Types of acceptable evidence

Different skills require different types of evidence to demonstrate that you are competent. For example, the only way to show that you’re physically able to use a particular machine is to actually operate it while your RTO assessor is watching you.

On the other hand, the best way to prove that you can work cooperatively with other people and communicate well with them is to have your supervisor write a supporting letter that describes the way you work with others.

Most competencies are made up of a range of skills, and therefore require several types of evidence to demonstrate competence. Obviously, all of the evidence you present to support your application for RPL has to be ‘acceptable’ – that is, it has to meet certain standards.

Below are the basic standards that an assessor will apply to any evidence you present. These standards are called the ‘rules of evidence’.

Rules of evidence

All evidence you present must be:

  1. Valid – it must directly relate to the skills that you are asking for RPL in
  2. Authentic – it must relate to your own work, and not the work of someone else
  3. Sufficient – there must be enough evidence for the assessor to be able to make an accurate decision
  4. Current – it must be up-to-date enough to demonstrate that you still have the skills, and that industry practices haven’t changed in the meantime.

Different types of evidence

Below are typical examples of the main types of evidence that you may be asked to provide.
Your assessor will be able to provide you with the actual requirements for each competenency.

Practical demonstration

Written or verbal questions

Third party report

Workplace documents