If you’re putting together evidence for recognition of prior learning (RPL), an assessor may ask for a third-party report from someone who has seen you work. It can be a useful way to confirm skills that are difficult to show through documents alone. But a report saying you’re “great at the job” usually won’t tell the assessor enough.
A strong RPL third-party report explains who observed you, what they personally saw you do, when and where it happened, and how you performed the work. The registered training organisation (RTO) decides what evidence it needs and assesses it against the relevant qualification or units of competency. A supervisor’s report supports that assessment; it does not replace it.
Who should write the report?
Choose someone with direct knowledge of your work, such as a current or former supervisor, manager, team leader or experienced colleague. The person needs to be able to describe tasks they actually observed—not simply confirm that you held a job title.
Before asking them, check the RTO’s instructions. It may provide a specific template, questions or eligibility requirements for the person completing the report. If you work for yourself, ask the RTO what forms of independent confirmation it will accept rather than assuming a client reference will be enough.
What should an RPL third-party report include?
1. The writer’s identity and working relationship with you
The report should give the writer’s name, role, organisation and work contact details. It should explain how they know you, whether they supervised or worked alongside you, and the period during which they observed your work. These details help the assessor understand the basis of their comments and, where appropriate, follow up.
2. The work they personally observed
Specific examples are more useful than broad praise. The writer could describe the tasks you completed, the equipment or systems you used, the decisions you made and the conditions you worked under. Were you working independently, following instructions or supervising others? Did they observe the task once, or regularly over several months?
For example, “I watched Priya prepare and complete weekly stocktakes from March to August, investigate discrepancies in the inventory system and report adjustments to me” tells an assessor more than “Priya has excellent warehouse skills”.
3. Relevant timeframes and how recently the work was done
Dates help place the evidence in context. Ask the writer to distinguish between past responsibilities and tasks you still perform. If workplace procedures, equipment or requirements have changed, the report should describe the version of the work they actually observed rather than assuming older experience is current.
4. How the work was performed
Where the writer can genuinely comment, they should describe whether you followed workplace procedures, communicated with others, handled routine problems and completed work to the standards expected in that setting. Examples of safe work practices may be relevant, but a statement in a report does not grant a licence or replace any required formal assessment.
5. An honest statement of the writer’s limits
A credible report does not need to cover everything. The writer should say when they have not observed a particular task or cannot comment on a skill. They should avoid copying a unit of competency into the report and signing it as though every task was witnessed.
6. A signature and date
The completed report should be dated and signed, or submitted in the form the RTO requests. Make sure the writer is comfortable being contacted to confirm what they have said. Share personal and workplace information only through the RTO’s requested process, and check before including confidential client details.
Should the report refer to units of competency?
If the RTO provides a form organised by units or assessment criteria, the writer should answer its questions using real examples. Otherwise, plain language is fine. You can look up nationally recognised training products on training.gov.au, but the assessor—not your supervisor—determines how the evidence relates to the requirements of a unit.
RPL is an assessment pathway, not a shortcut around assessment. The RTO may also ask for work samples, records, a conversation or a practical demonstration to establish whether the overall evidence is sufficient. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) provides information about the regulation of RTOs and their training and assessment obligations.
A quick check before you submit
Give your referee enough time to write in their own words, and don’t ask them to confirm work they did not see. If you’re unsure what to collect, RPL Access Australia can help you organise and understand your evidence requirements. The RTO remains responsible for assessing your RPL application and, if the requirements are met, issuing any qualification or statement of attainment. Any occupational licence is a separate decision for the relevant licensing authority.