Thinking of applying for your kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licence with NSW Fair Trading? If you have the skills, knowledge, and experience, the Qualify Me! recognition of prior learning (RPL) program can help speed up the process.

If your skills are certified by our RPL program, you’ll be awarded a nationally recognised qualification which you can use to apply for your licence. There’s no need for classroom study, and you can receive your certificate within 4-6 weeks. It’s cost-effective, fast, and easy. In this article, we’ll answer all your burning kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licence questions, and you’ll discover how RPL can help.

Why do I need a kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licence? 

Kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licences are becoming increasingly popular, especially for plumbers and carpenters looking to expand their business offerings. But why do you need one? 

According to Fair Trading NSW, you must have a licence before you do any residential building work in NSW valued at more than $5000 (incl GST) in labour and materials, including kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovations.

Renovations include installation, refurbishment, restoration, and on-site repairs of a kitchen, bathroom or laundry. It doesn’t include work affecting any internal or external load-bearing part of the building that is essential to the stability of the building, including things such as foundations, floors, walls, roof, columns, and beams.

If you’re a carpenter, joiner, plumber, or tiler and you want to organise full-scale kitchen, bathroom, and laundry renovations, you’ll need this licence to subcontract work out to other trades.

Without this licence, you cannot hire subcontractors from other trades. 

What are the different types of kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licences?

There are three types of kitchen, bathroom, and laundry renovation licences available through NSW Fair Trading. You can use your nationally recognised qualification achieved through our RPL program to apply for whichever licence applies to your situation.

Contractor licence

A contractor licence allows you to contract and advertise to do work. You can only do the types of work described on your licence card. Contractor licences can be issued to individuals, companies, and partnerships.

 Qualified supervisor certificate

A qualified supervisor certificateallows you to supervise and do the work described on your certificate. Qualified supervisor certificates are only issued to individuals and do not allow you to contract for work.

Endorsed contractor licence

An endorsed contractor licence is issued to individuals who apply for a contractor licence and who also have the qualifications and experience needed to be a qualified supervisor.

Who Can Get A Kitchen, Bathroom And Laundry Renovation Licence?

To be eligible for a kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licence, you need a current endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in one of the following trades:

• Carpentry
• Joinery
• Plumbing
• Wall and floor tiling

You also need to complete certain units of competency outlined on the NSW Fair Trading website as outlined on our Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry Renovation Licence.

That’s where the Qualify Me! RPL program comes in — if you have on-the-job experience, you may qualify for RPL. This means you can skip the classroom study required to complete the units of competency and instead be awarded a certificate that proves you have the skills required to attain your kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licence.

What Work Experience Do I Need To Qualify For RPL?

To qualify for our RPL program, you’ll need to have worked on kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovations while being supervised by someone holding either a kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licence or a builder’s licence.

The RPL process requires the licensed supervisor to sign a testimonial to vouch for your work experience, skills, and knowledge.

You’ll need at least x years of work experience to qualify for this RPL program.

What If I’m Qualified In Another State Or Internationally?

Are you already qualified in another state? You can apply for a licence directly with NSW Fair Trading under the mutual recognition system. 

If you’re qualified internationally, you can enquire with NSW Fair Trading to check if you’re eligible to apply for your license. However, you’ll most likely be referred to an RPL organisation like Qualify Me! to confirm your skills and experience before applying for your licence.

How long does the RPL kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation course take?

It can take up to six weeks from application to approval. In the first two weeks, we’ll collect evidence to prove your experience; then, we’ll pass your information over to one of our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) partners, who will assess your skills and knowledge for each unit of competency. 

RTOs can take up to four weeks to award your qualification. However, in most cases, we can reduce your total wait time to just four weeks.

How Do I Apply For My Kitchen, Bathroom And Laundry Licence After The RPL Program?

Once you’ve been awarded your nationally recognised certificate, you’ll need to collect the following:

• Details of any past or current licences or certificates you hold
• An original copy of your trade qualification and your nationally recognised RPL certificate
• Details of your employment and experience
• Details of any past compliance issues, insolvency matters, or criminal offences (if applicable)
• One passport size photo
• Proof of identity

You’ll also need to complete an application form, an application checklist, and an additional detail form/s if applicable.

You can lodge your application and pay your licence fee at your local Service NSW centre. Find out what fees apply in your circumstances here.

Next Steps: Free Skills Assessment

Think you’ve got the skills, knowledge, and experience to qualify for the kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation licence in NSW?

Take our free skills assessment to see if you’re eligible for our RPL program, or contact us for more information.

Are you wondering how to receive plumbing licensing in NSW, Australia?

If you are, then you should know there's a combination of training, certifications, and apprenticeships to take to become a plumber. If you want to work with gas fittings, plumbing, and drainage, you will have to learn new skills to understand how plumbing works.

Becoming a licensed plumber in NSW is different from other states in Australia, so you must take specific courses meant for this area.

Continue reading to find out the necessary steps to take to gain plumbing licensing in NSW.

What Are the Qualifications to Receive Your Plumbing Licence in NSW

If you hope to get a plumbing license in NSW, you must first get a certificate III in Plumbing qualification. The training course also consists of specific subjects and electives that help the student to become trained in a particular trade. In addition, individuals will also get real-life experience working as an apprentice with a supervisor on the various aspects of plumbing.

