Leaving Defence
CIDARA has assisted many Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel – Navy, Army and Air Force – through the transition to a civilian career.
Understanding the Difference Between Civilian Accreditation and Competency Assessment
Civilian Accreditation
When you discharge from the ADF, you will receive civilian accreditation for ADF training that you have completed during your Service career. For all the qualifications or statements of attainment towards a qualification that you will receive, see Defence Qualifications.
Note: The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) was introduced around 1995. Training you completed prior to the transition period (1995–2000) may not receive the current industry qualification. Also, some qualifications are Defence-specific and are not recognised by or relevant to industry.
Achieving Current Qualifications
For all our listed qualifications, you can achieve current industry qualifications through an RPL competency assessment process. Competency assessment is the process whereby CIDARA ex-Defence assessors can translate the experience you have gained from postings, positions and secondary appointments into qualifications.
Competency assessment is achieved by completing a Portfolio of Evidence.
Portfolio of Evidence
A Portfolio of Evidence is a collection of evidence presented in an organised manner for assessment of your skills and knowledge against qualification competencies. The Rules of Evidence stipulate that evidence must be:
- current
- relevant
- authentic
- validated
- sufficient.
CIDARA will provide you with a Portfolio of Evidence Toolkit which will assist you with the collection, preparation and presentation of evidence for competency assessment.
Are vocational qualifications worth the effort?
Vocational qualifications translate what you can do into a language that potential employers understand. They are a credible demonstration of your skills, experience and knowledge.
Opportunities with Learning Pathways
Learning Pathways are where your skills and knowledge can be translated into vocational qualifications and, in turn, these qualifications can be used as credits towards academic qualifications. The opportunities presented for academic qualifications are open to all people and are not Defence-specific. 31 of the 38 Australian universities participate in this scheme. Learning Pathways are part of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Defence and Learning Pathways
The ADF Higher Education Advance Standing Scheme is a Defence initiative open to selected personnel to undertake higher education and use training gained in Defence for advanced standing or credit towards specific university-awarded academic qualifications.