Australian Defence Force (ADF) members can have their military skills recognised through a national qualification as part of their transition to the civilian workforce.
ADF Transition and Civil Recognition provides transitioning members, and those who have transitioned within 24 months, the opportunity to have skills recognised through recognition of prior learning (RPL), and accredited where possible.
Technical or trade qualifications are not covered under RPL. ADF Transition and Civil Recognition provides a process for members to have trade qualifications recognised via Training Systems NSW.
Recognition of prior learning
Skills, knowledge and experience can be formally recognised through a process called RPL, which validates skills against nationally accredited units of competency to award a full qualification or a statement of attainment.
Up to 2 RPL opportunities are provided at no cost.
Evidence is measured against the units of competency in a qualification, and must meet the following criteria.
- Evidence is current and relevant to the qualification sought (within the last 2 years).
- Evidence demonstrates the candidate’s skills, knowledge and performance.
- Where required, the candidate’s contribution to projects, such as audits, is specified.
Evidence of existing skills, work level standards, and experience must be provided when applying for RPL. Evidence is assessed to determine if the candidate meets a qualification's requirements by professionals who understand Defence training and skills.
Qualifications, which can be applied to any industry sector, aim to validate members’ transferable skills and could include:
- business
- government
- leadership and management
- work health and safely
- supply chain / logistics
- quality auditing
- paralegal services (must be Defence paralegal)
- photography and photo imagery (must be a Defence photographer)
- intuitional and operational chaplaincy (must be a Defence Chaplain)
- government security
- procurement and contracting
- materiel logistics.
Applications for RPL can be emailed to adf.civilrecognition@defence.gov.au, including full name and PMKeyS number. RPL may take up to 3 to 6 months.
Microcredentials
From May 2023, microcredentials can also be provided though RPL at no cost to transitioning ADF members.
Microcredentials validate skills performed in addition to the member's main occupation role against national skill standards and include areas such as:
- investigations
- compliance
- auditing
- support and implement policy
- procurement fundamentals and delegations
- cyber awareness
- cyber threat and risk assessment
- public sector fundamentals
- workplace technology
- workplace coaching.
Microcredentials can also be discussed on the application of RPL to agree the best microcredentials for each individual.
Registered training organisations
RPL is offered by registered training organisations (RTOs).
The Defence registered training organisation (DRTO):
- issues qualifications on behalf of ADF Transition and Civil Recognition
- is an enterprise RTO (DRTO reference number 0442)
- is only accessible to Defence members and employees, and operates to national regulatory and Defence policy standards.
All RTOs are accountable to the same National Framework, and the cost for services vary between RTOs. Members can choose to engage with any nationally recognised RTO at own cost.
Training and skills guides
The ADF training and skills guides explain the skills acquired during military service in civilian language.
The guides assist with developing a resume or writing a job application by matching military skills with civilian work opportunities, providing:
- information about the responsibilities and tasks undertaken during military service
- alignment of training and skills to military rank
- translation of military language into civilian language
- examples of civilian language for writing a CV, résumé, or an application.
The guides are grouped by the equivalent military rank from each service area: N = Navy rank, A = Army rank, AF = Air Force rank.
Seaman (N), Private (A), Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman (AF) (PDF, 1.15 MB)
Leading Seaman (N), Corporal/Bombardier (A), Corporal (AF) (PDF, 1.16 MB)
Petty Officer (N), Sergeant (A), Sergeant (AF) (PDF, 1.16 MB)
Chief Petty Officer (N), Warrant Officer Class 2 (A), Flight Sergeant (AF) (PDF, 1.16 MB)
Warrant Officer (N), Warrant Officer Class 1 (A), Warrant Officer (AF) (PDF, 1.16 MB)
Acting Sub Lieutenant (N), 2nd Lieutenant (A), Pilot Officer (AF) (PDF, 1.18 MB)
Sub Lieutenant (N), Lieutenant (A), Flying Officer (AF) (PDF, 1.19 MB)
Lieutenant (N), Captain (A), Flight Lieutenant (AF) (PDF, 1.19 MB)
Lieutenant Commander (N), Major (A), Squadron Leader (AF) (PDF, 1.19 MB)
Commander (N), Lieutenant Colonel (A), Wing Commander (AF) (PDF, 1.19 MB)
Captain (N), Colonel (A), Group Captain (AF) (PDF, 1.19 MB)
Transferable skills scenarios
Veterans talk about the transition experience and the transferable skills gained through service. Watch the 3 scenarios to learn more.
Susan James | Air Force
John Howarth | Army
Rob Smith | Navy