What Are the Different Kinds of Plumbing Licences

Applicants for a plumbing licence in NSW can choose from a range of different specialisations. The following are examples of specialist jobs: RBL plumbing, gas fitting, and draining. Below are the main types of plumbing licenses you

 Licensed Plumbing Supervisor 

A person with this license can supervise and perform the plumbing work listed on the certificate. As a supervisor, you will have to determine the cost of plumbing problems, obtain materials necessary to complete the job and make stretches for plumbing layouts. With this license, individuals can only hire others to work for them, not companies. 

Endorsed Licensed Contractor 

Those who obtain an endorsed contractor licence have the right to hire individual plumbers. Therefore, it is necessary to meet the qualifications, experience, and skills associated with obtaining this license. 

Someone with a plumbing licence working as a contractor will work with new construction and remodel old plumbing. You will also handle plumbing dealing with a water supply and septic systems. A licensed, endorsed contractor can also perform qualified supervisory work. 

Tradesperson Certificate

With a tradespeople certificate, a person can perform work such as plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting. You can also install, repair, and maintain water and sewer lines as a plumber with a tradesperson certificate. In addition, installing pipes for sprinkler systems or assembling ductwork and plumbing parts may be a part of the job.

However, they cannot sign off on work without supervision. Therefore, someone with a supervisor's or contractor's licence will be required to supervise and sign off any individual's work.

What Steps Should I Take if I Want to Specialise in a Particular Area of Plumbing

If there's a specific area of plumbing you would like to specialise in, then it will require you to take certain plumbing qualifications. Below are the requirements for some plumbing license specialisation.

Plumbing, Gas Fitting, and Drainage

As a licensed plumber who is certified to work in these three areas, you will work with the water plumbing supply system, sewage, wastewater management, and sanitary plumbing. You will need a plumbing certificate III or work under a supervisor plumber during an apprenticeship to specialise.

Water Plumbing

A licensed plumber who specialises in water plumbing works with water supply systems. They also work with pipes and fittings connecting to water mains and sewage or wastewater systems. You will need a plumbing certificate III or gain experience from an apprenticeship to specialise in water plumbing.

Water Plumbing for Fire Protection Systems

Someone who has a plumbing license and specialises in fire protection systems may also work within the fire service. Often people who work within the fire service work with the plumbing and drainage systems.

For example, you will need to know how to work with the fire sprinkler system and be able to connect to the water mains. For you to specialise within this area, you will need a certificate III in fire protection or gain experience in an apprenticeship.

Water Plumbing in Urban Irrigation

Someone with plumbing licensing in NSW will work on the irrigation systems within the urban environments. You will install water lines to homes and businesses, inspect water systems, and fix plumbing issues. To specialise in this area, you will need to receive a certificate ll in urban irrigation.

You can also take the route of specialising within the areas of drainage and gas fitting work. For example, someone with licensing plumbing who specialises in drainage will remove and clean the wastewater from a house or business.

A licensed plumber who specialises in gas fitting will install, extend, and repair gas systems. If you would like to specialise in drainage work or gas fitting work, you will need to receive a certificate III take the suitable courses for it, and gain experience through an apprenticeship.

How Do I Apply for the Plumbing Licensing in NSW

After you undertake your required plumbing qualifications, such as CPC40920 - Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services, you may obtain your plumbing licence by completing an application and paying their fees to Service NSW. Below are the details and forms necessary for those who wish to obtain a plumbing licence in NSW:

• The application form and checklist
• Current and previous plumbing licenses details
• Originals of any certifications and qualifications, for example, any apprenticeships you have completed
• Work experience and employment details 
• Details of criminal offences or insolvency
• Proof of identity or passport picture

You should also keep in mind the fees and payment when trying to receive a plumbing licence. The amount you pay depends on how long you would want to be a licence for.   

Receiving a plumbing licence is the best thing you can do to turn yourself from an employee into a business person. Read more here if you would like to read how tradesman coach Dale has helped someone else turn into a skilled business person.

What About Migrant Plumbers and RPL in Plumbing

If you're migrating to Australia wishing to gain a plumbing license, you will need to receive a Plumber skills assessment and Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR). You will need the plumbing skills assessment for your visa application and the OTSR to obtain your provisional license. 

Keep in mind you can only work under supervision with a provisional licence. You must find a Plumber employer after receiving your provisional license so you can work for them as a Plumber for 12 months. After this step, you can start on your Plumber GAP Training program.

Also, there are different requirements for each state and territory in Australia to take to receive your plumbing license. Therefore, you should contact the NSW Office of Fair Trading to apply for your Plumber provisional license.

The next step is to gain your RPL in plumbing, which we at Qualify Me can help you with. You don't know what an RPL is? It stands for Recognition of Prior Learning, and our course enables you to turn your prior skills in plumbing into becoming nationally accredited by Australia. 

It is excellent for those from another country who want to utilise their plumbing skills within the NSW area. We take the time to look at your prior experiences and qualifications to help prevent you from having to retake training you may have already received. 

After you receive your RPL in plumbing, you will be able to apply for your NSW plumbing license. Of course, we have a blog post on how an RPL can elevate your career. Come read out how here.

How Much Can I Make With My Plumbing Licensing in NSW

We know you are wondering how much you can make as a plumber within the NSW area. According to Indeed, someone with a plumbing licensing can make $42 an hour at least. This figure increases sharply if you are a sole trader who sub contracts or own your own plumbing business.

As you can see, earning a skilled trade can be a better investment than attending college to earn a degree. However, when you attend college, you will have to spend four years or more to receive a degree. Also, you will rank in a large amount of college debt that you will have to spend most of your life paying back.

When you receive a trade skill, you spend less amount of money and time than on a college degree. So, if you prefer not to attend college and would still like to work in a profession that requires skill, then consider a trade. Just think about how much you can make with an RPL in plumbing!

