Provide Supporting Documents

Unless your previous learning was completed at Southern Cross University, you must provide evidence to prove you already have the knowledge and skills to meet the learning outcome requirements of units (subjects) within the course.

The term evidence applies to any supporting documents submitted with an application to verify your prior learning.

Studied VET? Give access to your USI VET Transcript

To access Commonwealth funding (such as HECS-HELP) you need to provide your Unique Student Identifier (USI).

If you have undertaken Vocational Training and Education (VET) with an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as TAFE, you can provide your USI account or VET Transcript to verify your training records for University entry and/or credit.

Actions you can permit include:

You can search for your USI in the USI Student Portal. The PDF VET Transcript can be shared electronically (via email or uploaded with your application). It can also be printed and provided as a hardcopy.

What supporting documents should I provide with my application?

To verify successful completion of an accredited course/qualification, lodge:

  • the Certificate or Testamur; and
  • the Statement of Results or Transcript, including details of the institute marking or grading system.

If a relevant credit precedent is NOT published in the Credit Search and Calculator, you must also provide:

  • a detailed course/qualification outline showing the sequence of (compulsory) and any optional (elective, major or specialisation) units/subjects; and
  • detailed unit/subject outlines that include learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and performance criteria).

To verify successful completion of a non-accredited course, seminar, credential or professional development program, lodge:

  • the Statement of Attendance, Statement of Participation, or Digital Skill Badge.

If a relevant credit arrangement is NOT published in the Credit Search and Calculator, you must also provide:

  • a detailed description of the short course, seminar, credential or program, including the sequence of modules/topics studied; and
  • detailed module/topic outlines that include learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and performance criteria).

To verify partial completion of an accredited course/qualification, lodge:

  • the Statement of Attainment; and
  • the Statement of Results or Transcript, including details of the institute marking or grading system.

If a relevant credit arrangement is NOT published in the Credit Search and Calculator, you must also provide:

  • a detailed description of the course/qualification, including the sequence of core (compulsory) and any optional (elective, major or specialisation) units/subjects; and
  • detailed unit/subjects outlines, including learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and performance/criteria).

Partial completion of a non-accredited short course, seminar, credential or professional development program is not considered for award of credit.

To verify your years of paid or voluntary experience, professional standing or performance, lodge a range of primary and secondary evidence from the list below:

Before applying for credit on this basis, you must read the RPL Portfolio of Evidence - Guidelines and download and complete the RPL Portfolio of Evidence - Form available from Apply for Credit.
Evidence Type Personal Information Workplace Information Third Party Information
Direct or primary evidence
  • Certificates / qualifications/licenses / tickets;
  • Statements of Attainment, Attendance or Participation;
  • Schedules, clinical or service hours log, rosters or pay slips;
  • Industry awards / prizes / certificates;
  • Professional or trade memberships / registrations.
  • A portfolio of documents used/developed in the workplace;
  • Samples of work presentations, designs, correspondence, reports, or projects;
  • Workplace records, forms, websites, blogs or wikis;
  • Photographs or videos of work.
  • Statement of professional or voluntary service from current or previous employers, supervisors, trainers or qualified colleagues.
  • More than a reference, it must be on company letterhead, contain organisational contact details, display the date of issue, detail duties, responsibilities and length of service in full or part time capacity;
  • and identify the name or qualifications and signature of the authorised person.
Indirect or secondary evidence
  • Resume, or curriculum vitae;
  • Job or position description;
  • Journal entries or Diary;
  • Training records;
  • Performance appraisals or reviews.
  • Meeting minutes, memos, faxes, letters, plans, emails;
  • Organisational Policies / procedures / charts / checklists;
  • Completed job cards;
  • Industry Standards used.
  • Written references or letters of verification or support;
  • Witness testimonials, customer/client feedback sheets or surveys;
  • Published research or articles.

If in doubt, rather than decline the application outright, a second opinion will be sought and/or alternative means of establishing your standing will be offered through assessor facilitated evidence, such as:

  • an RPL interview;
  • a work skills demonstration and observation record;
  • knowledge challenge test; or
  • special project.

Supporting documents must be an exact copy of originals. In some circumstances, you may be required to provide certified copies  of original documents, in which case you will be contacted by the University.

Non-English documents must be submitted in the original language, accompanied by an authorised English translation. For further information view Translation of Non-English Documents.

Verification of documents

Verifying USIs and VET transcripts

The University is required to verify USIs in accordance with section 14 of the Student Identifiers Act 2014. At the bottom of the VET Transcript the following online verification details are included:

  • a unique UR link with an alpha-numeric document number to securely view an online VET Transcript; and
  • the date the downloaded VET Transcript will expire.

Verification must take place before the expiry date you have selected.

Verifying other documents

Please make original documents available as they may need to be viewed. Southern Cross University prohibits fraudulent documents and may check any document submitted to reasonably determine that:

  • it is unaltered from the original, complete and authentic (are not tampered with, false or counterfeit);
  • the issuing authority is a real entity and lawfully registered and accredited to issue the document;
  • the document was lawfully issued to you on the said date and was not obtained as a result of a false or misleading statement; and
  • a document written in a language other than English has been accurately and completely translated into English.

If fraudulent documents are discovered, action such as withdrawal of an offer for a course, termination of enrolment or rescinding of credit may occur. Staff must report incidents or suspected incidents of fraud, either through internal mechanisms or to the relevant external body, in accordance with the University's Public Interest Disclosures Policy.

Credit for prior learning
Glossary of Terms
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