency.
  • An official transcript from an Australian MTO or RTO indicating your practical has been assessed against the required Units of Competency.

More information regarding suitable theory evidence can be found in our form E1020 in your application pack.

The initial processing of your evidence covers the following actions:

  • Documenting all your evidence.
  • Identifying any gaps in your evidence.
  • Identifying any inconsistencies within your evidence.
  • Identifying any automatic credits possible from your evidence.

If any gaps or inconsistencies are identified in your evidence, you will be contacted by your assessors to provide further evidence to address the identified issues. Stage 4 may be actioned several times until all your relevant evidence has been submitted, or the assessor believes further evidence is not required.

Please note: CASA has time limits on theory and practical training. If your theory or practical evidence is greater than ten years old, please discuss this issue with your RPL assessor.

Once the initial assessment stage is completed you will have the opportunity to submit practical evidence. You will be issued a Self-Assessment form relevant to the units of competency required for your RPL. Practical evidence will only be accepted if correctly compiled in an ATS Self-Assessment form or as stated in Stage 2 above. It is very important the form is completed exactly according to the instructions. The form has been designed to ensure practical evidence is assessed in the quickest possible time.

Self-Assessment forms incorrectly completed will be returned for correction.

Once the Self-Assessment form is completed, submit it and the accompanying practical evidence to ATS Administration.

Please Note: CASA requires you to provide evidence that you have worked in the aviation industry as an aircraft maintainer for at least four (4) years, of which 12 months experience must be gained immediately prior to your licence application (MOS 66.A.30).

Please Note: Submit COPIES ONLY as RPL evidence will NOT be returned. Further, all RPL evidence must be certified by a suitable person (e.g JP). Contact us for further details of acceptable certifiers.

Please Note: If original documents are submitted and you want them returned, a fee will be incurred. The fee includes the cost of scanning (photocopying) all documents, an administration charge and the cost of return registered postage to your location.

Once your theory and practical evidence has been assessed you will receive an RPL Report. You will have seven days to contact us and comment on the report or indicate that you wish to submit further evidence. After this period, if no further evidence is submitted, your RPL will be finalised.

Note – Your final report will NOT be issued until all outstanding fees and charges have been fully paid.

Your final RPL Report will be issued digitally, accompanied by a training plan for any gap training identified during the RPL process. If you have obtained a full qualification as a result of the RPL process, you will also receive the relevant certificate or diploma. For CASA recognised Diplomas or Exclusion Removals, you will also receive your CASA 465 form.

Please Note: Any changes you request after the issue of your final RPL Report will incur further charges.