Now You Know How to Receive Your Plumbing Licensing in NSW

Since you know how to gain your plumbing licensing in NSW, there's only one thing to do now. It's time to get the ball rolling and take the necessary steps to become a licensed plumber in Australia.

If you need help with your plumbing licensing in Victoria, then contact Qualify Me today!

As we slowly (but surely) head into warmer weather, a lot of Australians are exploring the option of renovating their homes. But just how much money should you set aside to give your humble abode a facelift? Let’s break it down.

The Housing Industry of Australia (HIA) revealed that more than half of all renovations completed in Australia will cost between $40-$200k. Annually, Australians spend a whopping $32 billion renovating their homes, with that figure set to rise by 8.4% in 2020. 

So where do you start when it comes to renovating your home? 

Determine your budget

First things first: determine your scope of work and budget. Research materials, appliances as well as the finishes and fittings you want in your home. Then move onto timelines and material costs. The more research you do, the better off you’ll be. Remember that if you fall into the trap of over capitalising on your home it will only increase your loss. 

Get some quotes 

It’s imperative that you get a number of quotes from contractors - don’t be afraid to shop around. Once you get all your quotes you can compare before committing. Disclaimer: be sure to do your research on each of the contractors you engage with - Google reviews and social media platforms can be a lifesaver. 

Get inspired 

Social media sites such as Instagram and Pinterest are a goldmine when it comes to finding inspiration for your home makeover, so get searching. 

Plan ahead

It’s also important to add a buffer to your budget of 10-15%. Older homes may require additional work such as termite damage and wood rot, so when the time comes make sure you have a little additional cash to splash. 

Now that you’re set to renovate the home of your dreams, let’s take a closer look at how much a renovation project could cost you, along with some budget-saving options. 

Kitchen renovations 

Kitchen renovations will cost you anywhere from $30-$40k, according to Houzz who reported that almost a third are spending more than $40K. The website also claims that a third of home owners said their kitchen renovation led to a healthier lifestyle (win, win!). 

On a budget:

• Stick to the same kitchen layout - remember moving the plumbing and walls will cost you big
• Re-use your appliances by giving them a facelift with a gentle cleaner 
• Painting a room can make the oldest of rooms look brand new 
• You can give your cabinets a makeover with a lick of paint or simply replace the doors, drawer fronts and hardware for a third of the cost. 
• A new benchtop can be replaced with low cost options or resurface them with a bunch of clever new products available at your hardware store. 
• Giving your splashback an update with tile paint 
• Renewing powerpoints and light fittings are relatively inexpensive but can make the world of difference. 

Bathroom renovations 

When it comes to bathrooms, this will no doubt be the most labour-intensive part of renovating your home. 

You can expect to pay between $5-$15k for minor renovations using budget materials and fittings. A mid-level renovation will cost you between $15-25k, while a more elaborate bathroom renovation with luxury materials and fittings will cost you upwards of $25k. 

Serviceseeking.com.au quotes the average bathroom renovation in NSW costing $26,000 while the same in Queensland will cost $12,000. 

On a budget:

• If the fittings and fixtures are in fighting form then there’s no need to change them. Fixtures can be very expensive, so if they ain’t broke, don’t fix them. 
• New plumbing is pricey so using an existing water supply will save you big bucks.
• Also if you’re a bit of a handyperson, you may want to consider saving money on labour costs by doing some of the work yourself. 

Living room renovations 

Living rooms are one area we renovate to impress, so there’s no it's no shock that what is perhaps the most visible room in the house costs between 10-15k to revamp.

On a budget:

• A fresh coat of paint on the wall will do wonders for a room, you can even create the illusion of more space if you choose the right colour.
• New flooring can be relatively inexpensive and completely transform a room. 
• How you layout your furniture can make a big impact on how your room feels. Looking at sleeker furniture options can do wonders. 

Bedroom renovations

Bedroom renovations will cost between $2-$35k, and will all depend on how grand a facelift you want for your boudoir. For example, if you add an ensuite into the mix, then you’re looking at a heftier price tag. 

On a budget:

• Give your room a splash of colour with some paint, which is a great budget-friendly way to add some flare. A wallpaper feature wall could also add an inexpensive yet striking feature.
• Recarpeting the floor using a low-cost nylon carpet comes in at A$30sqm whilst wool carpets will cost at A$60sqm.
• A freestanding wardrobe can work as a treat to tackle storage requirements. On the flip side you can add a built-in wardrobe that will maximise the use of floor to ceiling space. This feature will set you back A$1,600.

Outdoor area renovations 

Outdoor areas can often make or break the sale of a home, so renovations can command a budget of around $10,000 according to Houzz, however, some homeowners double that spend at $20,000. 

On a budget:

• If you have a patio intact, you can add some affordable furniture, some subtle lighting and a BBQ space. 
• Sans a patio you also have the option of adding some decking to maximise the indoor outdoor flow.
• And last but certainly not least, don’t be afraid to add some much needed greenery to your deck. 

Make sure to hire licensed and recognised builders before you proceed with a project. Or if you are a builder see if your current skills can fast track you to a more painter career by heading to Qualify Me Australias leading RPL provider.

Did you know that, according to the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment, RPL a recognition of the existing knowledge and skills a student has gained through prior training or life or work experience?

If you’re thinking of getting an RPL—short for Recognition of Prior Learning—then you may be wondering whether it’s right for you.

