Experienced Bricklayers
Workers without an Australian bricklaying qualification.
Direct Answer
What Is Bricklayer RPL?
Bricklayer Recognition of Prior Learning, commonly called Bricklayer RPL, assesses the bricklaying and blocklaying skills and knowledge you gained through work or previous training.
Your experience and evidence are compared with the competency requirements of an Australian qualification. A qualification is not awarded based only on your job title or years of experience.
Applicant Profiles
Who Can Apply for Bricklayer RPL?
Bricklayer RPL may suit people who developed practical masonry skills through employment, self-employment, subcontracting, previous training or overseas work.
Self-Employed Workers
Subcontractors and business owners with project evidence.
Residential Bricklayers
Workers completing residential walls, veneer and related masonry.
Commercial Bricklayers
Workers involved in commercial or industrial masonry projects.
Blocklayers
Experienced workers completing blockwork and structural masonry.
Overseas or Incomplete Apprenticeships
Workers with overseas experience or an unfinished apprenticeship.
Important: General construction labouring alone may not be sufficient. You should be able to demonstrate trade-level bricklaying or blocklaying responsibilities.
Skills Assessment
Bricklaying Skills That May Be Assessed
The skills assessed depend on the qualification, selected electives and the masonry work you have completed.
| Skill Area | Examples of Work | Evidence That May Help |
|---|---|---|
| Plans and Set-Out | Reading plans, measuring, setting out masonry and checking dimensions. | Plans, set-out records, site photos and supervisor references. |
| Mortar and Materials | Preparing mortar and selecting suitable bricks, blocks and materials. | Work videos, supplier records, invoices and practical demonstration. |
| Brick and Block Walls | Laying bricks and blocks, constructing walls, corners and returns. | Progress photos, completed project records and client references. |
| Veneer and Cavity Work | Constructing veneer walls, cavity walls and associated masonry systems. | Plans, project photographs, work orders and assessor observation. |
| Piers and Structural Masonry | Building masonry piers, structural elements and supporting work. | Project records, site videos and technical questioning. |
| Flashings and Damp-Proofing | Installing flashings, damp-proof courses and relevant moisture protection. | Detailed photos, plans, product records and practical evidence. |
| Arches, Lintels and Finishing | Constructing arches, installing lintels and completing masonry finishes. | Close-up photographs, project documents and work videos. |
| Levels and Alignment | Checking levels, plumb, line and alignment throughout the work. | Practical demonstration, inspection records and supervisor verification. |
| Tools and Safety | Using bricklaying tools safely and following workplace safety procedures. | White Card, safety certificates, work videos and assessor observation. |
You may not need experience in every specialist area, but the full qualification requires all core competencies and the selected elective units to be demonstrated.
Qualification Pathway
Bricklayer RPL Qualification
Qualification CodeCPC33020
Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
This nationally recognised trade qualification may suit experienced bricklayers, blocklayers and pavers working across residential, commercial and industrial construction.
The correct pathway depends on your skills, project history, previous training, evidence and selected elective units.
Evidence Checklist
Evidence Required for Bricklayer RPL
Your evidence should show the bricklaying or blocklaying work you personally completed.
Detailed references confirming duties, projects and employment dates.
Photos showing set-out, walls, corners, piers and completed masonry.
Videos showing you completing relevant masonry tasks safely.
Plans or drawings connected to projects you worked on.
Records showing measurements, levels and site activity.
Documents showing the work assigned and completed.
Employment records supporting your work history.
Agreements supporting subcontracting experience.
Verifiable references from clients, supervisors or builders.
Previous trade training or apprenticeship records.
White Card and relevant workplace safety certificates.
Practical demonstration, workplace observation or technical questioning.
Evidence standard: Photographs alone are usually not enough. The assessing RTO determines whether evidence is valid, sufficient, authentic and current.
Different Work Arrangements
Self-Employed and Overseas Bricklayer Evidence
Self-Employed Bricklayers
- ABN registration
- Client contracts
- Quotes and invoices
- Bank payments
- Supplier and material records
- Project photographs and videos
- Client references
- Public liability insurance
- Tax records
Business registration alone does not prove competency. It should be supported by evidence showing the masonry work you personally completed.
Overseas-Experienced Bricklayers
- Employer references
- Employment contracts
- Salary and tax records
- Trade qualifications
- Apprenticeship records
- Project photographs and videos
- Supervisor or client contacts
- Business records
- Certified translations where required
The RTO may use practical demonstrations, workplace observations, technical questions and supporting documents to confirm competency.
Five-Step Process
How Does Bricklayer RPL Work?
1
Initial Skills Review
Provide details of your bricklaying experience, employment history, previous training and available evidence.
2
Qualification Pathway Review
Your duties and skills are compared with CPC33020 and the relevant elective pathway.
3
Evidence Collection
Collect employment records, project photographs, videos, plans, business documents and references.
4
Competency Assessment
An assessor may review evidence, ask technical questions, verify referees and observe practical skills.
5
Assessment Outcome
The RTO makes the final decision. Further evidence, assessment or gap training may be required.
Think RPL Support
Why Choose Think RPL?
Clear Guidance
Understand how your bricklaying skills may be recognised through RPL.
Qualification Matching
Your experience is reviewed against a pathway relevant to the work performed.
Evidence Support
Identify and organise suitable employment, business and project evidence.
Flexible Support
Support for employed, self-employed and overseas-experienced bricklayers.
Think RPL provides pathway and evidence support. Formal assessment and qualification issuance are completed by an RTO with CPC33020 on its current scope of registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Bricklayer RPL
Do I Need Experience in Both Bricklaying and Blocklaying?
Not necessarily. However, you must demonstrate all core competencies and the selected electives required for the qualification.
Can Invoices and Business Records Replace Employer References?
Invoices and business records can support your application, but they should be combined with project evidence, references or practical assessment.
Will I Need a Practical Assessment?
Your practical skills must be assessed. This may involve workplace observation or a demonstration in a real or closely simulated workplace.
Can One Large Project Cover All Required Bricklaying Competencies?
One large project may cover several competencies, but additional projects or assessment may be needed to demonstrate the full qualification requirements.
Can Self-Employed Bricklayers Apply?
Yes. Self-employed bricklayers may use invoices, contracts, client references, business records, project photographs and videos as evidence.