Online Study or RPL: Which Is Faster for an Advanced Diploma?

The quick answer

If you have been managing people, operations or a business function for several years, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is usually the faster route to an Advanced Diploma, because it assesses what you already do rather than teaching it. If you are newer to management, or want structured learning and trainer support, online study is the better fit and has an indicative duration of 24 months at S2C. Both lead to the same nationally recognised qualification.

Online study: Structured learning with trainer support, indicative 24 months

RPL: Assessment of your existing experience against the units

Same outcome: The same nationally recognised Advanced Diploma

Not sure: Start with a free skills check

How online study works

At S2C Training, the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB60420) and the Advanced Diploma of Business (BSB60120) are studied online with trainer support and scheduled online tutorials. You work through ten units, and assessment uses tasks from your workplace, or a simulated workplace if you are not currently in a relevant role. The indicative duration is 24 months, and your actual time depends on your study load and progress. See How long does an online diploma take?

Online study suits you if:

• you are stepping up into management and want to build the skills, not just prove them

• you have experience in some areas but gaps in others, such as finance or strategy

• you prefer a structured program with a trainer to talk to

How RPL works

RPL assesses your existing skills and knowledge against each unit of the qualification. At S2C, it is assessed online using your evidence, a live competency conversation and, if needed, a practical task. Evidence is usually things you already have: business plans, budgets you managed, change projects you led, performance reviews, reports and references. If some units are not covered by your experience, you may complete gap training for those units only.

RPL suits you if:

• you have managed people, budgets or operations for several years

• you can show documents or referees that back up what you did

• you want recognition for capability you already use, without repeating it

For a fuller picture, see What is RPL?, What evidence do I need for RPL?, RPL vs credit transfer and How to choose an RPL provider.

Which is faster?

For experienced managers, RPL is usually faster, because most of the time goes into gathering evidence you already have rather than completing new learning. How quickly you finish depends mainly on how organised your evidence is and how many gaps it leaves. For people with less experience, RPL may leave too many gaps to be quicker, and online study is the more direct path.

Entry requirements apply either way

Both Advanced Diplomas require either a completed Diploma or Advanced Diploma from the BSB Training Package, or two years' equivalent full-time relevant workplace experience in an operational or leadership role. See Can you do an Advanced Diploma without a Diploma? for what counts, and Diploma vs Advanced Diploma vs Graduate Diploma to compare levels.

Where to from here

Complete a free skills check. A course advisor will look at your experience and tell you whether RPL or online study is the better route for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is RPL or online study faster for an Advanced Diploma?

For experienced managers, RPL is usually faster because it assesses skills you already use. For people newer to management, online study is often the more direct path.

Is an Advanced Diploma gained through RPL the same qualification?

Yes. RPL and online study lead to the same nationally recognised qualification, assessed against the same units.

What evidence do I need for RPL?

Typically documents from your work, such as business plans, budgets, reports, change projects and performance reviews, plus references. You also take part in a live competency conversation with an assessor.

What if my experience doesn't cover every unit?

You may complete gap training for the units your experience doesn't cover, rather than the whole qualification.

How long does online study take for an Advanced Diploma?

S2C's indicative duration is 24 months of online study. Your actual time depends on your study load and progress.

Sources

• training.gov.au - BSB60420: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/BSB60420

• training.gov.au - BSB60120: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/BSB60120

• ASQA - Volume of learning: https://legacy.asqa.gov.au/guidance-resources/determining-appropriate-training-and-course-duration/volume-learning