Assessment
- Higher Education Assessment (inclusive of FedTASKs) Procedure
- VET Assessment Procedure
- Higher Education Assessment Policy
- VET Assessment Policy
- Gap Training and Assessment Procedure
- Higher Education Examinations Procedure
- Supplementary Assessment Procedure
- Forms
- Printable PDF Version
Assessment is central to the vision, mission, culture, activities, practices and educational development of the University.
The purpose of this policy is to:
1. Identify and describe principles underpinning the approach to assessment adopted by the VET and VCAL sector of the University;
2. Provide a clear framework for making VET and VCAL qualification design decisions in relation to assessment across the University by informing and guiding the University community in the design and implementation of VET and VCAL assessment;
3. Encourage the University community to reflect on contemporary assessment strategies to better meet the diverse needs of the broad range of VET and VCAL learners.
This policy applies to the assessment of learners within the University for all VET and VCAL units and programs, and all VET staff responsible for the development and implementation of assessment strategies.
This policy does not include Recognition of Prior Leaning and Credit Transfer. Refer to: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer.
This policy is designed to be read in conjunction with the University VET Assessment Procedure.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015
Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011
VET Funding Contract (Dual Sector)
VRQA Guidelines for non-school senior secondary education providers - Minimum Standards 2016
• Statute 2.2 - Academic Board
• Statute 5.1 - Academic Awards and Courses
• Statute 5.2 - Entry Quotas, Admissions and Enrolment
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Academic misconduct | Conduct that conflicts with the principles of academic honesty and academic integrity and leads to an unfair advantage. Types of academic misconduct include: plagiarism, contract cheating, examination cheating, duplicate submission, fabrication, impersonation, academic fraud, solicitation and promoting the breach of academic, collusion and non-compliance with examination instructions/requirements. Refer: Academic Misconduct Procedure |
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) | is the framework for regulating qualifications in the Australian education and training system |
AQF qualification | is the result of an accredited complete program of learning that leads to formal certification that a graduate has achieved learning outcomes as described in the AQF. |
Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) | is the national regulator for vocational education and training. |
Assessment | means the process of collecting evidence and making judgements on whether competency has been achieved, to confirm that an individual can perform to the standard required in the workplace, as specified in a Training Package or VET accredited program and is conducted in accordance with the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence. |
Assessment system | is a coordinated set of documented policies and procedures (including assessment materials and tools) designed and implemented to ensure that assessment of learners conforms to assessment policy and procedures. |
Assessment requirements | are an endorsed component of a Training Package that underpin assessment and sets out the industry’s approach to valid, reliable, flexible and fair assessment. |
Assessment tools |
include the following components: the context and conditions of assessment; tasks to be administered to the student; an outline of the evidence to be gathered from the candidate; and evidence criteria used to judge the quality of performance (i.e. the assessment decision-making rules). For further information refer to: Assessment Tool templates |
Assessment Appeals |
refer to the process whereby a student may appeal within 10 working days of official publication of the final grade on any of the following grounds:
Further information refer to Regulation 5.3 |
Assessors |
A qualified assessor is a person who has the competencies required under the Standards for RTOs, and relevant training package or curriculum qualification who assesses a learner's competence. For further information refer to Standard 1 Clause 1.13 - 1.16 |
Cheating |
is the intention to gain an unfair advantage in the assessment of a unit. This may include (but is not limited to): a. fabrication of data and/or results; b. colluding with others; c. allowing another person to complete an assessment on behalf of a student; d. accessing an advanced copy of a test paper; e. copying from others in an assessment; f. bringing into an assessment unauthorised material or information; g. knowingly helping others to cheat; i. taking actions which intrude on the ability of others to complete their assessable tasks. |
Competency | means the consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments. |
Competency Based Completion (CBC) | is where Apprentices are no longer locked into fixed time periods and can complete the apprenticeship at their own pace. The apprenticeship is completed when the RTO gets employer confirmation of competence in all areas required under their qualification. |
Credit Transfer |
relates to institutional recognition of any unit of competency or module a student has successfully completed at any other Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Credit transfer is a process that provides students with agreed and consistent credit outcomes based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes between matched qualifications. Refer: VET Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Assessment Policy |
