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Nationally Recognised RPL Pathway

Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design

RII60520

Your senior experience in civil works design and engineering support deserves formal Australian recognition. Leverage your technical expertise in complex project management to fast-track your career progression. Start your journey today with a free skills review to see how your experience aligns with this qualification.

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About This Qualification

This qualification reflects the role of an individual working as a senior civil works designer or a para-professional designer, who supports professional engineers. They perform tasks that are broad, specialised, complex and technical and include strategic areas and initiating activities. They are responsible for the design of complex projects to ensure the implementation of the client’s site requirements and are required to demonstrate self-directed application of theoretical and technical knowledge and initiate solutions to technical problems or management requirements. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification considerations Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this qualification can vary between states, territories and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the qualification.

Qualification Code

RII60520

Training Package

RII — Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package

AQF Level

Advanced Diploma

Total Units

12 (5 core + 7 elective)

Entry Requirements

No

RPL It Status: Available

Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Career Outcomes

According to training.gov.au, this qualification supports the following roles:

RoleResponsibilities
Senior Civil Construction DesignerProviding high-level technical support to professional engineers by designing complex infrastructure and works projects.
Para-professional DesignerInitiating solutions to technical engineering problems and managing broad, specialised design activities.

Licensing

STATE SPECIFIC

⚠️ Important

Licensing requirements for civil construction design vary significantly between states and territories. Please note that achieving this qualification does not automatically grant a licence to practice; you must consult the relevant regulatory body in your jurisdiction.

NSWNSW Fair Trading
VICVictorian Building Authority (VBA)
QLDQueensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
WADepartment of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
SAConsumer and Business Services (CBS)
TASConsumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
ACTEnvironment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
NTNT Building Practitioners Board

Delivering Registered Training Organisations

All assessment and qualification issuance for this qualification is carried out by one of the following partner RTOs, each of which holds RII60520 on their scope of registration with ASQA:

Which RTO will deliver my qualification? The delivering RTO will be confirmed during your skills review and prior to enrolment. Your qualification will be issued directly by the delivering RTO and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Fees

Final pricing will be confirmed before enrolment.

You will receive a detailed, personalised quote — including the total fee, payment terms, interest-free payment plan options, and the name of the delivering RTO — before you are asked to enrol or make any payment.

Refund policy:If RPL It is unable to process your application, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid to RPL It. Once your portfolio has been submitted to the RTO for assessment, the RTO's refund policy applies. Details will be provided before enrolment.

Indicative Timeframes

✓ What we control

  • • Guiding you through evidence gathering
  • • Submitting a complete portfolio to the RTO
  • • Following up on your behalf

⏳ What we don't control

  • • The RTO's assessment workload
  • • The assessor's evaluation timeline
  • • The qualification issuance process

Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary based on qualification complexity, evidence completeness, and RTO capacity.

Roles & Responsibilities

RPL It AustraliaDelivering RTO
RoleStudent support serviceRegistered Training Organisation
Initial skills review✅
Evidence gathering guidance✅
Formal assessment✅ Qualified assessors
Assessment judgement✅ Made by the RTO
Gap trainingAvailable if required (delivered by RTO)
Qualification issuance✅ Issued by the RTO
Complaints & appealsOwn complaints process✅ RTO process applies to assessments

RPL It Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 55 689 826 917) is not an RTO and does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

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Start with a free skills review to see if your experience aligns with this qualification.

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Could RPL Be Right for You?

Experience can be evidence.

RPL is the process that helps you demonstrate it.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification. It isn't a shortcut — it applies the same assessment standards as any other pathway.

RPL typically involves:

📋

A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements

💼

Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency

👤

Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation

🎯

If gaps are identified, targeted training to build on your existing expertise

ℹ️ Important Pathway Advice

RPL isn't the right pathway for everyone. If you don't have substantial, relevant, and current industry experience, a traditional study pathway may serve you better.

Our approach:

“We'd rather guide you to the right pathway than enrol you in the wrong one.”

What Kind of Experience Counts?

If RPL becomes available for this qualification, the types of experience and evidence that would typically be relevant include:

🏗️

Work History & Roles

  • ✓Detailed CV highlighting senior design experience
  • ✓Position descriptions for para-professional roles
  • ✓Employment contracts or letters of appointment
📐

Design Project Portfolio

  • ✓Civil works design plans and specifications
  • ✓Complex project briefs and site requirement analyses
  • ✓CAD or BIM software-generated design models
🛡️

Safety & Risk Management

  • ✓Safe design reports and WHS risk control plans
  • ✓Program risk management documentation
  • ✓Technical problem-solving and solution reports
📋

Quality & Leadership

  • ✓Quality system maintenance records
  • ✓Team effectiveness and management reports
  • ✓Design process management meeting minutes
❓

Not sure if you qualify?

Speak with our team for a free eligibility discussion.

Talk to us

This is general guidance based on training.gov.au. Specific requirements will be confirmed by the delivering RTO's assessor when RPL becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this qualification and RPL.

How do I get started with RPL for this qualification?▾
The process begins with a free skills review where we assess your industry experience against the qualification requirements. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will compile a portfolio of evidence, which is then assessed by our RTO partner to grant your Advanced Diploma.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?▾
Yes, a qualification obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is identical to one earned through traditional study. It is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and held in the same regard by employers and regulatory bodies.
How long does the process typically take?▾
Most candidates complete the RPL process within 4 to 6 weeks once their evidence portfolio has been submitted to the RTO. The timeframe can vary depending on how quickly you can gather your documentation and technical evidence.
What kind of evidence do I need to provide for civil construction design?▾
You will need to provide technical documentation such as civil design drawings, site inspection reports, project specifications, and evidence of managing complex design projects. Workplace testimonials and proof of compliance with Australian standards are also essential.
Will this Advanced Diploma help me with licensing or registration?▾
Yes, the RII60520 is a high-level qualification that is often required for senior design roles and can support applications for professional registration or specific state-based licensing requirements in the civil construction industry.
Can I use overseas project experience for my RPL application?▾
Absolutely. You can use experience gained internationally, provided you can demonstrate that your work aligns with Australian civil construction standards and the specific units of competency within the RII training package.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?▾
Yes. RPL is a legitimate form of assessment within the Australian VET system. The qualification issued is identical to one obtained through any other mode of delivery and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Who assesses my evidence?▾
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor employed or contracted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO) — not by RPL It. The assessor holds the credentials required under the 2025 Standards for RTOs and has current industry experience.
What if gaps are identified in my skills?▾
If the assessor identifies areas where your evidence does not fully demonstrate competency, the RTO can provide gap training. The RTO will discuss any associated requirements or costs with you if this becomes necessary. Gap training is targeted to the specific areas identified and is designed to help you meet the full requirements of the qualification.
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?▾
If the initial skills review indicates that RPL is not suitable for you at this time, we’ll let you know honestly and discuss alternative options. We would rather direct you to the right pathway than enrol you in a process that won’t lead to a successful outcome.
How long does the RPL process take?▾
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. However, this is an average based on past outcomes — not a guarantee. Factors include qualification complexity, evidence completeness, whether gap training is required, and the RTO’s current assessment capacity.
Can I do this from outside Australia?▾
This depends on the specific qualification. Many qualifications are based on Australian codes, standards, and legislation, and some require access to an Australian workplace for assessment. If you are based outside Australia, please contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your circumstances.

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