How to apply for credit

You can apply for credit if you've completed:

• a unit at Federation University or another higher education institution
• diploma-level or higher studies at an Australian TAFE.

Your previous studies must:

• be relevant
• be equivalent (at least 80%) to current knowledge and practices
• meet the current learning or competency outcomes of the unit or subject.

You can only receive credit for up to two-thirds of a course (measured in credit points), unless there are internal or external credit transfer agreements.

Credit won't be granted for:

• studies with non-passing grades
• studies with credit transfer grades.

Domestic students

You should apply for credit as soon as you receive an offer. Although you can apply any time during your course, if you leave it too late (within two weeks of census date in the relevant semester) you might end up paying and receiving a grade for the unit. (If this happens, we'll get in touch to discuss your options.)

International students

Please apply for credit when submitting your application through StudyLink.

Step 1: Gather your documents

If you're applying for credit for studies at a university other than Federation, you'll need to provide:

• an official academic transcript, including a key to your grades
• official subject descriptors (PDF format) from the year you completed the subject that describe the synopsis, objectives, assessments, contact hours and placement hours
• placement logbooks (if you're an education student).

If you're applying for credit for previous TAFE studies, you'll need to provide:

• a certificate of completion (or a statement of completion on your transcript)
• an official academic transcript, including a key to your grades
• a copy of your current AHPRA registration (if you're a nursing or midwifery student).

All documents must be in English (if not, you must provide a certified copy of the English translation).

Step 2: Apply online

If you're a domestic student, you should apply via our enquiries portal. If you're an international student, please apply through StudyLink.

Enrol according to your course structure until you receive the outcome of your application. This might take up to 10 business days (or longer between December and March). If you're transferring between Federation courses, your credit application will be assessed once the transfer is finalised or results for the current semester are released.

If your credit transfer is approved

You'll be emailed a personalised student plan showing your enrolment and progression, along with a credit outcome letter. Your credit will be recorded on your academic transcript with a TC grade. You'll also be able to view it in my Student Centre.

If your credit application is rejected

If you think the decision is unfair, you can submit an appeal within 30 days of being notified. Follow the Student Appeal Procedure. While you're waiting for the outcome, stay enrolled in your unit(s) and complete all assessments.

To apply for RPL, your prior learning must:

• be relevant
• be equivalent (at least 80%) to current knowledge and practices
• meet the current learning or competency outcomes of the unit.

You can only receive a maximum of 60 credit points for RPL and two-thirds of a course (measured in credit points) for credit and RPL combined. 

Domestic students

You should apply for RPL as soon as you receive an offer.

Although you can apply any time during your course, if you leave it too late (within two weeks of census date in the relevant semester), you might end up paying and receiving a W (withdrawn) grade if you receive RPL for your enrolled unit. (If this happens, we'll get in touch to discuss your options.) 

International students

Please apply for RPL when submitting your application through StudyLink. 

Step 1: Check if your course is eligible for RPL 

Open the 'Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning' tab under your course in the handbook to check for RPL eligibility. If 'recognition of prior learning' isn't listed, your course isn't eligible for any RPL. Some courses and individual units aren't eligible due to accreditation reasons. Contact us if you’re unsure.  

Step 2: Find the learning outcomes

Find the code/s and learning outcomes for each unit you intend to add to your RPL application.

Step 3: Gather your documents 

Evidence: Gather any documents that support relevant informal learning (such as training materials, voluntary activities, resumes and reference letters). You can also use transcripts for formal studies completed over 10 years ago, but only if you include additional supporting documents that show more recent experience. See the Higher Education Recognition of Prior Learning Procedure for a full list of accepted evidence. 

Overview: Write an explanation of how your prior learning or experience and supporting evidence covers each learning outcome (knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills). Make sure you include the outcome titles. This document can be a Word, Excel or PDF file. 

All documents must be in English. If not, you must provide a certified copy of the English translation.

Step 4: Apply online 

Submit your RPL application via our enquiries portal. 

Enrol according to your course structure until you receive the outcome of your application. This might take up to 20 business days (or longer between December and March).

If your RPL is approved

You'll be emailed a personalised student plan showing your enrolment and progression, along with a credit outcome letter. Your credit will be recorded on your academic transcript with a TC grade. You'll also be able to view it in my Student Centre.

If your RPL is rejected

If you think the decision is unfair, you can submit an appeal within 30 days of being notified. Follow the Student Appeal Procedure. While you're waiting for the outcome, stay enrolled in your unit(s) and complete all assessments. 

You can get credit for units you complete at other institutions while you're enrolled at Federation. Follow these steps:

1. Fill out page 1 of the Application for Cross-Institutional Study (Outbound).
2. Send it to the uni you want to study at and ask them to complete and sign page 2.
3. Upload the completed application to our enquiry portal by the start of the relevant semester. Include the current subject descriptor for the unit you want to study (which should include the synopsis, objectives, assessments, contact hours and placement details (if applicable)).

We’ll email you to let you know if your application is approved. 

Once you pass your unit, upload a copy of your official transcript to the enquiry portal so we can finalise your credit transfer.

You can get credit for units you complete while you're studying abroad or on exchange.

To be eligible to apply, you must have:

• completed at least one year of full-time study at Federation (or equivalent)
• at least one unit remaining when you return
• a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 4.0.

Submit your credit application via our enquiries portal. You'll need to provide:

• an official academic transcript, including a key to your grades
• official subject descriptors (PDF format) from the year you completed the subject that describe the synopsis, objectives, assessments, contact hours, placement hours.

All documents must be in English (or if not, you must provide a certified copy of the translation to English).