Is Direct Credit the same as RPL

No - these are different terms, although they are often confused.

Direct Credit is the term we use when you already hold a specific unit of competency. We can use your existing certificate to give you credit towards your Qualification.

RPL is the term we use when you wish to use your work experience as an assessment only pathway to the qualification. You need to provides samples of work, references, etc in order to demonstrate competency through real life experience.