After all, getting an RPL will take a bit of work on your end. Is it worth putting in the time and effort to earn this qualification? Not having this answer to this question can leave you feeling unsure or stressed about making the decision.

There are many ways you can get ahead in your job role and industry, whether you have an electrical, building inspection, tree lopping, plumbing career or anything in between.

In this article, we’ll review all the benefits of RPL. That way, you can decide whether this qualification is right for you.

Finally, you can use all the experience you’ve gained in your career so far to become even more successful, getting better roles and earning more money.

1. More Access for “Non-Traditional” Students

One of the benefits of getting an RPL is that there’s more access for “non-traditional” students. By this, we mean people who may have not had the opportunity to do further study. Many people have gone straight into working without getting an education.

Whether they’re digital marketers, business lawyers, or pre purchase building inspectors, many people who have worked a long time in these industries want to move their career forward by getting qualifications that can get them better, higher-paying roles.

However, they often find that they don’t have the education required to get these qualifications.

If you’ve been struggling with this situation, then there’s a solution: getting the RPL. Even if you’re lacking a formal education, your career and life can get an instant boost for which you’ve been waiting for so long.

This is whether you’re a successful business person, a well-qualified social worker, and so on. You know you have what it takes, all you need is access. You’ll get this with RPL.

2. Acknowledges the Value of Learning Outside a Formal Setting

When it comes to the benefits of RPL, one of them is that this qualification acknowledges the value of learning outside a formal setting. By this we mean, this qualification values and recognises learning that happens in the workplace.

For example, if you’ve worked in the electrical trade, there are many things that you learn on the job.

These might include how to set up electrical wiring in a home or replacing sockets that have come loose and are a fire hazard.

When you perform these parts of your role, you’re following all the necessary security measures legally required.

You have these skills, but without an RPL, you can’t show that you have them to a future employer.

This is why an RPL is so effective. It acknowledges the value of what you’ve learned, after which you can identify missing skills and gaps you have to fill to reach the high point of life.

You’ll also improve with further learning tasks to achieve the requirements of the particular job or qualification you’re going for.

3. Validates the Worth of the Learning Students Have Achieved by Themselves

One of the other benefits of RPL is that it validates the worth of the learning students have achieved by themselves. This is useful because this makes it easier for you candidates to be promoted or find a new career of their choice faster.

Without RPL, if you wanted to change roles or start a new career, you’d have to spend years learning skills at a trades school—skills you already know you have.

When you have skills you’ve achieved on your own, you feel confident about the particular work you can do in the role you’re applying for.

With RPL, you don’t need to have a formal education to demonstrate this to your employers.

This is why the RPL is beneficial for those who need formal education for their career growth but who already have achieved this by themselves with experience.

4. Enables Students to Progress to Other Education or Training Programmes

When a student has the RPL, it enables them to progress to other education or training programmes. It is a quick pathway to the higher TAFE qualification or a university degree. If you’ve been thinking about going back to school, this can make the process much easier.

Whether you want a painting RPL, building RPL, or any other RPL qualification you can earn your stripes through any RPL organisation such as Qualify Me!

As you likely already have many of the required skills, it won’t take too much time or effort to earn your qualification.

Once you’ve done this, you can go on to complete studies in many educational institutions in Australia.

5. Eliminates Unnecessary Repetition and Duplication of Material Already Familiar to Students

Additionally, the RPL eliminates unnecessary repetition and duplication of material already familiar to the students. As a result, this reduces the unnecessary education and training that the candidate doesn’t want and already has in him or her.

This is because the course is quick, easy, and fruitful. When you start your RPL, you’ll meet with someone who will take a look at what skills you already have.

Then, they’ll document how this experience adds up to what you need to earn the qualification. Sometimes, this will include video documentation of you completing tasks.

If there are any areas where you have to improve, this is the only additional work you’ll have to complete. This helps participants re-enter the workplace with better knowledge.

Then, you’ll be well on your way to earning your RPL and completely improving your career.

This is especially helpful if you’re an immigrant who has prior work experience in your home country or a qualification that isn’t usable in Australia. The RPL improves the international immigration and visa process.

6. Shortens the Time Necessary to Earn a Qualification

Getting an RPL also shortens the time necessary to earn a qualification. This motivates students who might otherwise be discouraged by the length required to complete a college-level course or a particular programme of study.

It can feel daunting, if you’ve been working for a long time but haven’t been back to school in a while, to have to go back to the classroom.

Additionally, enrolment in a course that takes a lot of time and commitment is not only a big investment of your time but also keeps you from being able to work as much as you want to.

The RPL is the perfect solution. You can still earn a qualification that improves your career whilst not giving up too much time or money.

7. Enhances Students’ Pride and Self-Esteem for What They Have Accomplished As Learners

Too often, people who work in industries such as construction, electric services, and painting do not have enough pride or self-esteem for what they do. Because these are seen as “working class” industries, it’s easy to see less value in them.

However, nothing could be farther from the truth. These are careers that require both hard work and high intelligence.

When students start working on their RPL qualification, they are able to see how much they have accomplished as learners on the job.

They’ll see that there’s value to every skill they’ve learned and every achievement they’ve accomplished. As a result, their pride and self-esteem for what they have accomplished as learners will be enhanced.

8. Enhances Students’ Perception and Understanding of Learning as Lifelong Process

Finally, the RPL enhances students’ perception and understanding of learning as a lifelong process. When they’re earning the RPL, they see that everything they have learned at work is worthy of the qualification they’re going to earn.

They come to understand that, throughout their lives, they have been learning worthwhile skills.

