Why 2026 is the year to get licensed.
At the same time, state authorities are increasing compliance checks, particularly on worksites, contracts, and licensing status.
For experienced workers, this creates both risk and opportunity. Those without the correct trade licence may find it harder to secure work or contracts. Those who take steps to formalise their experience, however, are well placed to access better pay, greater job security, and more flexibility.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) remains one of the most practical ways to convert hands-on experience into the nationally recognised qualification required for many trade licences — without stepping away from work to study full-time.
What is RPL and how does it help you get licensed?
Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process used in Australia to formally recognise skills and knowledge gained through work experience rather than classroom study.
In simple terms, RPL assesses what you already know and can do on the job. If your experience meets the national competency standards for a qualification, you can be awarded that qualification without repeating training you’ve already mastered.
RPL is particularly suited to:
- Tradies with five or more years of hands-on experience
- Workers who learned on the tools rather than through formal study
- Migrants with overseas trade experience
- People who partially completed an apprenticeship or qualification.
When completed through an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO), RPL can result in a nationally recognised certificate, such as a Certificate III or IV, which is often a key requirement for applying for a trade licence.
Understanding trade licensing requirements in Australia
Australia’s states and territories regulate trade licensing. Bodies such as NSW Fair Trading, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), and the WA Building Commission all set their own rules.
While requirements differ between states and trades, one element is consistent across most licensing frameworks: applicants must hold a relevant nationally recognised qualification.
Some trades may also require additional exams, supervised experience, or registration steps. However, the qualification itself is often the biggest hurdle — and this is where RPL plays a critical role.
According to RTO and trade licensing requirements, a qualification obtained through RPL is treated the same as one achieved through traditional study.
How the RPL pathway works (step-by-step)
Step 1 — Free skills check
The process starts with a free skills check. This is a short conversation with an RPL advisor to understand your background, experience, and goals. It helps determine whether RPL is realistic and which qualification aligns with your trade licence pathway.
Step 2 — Evidence collection
If you’re eligible, you’ll gather evidence that shows your experience. This may include:
- Photos or videos of your work
- Contracts, quotes, or invoices
- Timesheets or job logs
- Employer or client references
- Overseas or expired qualifications
- WHS cards, apprenticeships, or partial study records.
Step 3 — Formal RPL assessment
An assessor from a partner RTO reviews your evidence against national competency standards. They may ask follow-up questions or request additional proof. There are no exams or classroom sessions unless genuine gaps are identified.
Step 4 — Receive your RPL certificate
Once your competency is confirmed, you’re issued a nationally recognised qualification.
Step 5 — Apply for your trade licence
You submit your qualification, identification, and supporting documents to the relevant state licensing authority. While some trades require extra steps, the RPL qualification usually satisfies the core education requirement.
Benefits of getting your licence through RPL
For experienced workers, RPL offers clear advantages:
- Significantly faster than traditional study
- No time off work required
- Lower overall cost than full courses
- Recognition of overseas or informal experience
- Improved earning potential and job security
- Ability to start a business or work as a sole trader
- Confidence that you meet compliance requirements for 2026 and beyond
Common trades that use RPL for licensing
RPL is commonly used across a wide range of industries, including:
- Carpentry
- Building and construction
- Electrical (where permitted, with additional requirements)
- Plumbing
- Painting and decorating
- Wall and floor tiling
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration
- Automotive trades
- Community services and care sectors.
How Skills Certified helps
Skills Certified supports workers throughout the RPL journey — from the first eligibility check to the final qualification outcome. We help clarify your evidence requirements, match applicants with the correct qualification, and work closely with trusted RTO partners to ensure your assessments are handled properly.
Rather than guessing whether RPL will work, you get clear guidance upfront and ongoing support through each stage of the process.
