The competition regulator is taking action against a training college that promised to turn peoples’ experience into qualifications.

Get Qualified Australia (GQA) offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which, for example, would try to turn a car enthusiast’s hobby into formal mechanical qualifications.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleges Get Qualified has been making false or misleading representations, and engaged in misleading and unconscionable conduct relating to its RPL offerings.

The regulator also alleges that a majority of clients - who were each charged fees ranging from $700 to $8,500 - did not get the qualification they sought.

Proceedings launched in the Federal Court will hear claims that Get Qualified call centre sales staff were given sales targets that saw them sign up consumers that were not qualified for the RPL program.

The ACCC's case additionally alleges staff offered customers a “money back guarantee”, but that the company traditionally declined refund requests.

The regulator’s other issues include claims that the company used unfair sales tactics, insisted on up-front payment and withheld important information until after sale, and pursued debt recovery against customers who refused payment for incomplete courses.

ACCC chair Rod Simms says the amount of RPL trainers has almost tripled due to the expansion of taxpayer-funded schemes.

“RPL services can be useful. You just need to, before you pay any money, get a better sense of what it is you're getting for that money,” Mr Simms said.

“We understand why people have sales targets and performance rewards but if you're going to do that you should have more checks to make sure that doesn't drive inappropriate behaviour.”

Get Qualified did not obtain loans from the Federal Government's VET-FEE-HELP scheme.

Get Qualified Australia chief Adam Wadi says the company will defend itself.

“We will defend the allegations, as we are of the view that they are without merit and not justified,” he said.

“To date, we have co-operated fully with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to provide all the documentation required and put right any issues raised.

“However, the regulator seems intent on progressing this case on what, in most instances, is flimsy and unsubstantiated evidence.

“We remain committed in our drive to exonerate the company.”