Then, when they complete the RPL, they’ll add additional skills so that they can earn the qualification.

This might inspire them to go on to continue complementary studies or to learn more skills on the job in new, more challenging roles. This will set up those with an RPL to be learners for life.

Getting the RPL

Now that you’ve learned about the 8 benefits of RPL, you might need additional information. Maybe you want to learn about what’s required for you to do to earn the RPL qualification. Or maybe you want to find out where you can get the RPL.

Whatever information you need, we can help. At Qualify Me, we’re experts when it comes to the RPL. We also offer the RPL qualification. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us now.

Recently, you may have been thinking of switching careers or moving on to a better role with another company. However, as you’ve looked at job adverts, you’ve noticed that many of them require you to have a degree that you don’t have.

This can be a frustrating position to be in. You know that you have the skills you need to move forward in life, but you don’t have a way to prove it.

It’s like you’ve been held back at no fault of your own. Fortunately, there is a solution: the RPL.

With an RPL, also known as a recognition of prior learning, you can get a certificate that demonstrates the skills and work experience you already have.

However, you may not be sure about getting an RPL certificate or how much you’ll have to work to get it.

That’s why we’ve put together this article. In it, you’ll learn everything you need to about why getting an RPL in Australia can change your career for the better. Finally, you can switch careers or get your dream job. Read on to learn more.

The Prime Quality Assurance Body to Measure Recognition of Prior Learning RPL

When you have the experience that gives you the same skills that you would get from formal learning—for example, at a TAFE college—it’s only fair that you are able to show those skills to a potential employer. This is what the RPL does.

When a prime quality assurance body misuses RPL, by only taking seriously other types of credentials, they are being discriminatory.

Part of why the RPL is so beneficial is that it serves a social purpose. It opens up access, for people who wouldn’t otherwise have it, to advanced educational programs.

In addition to providing the learner with the ability to improve themselves, it bolsters the economic and social growth of the nation where this certification is recognised.

For this reason, prime quality assurance bodies that put artificial preconditions and limits on the RPL aren’t helpful.

If they allow people with the RPL certificate to be able to continue studying but don’t count it as a qualification, they are doing a disservice.

After all, the RPL is an internationally recognised credential. For this reason, and RPL should be considered to be in equal standing with any credentials that have been gained through formal learning.

When you receive a qualification, it’s evidence of learning and knowledge. It shouldn’t make a difference how you got this learning knowledge once you have it.

Fortunately, in some countries, prime quality assurance bodies recognise the RPL. In these countries, they have a sophisticated process in place that makes it easy for different groups of people to get RPLs for certain sets of skills.

If you earn an RPL in one of these countries, you can gain access to many advantages. Let’s review them now.

How RPL Will Help You When Switching Careers

When you’re making a big career switch, or changing to a very different type of role in the company where you’re already working, you’ll find that this can be an incredibly difficult transition. First of all, there’s the anxiety you feel about going into something new.

Additionally, it’s easy to wonder whether this is actually the best choice for you in the long term. You might be asking yourself, “What if this is actually a step in the wrong direction?”

You’ll also have to worry about all the training you’ll have to take part in so you can understand how to fulfil all the new responsibilities of your new role.

This is where an RPL comes in. With the recognition of a prior learning certificate, you’ll be able to meet all the requirements needed for a large number of roles in a variety of professions.

This certificate will show that your skills are certified, as well as your experiences.

Even if you have gained these skills and experiences at work and not in traditional academic, coaching, and educational facilities, they’ll still count in your new employer’s eyes.

It’s the perfect method to show that you’ve learned a lot, but in the real world instead of in the classroom.

Considering that there are many professions where skill and experience matter much more than education, this can be a good thing.

For example, if you work fixing HVAC units, then ten years of experience doing this is just as (if not more) impressive than having a degree from a technical school.

If your future employer requires you to have a degree or certification, then you can easily earn your RPL and switch to a new career or position.

How RPL Will Help You Elevate Your Career Path

An RPL can also help you elevate your career path. If you want to move forward and get a better role than the one you currently have, having this degree can demonstrate that you are capable of getting that role. You have the experience as well as the qualification.

Future employers will appreciate the time you have taken to complete your certification.

Others may require it. Even though they may be impressed by your experience, they may not be able to hire you legally until you have a certification like the RPL.

Additionally, if you’ve been feeling stuck during your career path, you can elevate yourself and get better roles once you have the RPL.

This is because, by putting work into your RPL, you can prove that you have the experience and skills needed for those roles.

The RPL can also be helpful for immigrants who want to get roles in foreign countries. If you’re a migrant worker in Australia, and your foreign qualification isn’t recognised, then you can easily change this by getting the RPL.

This is usually the most cost-effective and fastest way to get a qualification in your area of expertise if you’re a migrant who wants to start working fast in Australia.

Why Qualification Is Important In This Day and Time

When you’re applying for a new role, the skills you have are some of the most important factors hiring managers will take into consideration. So regardless of your actual ability, employers need to see that you have these skills.

When a potential boss is speaking with you about why you’re the right fit for the role, simply assuring them that you have the skills required isn’t enough anymore. After all, they have to take you at your word.

However, when you have a certification, you don’t have this problem.

When you have a qualification, you can demonstrate to your potential employer that your skills are backed by a reputable, formal acknowledgement that is backed by a respectable association or body.

In a world where the economy is so unstable and where different sectors and industries are changing so quickly, employers are looking for potential hires who can show them a professional certification or technological qualification.

However, many of these qualifications and certifications take a long time to get. 

