Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about recognition

Recognition allows you to complete formal education in a shorter period of time. Successfully gaining recognition for some or all of your qualification means that you do not have to spend time relearning things you already know.

Anyone can apply for recognition if they believe they may be eligible. You do not have to be a TAFE NSW student. However, a fee will apply for recognition if you are not enrolled. There are various ways you may be eligible for recognition.

For more information please see what counts towards recognition on the TAFE NSW Skills Recognition page, refer to the TAFE NSW Handbook or visit the Department of Education and Training's Skills Recognition site.

If you are enrolled with Sydney Institute, you should discuss the possibility of gaining recognition with your teacher or head teacher. For general assistance contact a TAFE NSW course information officer, customer service officer or counsellor.

Recognition is free of charge if you are enrolled in a Sydney Institute qualification and have either paid the TAFE NSW fee or been granted a fee exemption.

If you want to get your results sooner or are not enrolled with Sydney Institute, you can take advantage of our specialised fast-track service and get your results sooner by paying for a skills assessment.

For more information on fast-track and commercial recognition please contact a Business Development Consultant on 1300 360 601.

You should discuss your application with a course information officer, customer service officer or appropriate teacher or head teacher in the first instance. To help you prepare to apply you should:

•  review the subjects/units of competence in the course – this will help you gain an idea of where your skills could fit
• collect certificates/awards/transcripts of any previous relevant study – either in-house (ie delivered by your employer) or formal studies undertaken with a training provider
• think about your current or recent supervisors who have seen your work within the last two years who may be able to verify your skills
• download the Recognition Self Assessment Worksheet to help you self assess your skills or knowledge. If you use a screen reader please contact us for a plain text copy of the Self Assessment form.
  

You can apply for recognition at any time. However, if you are an enrolled student it is recommended that you do so before classes begin or as soon as possible afterwards.

Your teacher or head teacher will provide details on how to prepare a portfolio of evidence and provide guidance to you in preparing the portfolio. Your skills and experience from the last two years are important as they show that you are currently working in the industry.

You can also visit the Department of Education and Training's Skills Recognition site for background information.

When you get back the student copy of your lodged Enrolment Adjustment form it will say whether your application has been successful. If so, you will receive an amended transcript of academic record by post. This will list the units/subjects for which you have been granted recognition. You can also find out if you have been granted recognition in a unit/module through TAFE NSW Student e-Services using your student logon.

Some Sydney Institute qualifications provide a mark or grade for your qualification. When recognition is granted, a mark or grade is not recorded. If you need a grade or mark to contribute to a UAI for university entrance, or similar qualification for further study, recognition may not be for you. Please discuss this with your head teacher before applying.

You can lodge an appeal if you feel that the procedure used to assess your application for recognition was unfair. You must appeal in writing within two weeks of receiving notification of the result of your application. The initial appeal must be sent to the head teacher or course coordinator for your course.

Evidence is the information you gather and provide to an assessor to show that you have the skills required to gain recognition. Evidence may include:

• certificates
• reports
• references from your paid or unpaid work experience
• samples of your work
• qualifications
• a practical assessment or skill demonstration
  

All evidence that you provide will be checked by the assessor to ensure its validity. The evidence should be compiled into a portfolio to demonstrate that you have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills.