Advanced standing

Credit transfer is awarded based on previous relevant studies completed successfully within the past seven years.

To apply for credit transfer, you must complete and submit the advanced standing electronic form, together with relevant supporting documents:

• official Academic Record
• unit outlines* 
• certificates/diplomas.

Please note: if you're seeking credit for units completed at CDU, you don't need to supply the supporting documents listed above.

If you're seeking credit for study completed more than seven years ago, but have relevant professional experience, you should consider applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

*Unit outlines must be specific to the teaching period in which the unit was undertaken and must include: aims/objectives, learning outcomes, assessment items, resources required and institutional identifiers (web links are not accepted, these must be converted to PDF before submission).

Block credit is a pre-approved arrangement detailing a pathway from a specific (completed) VET qualification in to a specific HE course. The amount of block credit granted is determined as part of the arrangement and will be automatically applied when you accept your offer.

Block credit exempts you from completing a group of units – usually specified stages or components – and is recorded as an exemption against each of those units. It does not recognise that you have achieved specified unit learning outcomes but can be used to meet pre-requisite requirements.

RPL is a process of advanced standing where credit is granted based upon the assessment of a student's prior formal, non-formal and informal learning (or a combination thereof) to determine the extent to which the student has achieved the required learning outcomes of a specified unit. 

How to apply

1. Check your course structure in the Course Catalogue
2. Check the unit content and learning outcomes for each unit to determine formal, non-formal and informal learning meets each learning outcome.  
3. To apply for RPL, you must complete and submit the advanced standing electronic form, together with relevant supporting documents*:
   • a statement addressing the unit content and learning outcomes
   • recent resume
   • letter of support from your employer.

*Additional evidence may be requested after the initial assessment by your Course Coordinator.

For further information, contact Student Central.

To complete and graduate a Higher Education course at CDU you must complete a minimum of one third of the course, or a minimum of one-year full-time equivalent, whichever is the lesser.

• Credit from VET to HE can only be counted from a completed VET course.
• Credit transfer is mapped at the unit level.
• The previous study must be relevant to the course and of a similar standard and duration.
• Higher Education credit older than 7 years normally is not eligible for Credit Transfer. In exceptional circumstances, credit older than 7 years may be approved, where the learning is still deemed relevant
• If you're seeking credit for study completed more than seven years ago, but have relevant professional experience, you should consider applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Credit Transfer relates to institutional recognition of any unit of competency or module a student has successfully completed at any other Registered Training Organisation (RTO). CDU as an RTO recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Australian RTO.
Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies at the time of enrolment, to ensure students aren’t enrolling in units they may not need to undertake

To apply for credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, students need to complete an Application for Advanced Standing Form.

The completed Application for Advanced Standing form together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support the request for exemption/credit transfer should be submitted directly to the University. Requests without supporting documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned. There are no fees attached to Credit Transfers.

RPL is the assessment of an individual’s skills and knowledge previously acquired through relevant informal and/or non-formal learning, which may be used to grant credit against the unit or course learning outcomes or competencies, regardless of how and where they were attained, including overseas.
This can include skills from:

Previous study excluding courses at another VET/TAFE institution, but including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work;

Work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and/or

Life experience (for example, leisure pursuits or voluntary work).

RPL is a form of assessment. It is used to determine whether a person has acquired, through formal or informal learning, the skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced, so there are no parameters on how or when the skills are acquired. However, the skills that have been acquired through life experience, etc., must be current and align with the knowledge and performance requirements of the individual unit.

Students seeking RPL need to indicate this on their enrolment form at the time of enrolment.

For further information, please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning or contact VET RPL Enquiries on 1800 238 838 or email vet.rpl.enquiries@cdu.edu.au.