This is why the RPL is so important. With it, you can prove all this to your potential employer—but you won’t have to put in too much time because you’ve done most of the work already.

Learning Evidence

When you’re completing an RPL, you’re usually working side by side with an assessor during the process. For your assessor to grant you the RPL certification, they need to collect some data that are related to the skills and work experience you’ve had over the years.

This is so that you meet the requirements for being able to perform tasks in your industry—and so that, eventually, you have the credits you need to earn your RPL qualification.

This collected data is a portfolio that demonstrates a lot about your prior work experience and skills.

It might be made up of personal references from clientele and administrators, customer feedback, group proposal work, volunteer work, optional lessons you’ve taken, work examples, and pre-existing qualifications.

In addition to providing your assessor with this portfolio, you’ll likely be asked to provide actual evidence of you carrying out the functions related to the tasks for the specific RPL certification you’re getting.

This could be video evidence, for example, of you performing a technical task at work.

Once you have done this demonstration and provided your assessor with your portfolio, you can get credits that will make up part of your RPL.

Once you’ve built up enough credits, you’ll save both time and money when getting a new role or starting a new career.

Need More Information?

Now that you’ve learned about how the RPL qualification can change your career for the better, you might need additional information. Maybe you want to learn about how to plan for getting your RPL.

Or maybe you want to find a qualification service that you can earn your RPL through.

Whatever information you need, we can help. At QualifyMe, we’re experts when it comes to the RPL and other qualifications. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us now.

Convincing Customers

In a highly saturated market, presenting a competitive point of difference, such as offering consumers the best value for their money, is crucial. While it’s easy to be of the belief that your product is far better than your competitors’, being able to explain to potential customers the reason that they are paying top dollar for your service may prove difficult. 

“Don’t just price up a job, chuck your price in the ring and hope for the best. That’s not the right way to do it,” says Small Fish’ Jon Dale. 

Dale refers to the common perception that people think, “oh, yeh the same stuff, only cheaper.”

However, Dale argues, “it might be cheaper, but generally speaking (particularly in your industry), if somebody’s considerably cheaper than you, something’s different along the way. They’re going to use cheaper materials and components.”

Often, emphasising the value you offer is in response to another business undercutting you or providing a similar service at a much lower price. 

While customers typically look for the cheapest price, according to Dale, it’s obvious that you’re taking short cuts if you charge too little. 

“You compromise quality,” he says. “ [The customers] bought cheap and sh*tty cabinets rather than good quality ones, and in the end, the customers are going to pay for that. [Cheaper competitors] cut corners on the job when they’re trying to work to a price.”

While lower prices might be one way to attract business, when you ultimately provide a poor product, customers aren’t likely to return.

Further, “undercutting means lower margins for the electrical contractor…if you’ve got low margins and not much cash around, it’s very easy for you to go under,” Dale continues. 

Dale argues the ownership is on you to educate potential customers on what a good product should cost and that they get what they pay for. Not only will the competitor who is undercutting your business skip steps, there’s also the risk that they may go under and not complete the job — it’s your responsibility to point out that small — margin tradies are unreliable and your project is at risk. 

This is all part of your marketing and sales strategy – showing the value you offer, the attention to detail in your work and the risk of going with your competitors.

Looking to start your own business? Head to Qualify Me! to see how a tradesman coach like Dale can give you the keys to success.

Marketing

During the initial stages of launching your own business, creating a brand that customers trust and recognise is half the battle. Unfortunately, when you first establish yourself in the market, spreading the word about your exciting new business can be tough. Not only do you not want to blow your tight budget on expensive advertising campaigns, but there’s also a risk that your billboard and flyers won’t actually convert to paying customers.

Instead, opting for an earned advertisement, such as word-of-mouth marketing is often a more effective and less costly approach to building a loyal customer base and reputable brand foundations.

Word-of-mouth marketing isn’t just a great form of inexpensive and organic advertisement, it’s also a testament to the quality of your service and a good indication that you’ll receive recurring business. 

It also brings about a higher conversion of leads – not only are people talking about your business, they’re spreading the word because they’re vouching for the quality of product or service.

However, while Small Fish’ Jon Dale concedes it’s a nice advertising tool to have, ultimately it won’t help you scale up, especially at the speeds you’ll want to grow.

“Word-of-mouth will not drive your business larger and give you the money and the resources to grow and scale on its own,” says Dale.

“You need to do very different types of marketing…for now, word-of mouth is good for you. If you’re ambitious, you need a bit more.”

Dale likens word-of-mouth to a “karmic reward for doing a good job.” 

“You do a good job, people refer you to their friends, people come knocking on your door…Beautiful, but you can’t control it and you can’t drive it and if you want to grow faster than that organic, lovely, slower way, you’re going to have to do marketing.”

Another hurdle that you may encounter is that word-of-mouth marketing casts a very small net, which means you’re not reaching potential customers who need your service and if you do, it might be too late. 

Looking to start your own business? Head to Qualify Me! to see how a tradesman coach like Dale can give you the keys to success.

For many tradies looking to take the step from employee to business owner, being your own boss and having overnight success is a large part of the appeal of starting a company. 

Sure, we’d all like the freedom of calling the shots and leaving behind an empire or legacy, But Rome wasn’t built in a day. And much like starting a tradie business, you need to lay the foundations of time, resources and money before you start to reap the rewards.

Small Fish Jon Dale, who spends a large part of his time mentoring tradies who are starting their own business, likens the process to training an apprentice or a new employee. 

“When you start an apprentice, they don’t know anything and you’ve got to invest a lot of time and energy and effort into teaching them and training them so they become good tradespeople,” he says.

