RPL for Certificate III in Light Rail Driving

Certificate III in Light Rail Driving takes 16 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for TLI31421 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 16 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you TLI31421. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what TLI31421 involves →

The 16 units you complete, chosen from these 24

You do not do all 24. Certificate III in Light Rail Driving is 13 core units, which everyone does, plus 3 chosen from the 11 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Core units — everyone does these

• TLIB0019 — Inspect, prepare and start an electric tram
• TLIC3032 — Operate and monitor a passenger electric tram
• TLIC3033 — Drive an electric tram to operational requirements
• TLIC3034 — Berth and shut down an electric tram
• TLIE0002 — Process workplace documentation
• TLIE1003 — Participate in basic workplace communication
• TLIF0008 — Apply safety critical communications in the rail environment
• TLIF0025 — Follow work health and safety procedures
• TLIF2006 — Apply accident-emergency procedures
• TLIF2010 — Apply fatigue management strategies
• TLIF4061 — Respond to electric tram-driving emergencies and abnormal situations
• TLIG0003 — Work effectively with others in a team
• TLII0005 — Apply customer service skills

Electives — you choose from these

• TLIB2001 — Check and assess operational capabilities of equipment
• TLIB3002 — Test equipment and isolate faults
• TLIC3011 — Transport passengers with disabilities
• TLID0020 — Shift materials safely using manual handling methods
• TLIE0009 — Carry out basic workplace calculations
• TLIE2007 — Use communications systems
• TLIF3058 — Apply safeworking rules and regulations to rail functions
• TLIG2007 — Work in a socially diverse environment
• TLIO0005 — Provide revenue protection measures
• TLIO3012 — Manage disruptive and/or unlawful behaviour
• TLIP0001 — Sell products and services

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate III in Driving Operations (TLI31222, 15 units)
• Certificate III in International Freight Forwarding (Operator) (TLI31321, 13 units)
• Certificate III in Mobile Crane Operations (TLI30122, 23 units)
• Certificate III in Passenger Train Guard (TLI30521, 20 units)
• Certificate III in Stevedoring (TLI30219, 13 units)
• Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations (TLI30325, 14 units)

More RPL in transport and logistics

Every qualification in this industry, which of them have a guide ready, and what assessors here accept as evidence: RPL in transport and logistics.

When you are ready, see what TLI31421 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.