Cumulative Assessment | is the process for progressively collecting evidence that a learner is competent as per the assessment requirements, essential knowledge, skills, critical aspects and learning outcomes/elements of a unit. To do this learners usually undertake multiple assessment tasks (each adhering to the rules of evidence including the principles of validity, fairness, reliability, currency and authenticity) |
Graded Assessment |
The practice of assessing and reporting aspects of varying levels of performance in competency-based training. It is generally used to recognise excellence. Graded Assessment enables competency based assessment (CY/CN) to include Competent with Merit (CM) and Competent with Distinction (CD). Graded Assessment is the process of awarding the learner with a grade based on a higher level of performance once competency has been achieved. Refer to: VET Graded Assessment Application Form |
Higher Education and Skills Group (HESG) |
HESG facilitates participation and achievement in senior secondary and tertiary education and training by supporting partnerships between providers, employers and the community and advising on public funding and regulation. HESG manages the Government-funded training market, public provider governance and accountability, and the apprenticeship system. |
Independent validation |
is validation carried out by a validator or validators who: a. are not employed or subcontracted by the RTO to provide training and assessment; and b. have no other involvement or interest in the operations of the RTO. |
Industry relevance |
is when learners, employers and industry have confidence in the integrity, currency and value of certification documents issued by the RTO. RTO’s must document and maintain current evidence of industry engagement activities. This must be demonstrated though a range of strategies of industry engagement and the systematic implementation of the outcomes of that engagement to ensure relevance of the; training and assessment strategies, practices and resources, and the current industry skills of its trainers and assessors. |
Licensed or regulated outcome | is compliance with an eligibility requirement for an occupational license or a legislative requirement to hold a particular training product in order to carry out an activity. |
Learner | a person being trained and/or assessed by the RTO for the purpose of issuing AQF certification documentation. |
Mode of delivery | the method adopted to deliver training and assessment, including face-to-face, online, distance, or blended methods. |
Moderation of assessment | the process of bringing assessment judgements and standards into alignment. It is a process that ensures the same standards are applied to all learner assessment results within the same units. |
Official Publication of Results | refers to when students’ ratified results are entered into the Student Management System and published. |
Professional development | are activities that develop and/or maintain an individual’s skills, knowledge, expertise and other characteristics as a trainer or assessor. This includes both formal and informal activities that en- compass vocational competencies, currency of industry skills and knowledge and practice of vocational training, learning and assessment, including competency based training and assessment. |
Program | is a series of courses (units of competency) of vocational education and training, or the modules of a VET accredited course/program that combine to become a qualification from an accredited Training Package or skill set. |
Program Manager | Is the person responsible for the management and leadership of a program or a range of programs. |
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) |
means an assessment process that assesses an individual’s formal, non-formal and informal learning to deter- mine the extent to which that individual meets the requirements specified in the Training Package or VET accredited courses. Refer to: VET Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Assessment Procedure |
Skill set | means a single unit of competency or a combination of units of competency from a Training Package that link to a licensing or regulatory requirement or a defined industry need. |
Special consideration | is the making of alternative arrangements for the assessment of students who are unwell or experience hardship. As required under the principles of assessment fairness, reasonable adjustments are applied by the RTO to take into account the individual learner’s needs. Refer: VET Special consideration procedure |
Statement of attainment | recognises that one or more accredited units has been achieved. |
Third Party (Subcontracting) | means any party that provides services on behalf of the RTO but does not include a contract of employment between an RTO and its employee. |
Training and assessment strategies |
are the approach of, and method adapted by, an RTO with respect to training and assessment designed to enable learners to meet the requirements of the training package and accredited course. They include the amount of training provided, which will be consistent with the requirements of Training Packages and VET accredited courses and the assessment practices that enable each learner to meet the requirements for each unit of competency or module in which they are enrolled. TAS Template can be found on the Quality Services Resource Page |
Training Package | refers to a set of qualifications for a defined industry, occupational area or enterprise endorsed by the Industry and Skills Council or its delegate in accordance with the Standards for Training Packages. The endorsed components of a Training Package are: units of competency; assessment requirements (associated with each unit of competency); qualifications; and credit arrangements. |
Training Product |