“Even when you hire new tradespeople who are experienced, they’re going to take a bit of time to settle in. They’re going to take a bit of time to learn where everything is, how you do everything in this business, and learn your systems and your structures - the ones you’ve built so that they are functioning and a useful member of your team.”

To ensure onboarding is smooth - much like the early days of building your business - Dale suggests the use of ‘systems,’ a concept he praised regularly in his coaching.

“It’s important that they follow your systems and structures, and they don’t just go out there and do everything their way,” he continues.

“That’s how you stay a team and it can give your customers a consistent result irrespective of which tradesperson shows up to do a job.”

Putting in important structures is another example of investing time now to see the benefits long term. Even spending money doesn’t necessarily bring results straight away.

Looking to start your own business? Head to Qualify Me! to see how a tradesman coach like Dale can give you the keys to success.

Everyone wants to run a big booming business, dominate the industry and see their name on the cover of Forbes. But most businesses, not just in the trade sector, start from humble beginnings - think tech giants such as Amazon whose founders built the business from the ground up – starting with a bit of spare change, and working out of a quiet corner in their garage. 

While you might have been fortunate enough to start your business from a small office space, as opposed to a garage, chances are you’ve found yourself with the same big ideas.

So what happens when your small team starts to expand? No doubt you’ve found yourself in limbo – you’re neither Apple nor a lemonade stand – so how do you establish where you sit on the scale of small to big business?

First, it’s important to differentiate between the two.

“When you’re small, there’s only a few of you, overheads are very low, you probably work from home, you can all talk to each other all the time, systems aren’t as necessary because you’re all there, helping each other out,” says Small Fish’ Jon Dale. 

“You can cope, you can manage the workload and the stress load, and the number of things you need to think about.”

Meanwhile, according to Dale, big businesses require a more systematic approach, with a higher level of staff. Dale also emphasises the importance of having a a number of well-oiled machines operating:

 Marketing machine
 Sales machine
 Operations machine
 Back office machine
 The people running those machines
 You overseeing

In that transition period from start-up to big player, there’s a stressful period where you don’t quite have the systems in place to manage the change in workload. 

“In between, when those machines aren’t quite built, but it’s too big, and there’s too much going on for you to be holding it all in your head, it’s a bit hard to work,” Dale continues.

“So that transition from small to big goes through a difficult patch at the period of stress and work and pressure when you really need to push on through to the beautiful other side and it’s hard work.”

When any business expands, you’re ultimately going to face a period of growth that’s hard to keep up with. However, maintaining momentum will help you shift from ambitious start-up to booming business. 

Looking to start your own business? Head to Qualify Me! to see how a tradesman coach like Dale can give you the keys to success.

Whether it’s a yearly performance check-up or touching base after a big job, reviewing your employee’s work is crucial to maintaining a high standard and helping them grow in the role.

And while the pressure is on your employee to demonstrate their competency, it’s also your responsibility to come prepared with important questions which will gauge their progress.

Before giving feedback, according to Small Fish’ Jon Dale, it’s important to get an understanding of how your employee feels in the job.

“Prepare questions in advance, send them to your employee and ask them to provide their answers in time for the review meeting,” says Dale.

“You [should] also spend some time answering the same question - how do you think they’re performing? In the review, you can both review their view and your view of how they’re doing.”

Dale suggests a list of questions for your review, that can help identify the employee’s needs, their own self-evaluation of their performance, as well as where they see themselves in the short and long term.

Dale suggests the following as a starting point for your discussion points: 

 “How do you think you’re going, generally, in your job?”
 “What things do you think you do well?”
 “What things don’t you think you do well or what could you get better at?” 
 “What do you need to work on to get better at them?” 
 “How could we help you get better at those things?” 
 “What training or support do you think you need to help you do your job better?”
 “What are your hopes or ambitions for your job or career here?” 
 “What do you need to work on to help you realise those ambitions or progress your career?” 
 “How can we help you with that?” 
 “What feedback could you give me about my role here? What could I do better/how could we make it easier for you to do your job well?”

When you compare your employee’s self-reflection and your own views, “you get to see if you agree - if their self-assessment is honest or insightful or they don’t know what they’re doing well and not,” Dale continues.

“If they get it, you’ll agree, if not, you’ll have to correct their view, won’t you? Or agree to differ to come to some compromise or change your view.”

In your meeting, you can also note all the work they’ve done well, while putting in a plan to see them progress. Typically, your first conduct review will be a check-in, while your proceeding catch ups should be an opportunity to compare their work year on year.

Another important consideration is coming to an agreement on what needs to be done better and how your employee can improve the outlook of their career trajectory. Writing this down on paper gives you a reference point for your next catch up to see whether any challenges are being taken in their stride.

While feedback is important, Dale suggests steering away from a scoring system. “It’s likely to cause ill-feeling and negative comparison. We don’t give a score in our business,” he says. “If you feel the need, consider a - good, okay, need improvement scoring system.”

Finally, Dale reminds us that this isn’t an opportunity to point out flaws in your employee’s work. 

“It should be a pleasant experience.” However, “If it’s not, if the employee is a poor performer and not trying to improve, you have to consider performance management, which is something else.”

Looking to start your own business? Head to Qualify Me! to see how a tradesman coach like Dale can give you the keys to success.

The following information is general in nature. Please consult with a financial professional before making any important investment decisions. 

While securing your finances remains an important consideration, there’s a different element of your future that’s come into the fray: ethical interests. No longer are we only interested in strong returns and attractive bank balances, we also want to do our part to protect the world and meet our social obligations. 

