Process to transfer credits for units from a RTO to TAFE NSW

[m_j]

Hello everyone,

I have an issue of the administrative type and desperately need some assistance from this forum's brain trust.

As background, I have completed 15 units of the CHC30121 course with ACTAC so I have just 1 unit as well as the placement to complete. Alas, I cannot complete the placement as my employer does not allow remote video access by an ACTAC representative due to privacy reasons and also as ACTAC does not provide the ability to send someone to my employer's premises to see me applying the knowledge I have learned for any of those 15 units I had already completed.

As my employer had previously accepted student placement from the local TAFE NSW campus and mentioned that TAFE NSW had physically sent someone to view their students in action as part of their placement, I would like to transfer over from ACTAC to TAFE NSW and complete the last unit and placement with TAFE NSW.

So I checked TAFE NSW's CHC30121 offering and was relieved to note that there was a 1:1 match with the units making up ACTAC's CHC30121 course. At the time, I assumed that it would be easy to transfer over from ACTAC to TAFE NSW.

When I asked for my transcript from ACTAC, I have noticed that all 15 units were marked as incomplete because I had satisfied the theoretical but not the practical aspect for each of the 15 units I had completed at ACTAC. Obviously, I would have needed to complete the placement with ACTAC before the practical aspect of each of the 15 units could be marked as completed. After speaking with a TAFE NSW enrolment officer, I was informed that I would not be provided with a credit for any of the 15 units I had completed because my ACTAC transcript showed that I had not completed the practical component of the units. The TAFE NSW enrolment officer therefore mentioned that I would need to redo the entire CHC30121 with TAFE NSW ... which would mean 1.5 years of part time study wasted with ACTAC.

I have looked at TAFE NSW's various RPL and Credit pages and policies ... and there is no mention that they will provide me with any recognition whatsoever because none of the 15 units had been marked as completed.

I am rather desperate and at a loss as to what I can do next. TAFE NSW's next term starts in early Feb 2025 and I am keen to complete the CHC30121 course with them but do not want to have to redo any of the units I have already completed with ACTAC.

My questions are as follows:
1. What is the best approach to follow to ensure TAFE NSW provides me with the full credit for the theoretical component of the 15 units I have completed with ACTAC?
2. Are there any precedents from past students that have managed to transfer credits from a RTO to TAFE NSW?

Desperately but Sincerely Yours,
MJ

[Lorina]

So just to confirm, you cannot complete your units from ACTAC because they cannot send someone to "observe you"?

Can't they make adjustments? For example, your employer can mark you off and sign to show you completed the practical part or ACTAC calls your employer to discuss your progress.

Can you take photos or videos of your work to send in ACTAC?

I just feel there should be another option for you... I mean, you have 1 uit left... so close...

,
Lorina

[thomasfrank]

To ensure TAFE NSW grants credit for your theoretical work, you can request a detailed letter from ACTAC confirming completion of the theoretical components and present it to TAFE NSW along with supporting evidence. Engage with TAFE NSW’s academic counselors or RPL team to advocate for recognition of your work, potentially supported by a letter from your employer validating your knowledge.

[m_j]

To ensure TAFE NSW grants credit for your theoretical work, you can request a detailed letter from ACTAC confirming completion of the theoretical components and present it to TAFE NSW along with supporting evidence. Engage with TAFE NSW’s academic counselors or RPL team to advocate for recognition of your work, potentially supported by a letter from your employer validating your knowledge.

Hi ThomasFrank,
Thank you for your insightful suggestion and my apologies for the delay in responding.
As expected, TAFE NSW has declined my request for recognition of prior learning of the theoretical component of all units completed with ACTAC.
Although I seriously doubt that they will consent given that it would be a clear indication that I am planning to transfer from them to another RTO, I will give it a shot and ask ACTAC for the required information.
I love your suggestion to engage with the TAFE NSW academic counselors and RPT team ... so I will explore this suggestion more seriously.
I would welcome any further suggestions you may have.
Thanks again.

[m_j]

To ensure TAFE NSW grants credit for your theoretical work, you can request a detailed letter from ACTAC confirming completion of the theoretical components and present it to TAFE NSW along with supporting evidence. Engage with TAFE NSW’s academic counselors or RPL team to advocate for recognition of your work, potentially supported by a letter from your employer validating your knowledge.

Hi ThomasFrank,
Thank you for your insightful suggestion and my apologies for the delay in responding.
As expected, TAFE NSW has declined my request for recognition of prior learning of the theoretical component of all units completed with ACTAC.
Although I seriously doubt that they will consent given that it would be a clear indication that I am planning to transfer from them to another RTO, I will give it a shot and ask ACTAC for the required information.
I love your suggestion to engage with the TAFE NSW academic counselors and RPT team ... so I will explore this suggestion more seriously.
I would welcome any further suggestions you may have.
Thanks again.

[m_j]

So just to confirm, you cannot complete your units from ACTAC because they cannot send someone to "observe you"?

Can't they make adjustments? For example, your employer can mark you off and sign to show you completed the practical part or ACTAC calls your employer to discuss your progress.

Can you take photos or videos of your work to send in ACTAC?

I just feel there should be another option for you... I mean, you have 1 uit left... so close...

,
Lorina

Hi Lorina,
Thank you for your response and my apologies for the delay in replying.
In response to your questions:
1. So just to confirm, you cannot complete your units from ACTAC because they cannot send someone to "observe you"? Yes, that is correct. They cannot send someone to observe as ACTAC does not send anyone out to childcare centres. ACTAC is QLD-based and I am NSW-based ... so that's the problem.
2. Can't they make adjustments? No, no such adjustments are allowed.
3. Can you take photos or videos of your work to send in ACTAC? As per privacy policies in place at all service providers I have contacted, I am not allowed to take photos or videos of myself engaging with children at the service provider.
4. Your employer can mark you off and sign to show you completed the practical part. Well. my employer does this already but ACTAC also needs to observe to ensure compliance from the RTO.

Thank you for your questions. I would appreciate any other suggestions you may have.