In Australia, United Kingdom and Germany there has been an increased focus on the recognition of prior learning and transfer of credits obtained elsewhere

In Australia, United Kingdom and Germany there has been an increased focus on the recognition of prior learning and transfer of credits obtained elsewhere.
Australia
In Australia the recognition of prior learning is available to individuals in the VET sector under the Australian Quality Training Framework. Recognition of prior learning in Australia refers to status or credit gained through formal and informal training, experience in the workplace, voluntary work, social or domestic activity (NCVER 2004a). In applying for recognition of prior learning, or its variant, recognition of current competency, the student must provide sufficient evidence to substantiate prior experience and knowledge and/or perform challenge tests to demonstrate current knowledge. The uptake of recognition of prior learning as a route to qualifications has generally been slow (Mawer & Jackson 2005; NCVER 2004a). One of the reasons for this slow uptake may also be associated with the resources required for conducting recognition of prior learning assessments, the amount of work that has to be done by applicants in gathering and organising suitable information, and the bureaucratic red tape that must be followed (Smith 2004; Bowman 2004; Bowman et al. 2003). In 2004, just 3.6% of all VET students had achieved a module outcome through recognition of prior learning.
The mutual recognition principle of the Australian Quality Training Framework means that registered training organisations are bound to accept the qualifications awarded by other registered training organisations. In theory the mutual recognition of qualifications enables the portability of qualifications and credit between states and territories. However, it is not uncommon for students to be asked to undergo extra training in the receiving registered training organisation to enable them to meet the requirements of such registered training organisations (Robinson & Misko 2003). This is one of the practical issues that continues to be problematic for the application of the Australian Quality Training Framework.
General guidelines for the awarding of credit transfer and advanced standing between VET and university sectors have been established by the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee. However, the process of obtaining adequate credit for prior qualifications obtained in the VET sector still provides problems for students. The amount of credit transfer and advanced standing awarded to individuals is also highly dependent on the willingness of higher education institutions to acknowledge the previous training. However, agreements between universities and other universities, schools and VET colleges have formalised the amount of credit transfer an individual may obtain for a certain amount of learning or qualification. Generally, recognition and credit is easier between related areas of study. The Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee provides the following credit transfer guidelines for related fields. These are: 50% for an advanced diploma linked to three-year bachelor degree; 37.5% for an advanced diploma linked to four-year bachelor degree; 33% credit for a diploma linked to three-year bachelor degree; 25% credit for diploma linked to a four-year bachelor degree; and 16.5% for a nursing certificate IV and the nursing degree.
Nevertheless, in their wish to provide some recognition of prior learning acquired in unrelated programs, universities have also been prepared to provide credit for subjects that have been defined as electives.