In the current climate, our social and environmental needs are just as important as the financial reward when it comes to choosing our super fund. In recent years, more and more superannuation funds have popped up promising to deliver strong results while also ensuring that their money is funding ethical projects and steering away from potentially environmentally damaging outcomes. 

What are the main ethical superannuation funds?

If you’re looking for a fund that focuses on not just your own future but the future of others and generations to come, it’s easy to find one that’s as kind with your wallet as they are on the planet. According to Money Magazine and a study conducted by the Responsible Investment Association of Australia (RIAA), these are the top 14 responsible investment superannuations:

1. Australian Ethical
2. AustralianSuper
3. Crescent Wealth
4. CareSuper
5. Cbus
6. Christian Super
7. First State Super
8. Future Fund
9. Future Super
10. HESTA
11. Local Government Super
12. NZ Super Fund
13. Unisuper
14. VicSuper
15. Vision Super

Considerations included environment, governance and ethical factors. But most interestingly, responsible investments outperformed the average return of the total pool of superannuations used in the study. 

RIAA’s number one choice, Australian Ethical has three main pillars:

1. Planet: “Every decision is made with empathy and compassion for the planet and all those that inhabit it.”
2. People: “Environmental and social concerns need to be given equal weight to financial outcomes.”
3. Animals: “We do not invest in anything that is unnecessarily harmful to animals.”

Australian Ethical’s key objectives are typical of responsible superannuation funds, focusing on the planet and the people. 

Pros of ethical investing

Whether you’re choosing a super fund that invests in ethical projects or your own investment choices are made with social issues in mind, you can rest easy knowing your money is going to a greener and sustainable future. 
 
While it’s a great feeling knowing your investments aren’t doing more harm than good, your money is also going towards driving social change. For example, your funds might go towards an up and coming company that is working on sustainable energy. Not only can you profit from this company, you can also contribute to fighting climate change. 

Cons of ethical investing

Although your money is working more responsibly and you have the future in mind, your returns might not be as attractive as picking other funds or investments. By sticking to ethical and responsible companies, you limit yourself to the projects available. 
 
Some top-tier companies on the ASX might also not have the best track record when it comes to sustainability and social issues, so you’ll miss out on any large returns that they may achieve. 
 
Finally, if you choose to invest directly in ASX companies rather than through a managed fund, you’ll also find yourself spending a little more time researching the company’s strategy and whether they meet the criteria for your ethical standards. 
 
Making responsible investments is the easy part – choosing between attractive returns and doing your bit for the planet is the hard part. 

Looking to learn more about key business decisions? Head to Qualify Me! to see how you can progress your career and grow your company.

While showcasing your new business and establishing a point of difference in the market is crucial, if your customer isn’t willing to fork out the cost of your service, your business is invaluable. After all, that’s what can separate you apart from other competition, especially in a congested market. 

When it comes to delivering a quote, there are a couple of options to ensure that you give your client an accurate but fair estimate.

Cost Plus Pricing

“With cost plus, you (can) give your customer an estimate of the cost of the job (or you might not, it’s not necessarily part of the deal) but what they pay is how long it took at your hourly rate and materials and subcontractors plus your margin,” says Small Fish’ Jon Dale.

In this particular scenario, the client pays for the length of time it takes you to complete the job, as well as the materials used. It’s a low-risk method for the business and is common for jobs that are hard to price. 

However, you still need to give a rough but accurate estimate. If you underquote and the job ends up costing far more, the client won’t be happy and might even try to contest the final fee. Which in turn can damage your business reputation as one that over-charges or rips off its customers.

Fixed Price Quoting

“Fixed price quoting, on the other hand, has you commit yourself to a fixed price for the job. You have to estimate how long it will take, allow for how much stuff you’ll have to buy and how much you’ll have to pay any subcontractors and then, commit to doing the job for that amount,” says Dale.

When it comes to a job that’s difficult to estimate, this can prove terrifying and your budget may blow out – unfortunately, it’s up to you to cover any unexpected costs.

Which is best?

Well according to Dale, there’s only one right way: fixed price costing. Dale suggests that having a price in mind for the job brings certainty to the client – they know what they’re getting into and you don’t have to face any awkwardness should the job take longer than expected. 

“The problem lies in the communication of this,” continues Dale. “It’s rare that a customer hears an estimate and understands the difference between that and a fixed price quote. It’s common for documentation to be a bit loose or almost non-existent.”

When wires get crossed, that’s when you can run into trouble.

“It leaves the door open for things to go horribly wrong, for disputes and ill-feeling, work getting done and not paid for, all that.”

Reflecting on his own experience, Dale explains how one of his clients organised an extension and renovation on a cost-plus basis. 

Although the builder estimated a similar price to the customer’s budget, he also pointed out that there may be unexpected and additional costs. 

After a verbal agreement, more expenses arose and extra remedial work was done - the customers started running out of money earlier than the construction was progressing. Because of the initial estimate, the customers were still convinced the project would only set them back the quoted amount. 

“Despite open communication about the extra cost, it didn’t end well. No testimonials from those people,” says Dale.

“A fixed price quote, with rules about variations wouldn’t have solved their budget problem but it would have made the problem obvious sooner and in writing. A solution could have been found before work was done and money spent.”
 
When it comes to choosing between the two, the choice is obvious for Dale: fixed priced quotes help manage expectations and avoid any uncomfortable conversations.

Looking to start your own business? Head to Qualify Me! to see how a tradesman coach like Dale can give you the keys to success.