In 2024, the Defence Education, Learning and Training Authority (DELTA) agreed to release a redacted summary of key components of LMPs to educational institutions holding veteran RPL grants, noting that these are Security classified. Once approval is given for the release of the LMP data by the relevant ADF training authority, they may be provided in a redacted form to only include the Course Name, Course Description, Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria and duration of learning and intended learners’ rank.

Given the thousands of LMPs within the ADF, HE providers first need to identify which of their courses are appropriate to map for veteran RPL. The purpose of the institution’s project should be considered - i.e. determine whether the focus should be on getting veterans into undergraduate courses versus postgraduate courses and whether they wish to target the widest group. The largest percentage of veterans transitioning out of the Army are at the rank of Lance Corporal or below. Many non-commissioned officers will have higher education qualifications, and any rank is able to apply for study assistance to study at either TAFEs or universities during their service. Therefore, it is essential for the HE institution to determine which veterans to initially target when introducing a Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning Program. The RPL offering can be expanded over time to include other rank levels transitioning out of any of the three services within the ADF.

A basic understanding of the structure of ADF courses is critical to the success of RPL mapping. All ADF recruits complete their Initial Entry Training (IET) or Initial Military Training (IMT) before progressing to more specialised training specific to their positions. They would then typically progress over time into junior leadership roles, attending promotion courses at each incremental step.

VET qualifications awarded depend on the work level standards and alignment to the AQF. Diplomas are only awarded to the ranks that align to this level - all veterans do not receive a Diploma. Only Sergeant (SGT) equivalents and above will be considered for this level, depending on their work level experience, and some Diplomas are not awarded until Warrant Officer (WO) level.

Before submitting an LMP request, checks will need to have been undertaken to ensure that there are no regulatory conditions or course rules that might prevent or limit RPL.

DELTA maintain a central mailbox to receive LMP requests from HE institutions conducting veteran RPL assessments.

Please direct queries to: Defence.curriculum@defence.gov.au. The LMP information requested needs to be described as accurately as possible to align with the courses the HE institution is reviewing. It is also critical to include the:

• Details of the HE institution requesting the LMP data
• Purpose of the request
• Specific courses that they are trying to map and skills/knowledge for mapping
• Key contacts within the organisation who will have access to the documents.

Some universities with existing veteran programs have already conducted their own assessment of the IET and promotion courses delivered by the ADF to create rank packages with set levels of automatic RPL credit available to Student Veterans. This information is publicly available on their respective websites, providing a useful starting point for other HE institutions to review against their own courses.

A veteran RPL grant-holding stakeholder group was established in 2024 to collaborate and share information around their mapping processes. Contact can be established with the 2023 Grant Recipients via their own Veteran Services contact email addresses on each university's website.