OPEC College

Transitioning from Defence

Transitioning with OPEC College

Transitioning from a Defence role and looking to get started  in a new career? At OPEC College, our goal is to make your transition both simple and successful. 

We recognise that your former career provides you with a valuable and sought-after set of skills. The training and experience you have acquired in the Army, Navy or Air Force does really stack up over time. We also understand that your skillset is in demand by a variety of employers across industry, who are eager to use your specialist capabilities and training in their workplace. 

OPEC College can help to translate your experience by formally converting it into a nationally recognised qualification, opening new career pathways and helping you to get started in a new or related vocation.  

This process, known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), enables you to trade-up your experience into formal qualifications, ensuring you meet minimum recruitment requirements and can hit the ground running in a new role. RPL is a clever short cut that saves you learning about something you already know and provides a springboard to fulfil the requirements of a post Defence career. 

Our dedicated team of trainers and assessors are available to guide you through the RPL process, and offer a comprehensive assessment procedure, as well as teaching excellence should you need additional training to achieve your qualification. 

Ask us today how our RPL program can help you in your transition. 

Three Easy Steps

Transitioning from a Defence role?  Streamline your transition and determine your eligibility for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by  following these three simple steps:  

Step 1

Gather your records

Obtain the following documents; ‘Record of Service Long’  (also known as PMKeys). Seek a copy of your personnel file, your two most recent performance management reports, as well as copies of  any  Special  or  Supplemental PARS that demonstrate exceptional operational performance. Obtain a copy of any  Records of Attainment (ROA) and/or  Course Reports

Step 2

Submit for assessment

Submit your documentation to us for assessment and relax! We will consider and evaluate skills acquired throughout your career and will respond within two business days. 

Step 3

Confirmation

Following a thorough assessment of your skills, we will respond with an indication of your eligibility for RPL and / or study against nominated OPEC College courses.  

If you have already left Defence, these documents will be available through your service Central Records Office 

Defence Force Transition Program (DFTP)

The Defence Force Transition Program (DFTP) was formerly called the Career Transition Assistance Scheme (CTAS) and is run by the Australian Department of Defence to support Defence personnel as they prepare for a postDefence career.

The DFTP is available to all ADF members including Reservists. You can access certain programs at any time in your career, with further programs becoming available once you commence transition. Most programs can continue to be accessed for up to 12 months after your transition, with some up to 24 months.

The program offers a variety of initiatives including: 

Accessing the DFTP

Get in touch with your local ADF Transition Centre and they will introduce you and your family to an ADF Transition coach who will discuss with you the initiatives which will help you achieve your transition goals.

Make sure you let them know the course you are interested in and that you would like to work with OPEC college to achieve that course.

Your Defence Transition Checklist

Scholarships

RSL Scholarships

The RSL recognises that education and training open doors to employment opportunities. RSL Australia, and its state based RSL counterparts, offer a variety of scholarships to ex-Defence members and their families.

Find out more about scholarship opportunities by visiting:

Find out more about scholarship opportunities by contacting us or visiting: RSL Queensland or RSL Australia
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Soldier On Scholarship

OPEC College is proud to have partnered with Soldier-On to offer scholarships to veterans and their families via the Soldier On Pathways Program to help accelerate their career. These fully-funded scholarships are offered periodically to help veterans upskill or retrain, and include qualifications ranging from Certificate III to Graduate Diploma within our many faculties.

Find out more about scholarship opportunities by visiting:

For more information about eligibility and the next round of scholarship opportunities, please contact us or [email protected]
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