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11242NAT - Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Pathway to 11242NAT Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy

ASQA Standards provide a legitimate and quality-assured mechanism for experienced practitioners to seek recognition of existing competence through RPL for the 11242NAT Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy.

This approach allows experienced practitioners to avoid unnecessarily repeating learning they can already demonstrate, while protecting the integrity of the nationally recognised qualification. RPL as an assessment process that can recognise learning acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning.

This is consistent with ASQA’s current 2025 Standards, particularly Standard 1.6 – Recognition of Prior Learning, which requires RTOs to support students with prior skills, knowledge and competencies to seek RPL and to ensure that RPL decisions are evidence-based, fair, transparent, consistent and maintain the integrity of the training product.

RPL is not a fast-track qualification
RPL is not a shortened qualification, a reduced standard or a mechanism for purchasing a qualification based on previous experience.
It is an assessment pathway that recognises existing competence where the learner can provide sufficient evidence that they already meet the requirements of the accredited course.

There is an initial enrolment fee of $150 upfront for the cost of eligibility screening.

Course Description

Process Overview
Prior learning and experience → RPL eligibility screening → evidence collection → mapping to 11242NAT → rigorous assessment → competency decision → gap training where required → completion of all outstanding requirements → issuance of the Graduate Diploma.

Course dates

DateLocation 
1 Oct 2026 – 1 Mar 2027Opengate Institute Western Sydney Richmond NSWRegister

Delivery mode

Blended – online and face to face learning

Duration

RPL is available from the point of enrolment. The duration of an individual RPL pathway is determined by the learner’s existing skills, knowledge, experience and evidence, together with the assessment and any gap-training requirements identified by the RTO. There is no prescribed ASQA timeframe for completing RPL.

The 2025 Standards deliberately give RTOs more flexibility. ASQA’s guidance says the amount of training and course duration can be adjusted according to the learner’s existing skills, knowledge and experience. RPL can therefore legitimately reduce the amount of training and potentially the duration of the program.

An example is a learner applies for RPL, they must complete the required documentation (RPL KIT) unpon enrolment. Once eligibilty screening has approved the RPL the learner will be invoiced, upon payment their student portal will become accessible for the upload of evidence, completion of assessment and certificate issuance.

RPL is self-paced. You have access to your student portal where you will upload your RPL evidence and complete your assessments.

Entry requirements

RPL eligibility framework for 11242NAT

an RPL applicant could be considered suitable for an RPL assessment pathway where the applicant demonstrates:

1. Professional eligibility
The learner meets the established entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma.

2. Relevant prior learning
The learner has undertaken substantial prior study, professional development or other learning relevant to the knowledge and skills contained within 11242NAT.

3. Relevant professional practice
The learner has sufficient professional experience to provide meaningful evidence of the practical application of relevant competencies.

4. Sandtray Therapy experience
Where RPL is being sought for Sandtray Therapy-specific competencies, the learner must demonstrate actual prior learning and practice relevant to those competencies rather than relying solely on general counselling or therapeutic experience.

5. Evidence portfolio
The learner can provide sufficient evidence for the assessor to determine competency.

6. Currency
The evidence demonstrates that the learner’s skills and knowledge remain current and applicable to contemporary professional practice.

7. Authenticity
The learner can demonstrate that the submitted evidence is their own work and reflects their actual skills and professional practice.

8. Assessment readiness
The learner is willing and able to participate in interviews, professional discussions, written assessment, practical demonstration, observation or other assessment methods required by the RTO.

9. Gap training commitment
The learner agrees to undertake additional training and assessment where the RPL assessment identifies gaps.

10. Full course completion
The learner understands that the Graduate Diploma can only be awarded after all requirements of 11242NAT have been successfully demonstrated.

RPL applicant should generally be able to demonstrate:

A suitable professional or academic background relevant to therapeutic practice, counselling, psychology, social work, education, community services, youth work or another relevant cognate discipline, consistent with the course’s entry requirements.

Assessment requirements

The key principle in assessment:

The learner does not receive the qualification because they have experience. They receive recognition because their experience and prior learning have been rigorously assessed and demonstrated to meet the requirements of the qualification. This is consistent with ASQA’s current 2025 Standards. The Graduate Diploma training package delivers 8 units of competency including learning and assessment modules/units. Learners would need to sucessfully complete the assessment units embedded within the training package as well as uploading their RPL evidence.

Course fees

  • RPL Fee: $150.00 AUD paid by Student (upfront payment)
  • RPL Unit 1: $550.00 AUD paid by Student
  • RPL Unit 2: $550.00 AUD paid by Student
  • RPL Unit 3: $550.00 AUD paid by Student
  • RPL Unit 4: $550.00 AUD paid by Student
  • RPL Unit 5: $550.00 AUD paid by Student
  • RPL Unit 6: $550.00 AUD paid by Student
  • RPL Unit 7: $550.00 AUD paid by Student
  • RPL Unit 8: $550.00 AUD paid by Student

Payment Options

Debit/Credit card payment via secure system (Stripe) as well as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Qualification

Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy 11242NAT

Units of competency

Core Units

  • CHCCSL004 – Research and apply personality and development theories
  • CHCPRP003 – Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  • CHCPRP007 – Work within a clinical supervision framework
  • NAT11242001 – Conduct Sandtray Therapy sessions
  • NAT11242002 – Conclude and monitor sessions
  • NAT11242003 – Plan and provide Sandtray Therapy in a group setting
  • NAT11242004 – Apply symbol work in Sandtray Therapy
  • NAT11242005 – Apply advanced clinical Sandtray Therapy

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