is defined as any qualification, accredited course, skills set or individual unit of competency listed of the University's scope on Registration. A unit of competency is only considered a training product if it is listed separately on the Scope of Registration |
Unit of competency | Unit of competency is the unit of learning in a VET qualification and includes assessment requirements and the specification of the standards of performance required in the workplace as defined in a Training Package. |
Validation |
Validation is the quality review of the assessment process. Validation involves checking that the assessment tool/s produce/s valid, reliable, sufficient, current and authentic evidence to enable reasonable judgements to be made as to whether the requirements of the training package or VET accredited course are met. It includes reviewing a statistically valid sample of the assessments and making recommendations for future improvements to the assessment tool, processes and/or outcomes of acting upon such recommendations. Refer: Validation Record |
VASS | is the Victorian Assessment Software System. It is the centralised database for senior secondary students enrolled in VCAL courses |
VCAA | is the statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs in Victoria which, for the purposes of Federation University, applies to all VCAL programs |
VCAL | Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning – Foundation, Intermediate and Senior |
VET accredited course | means a course accredited by the VET Regulator in accordance with the Standards of VET Accredited Courses. |
Vocational competencies | as applied to trainers means broad industry knowledge and experience usually combined with a relevant industry qualification. Vocational Competency is determined on an industry-by-industry basis and with reference to the relevant Training Package or VET accredited program. |
VRQA | The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) are an independent statutory authority that works to assure the quality of education and training in Victoria. They apply standards to education and training providers and accredit courses and qualifications. They register apprentices and trainees, approve their employers and assure all parties meet their contractual obligations. |
The policy provides a clear VET assessment framework that is industry relevant and can be consistently applied to students.
The policy will provide support of teaching staff requirements and the design, development and implementation of the VET assessment framework in accordance with the Principles of Assessment and the Rules of Evidence.
The design, development and delivery of quality VET and VCAL assessments by the teaching staff will adhere to the following regulations:
- ASQA Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015;
- HESG VET Funding Contract (Dual sector);
- VRQA Minimum standards in a non-school setting. The University is committed to providing quality training and assessment opportunities for learners. This is achieved by successful implementation of the following:
1. Assessment and corresponding tasks are designed and implemented in accordance with the Principles of Assessment and the Rules of Evidence as listed.
Principles of Assessment
Principle | Definition |
---|---|
Fairness |
The individual learner’s needs are considered in the assessment process. Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments are applied by the RTO to take into account the individual learner’s needs. The RTO informs the learner about the assessment process, and provides the learner with the opportunity to challenge the result of the assessment and be reassessed if necessary. |
Flexibility |
Assessment is flexible to the individual learner by:
|
Validity |
Any assessment decision of the RTO is justified, based on the evidence of performance of the individual learner. Validity requires:
|
Reliability | Evidence presented for assessment is consistently interpreted and assessment results are comparable irrespective of the assessor conducting the assessment. |
Rules of Evidence
Rule | Definition |
---|---|
Validity | The assessor is assured that the learner has the skills, knowledge and attributes as described in the module or unit of competency and associated assessment requirements. |
Sufficiency | The assessor is assured that the quality, quantity and relevance of the assessment evidence enables a judgement to be made of a learner’s competency. |
Authenticity | The assessor is assured that the evidence presented for assessment is the learner’s own work. |
Currency | The assessor is assured that the assessment evidence demonstrates current competency. This requires the assessment evidence to be from the present or the |
2. Design, development and implementation of VET assessments must take into account the requirements of the training package and the supporting assessment guidelines, VET accredited course curriculum requirements and/ or VCAL curriculum requirements as appropriate.
3. Validation must be conducted in accordance with the Standards and the recording and storage of documentation must conform with the requirements of the VET Assessment Procedure.
4. Assessment will only be conducted by staff in accordance with Clauses 1.13 - Clause 1.16 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 and in adherence to the VET Staff Qualification and Competency Policy.
5. Assessment Records are maintained in the University approved secure and reliable system for recording and storing all assessment decisions.
Review of assessment and continuous improvement will be captured as directed by the standards.
Enrolment Withdrawal (TAFE) Procedure
VET Program Approval and Maintenance Procedure
VET Qualification Delivery Procedure
VET Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Assessment Policy
VET Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Assessment Procedure
VET Teacher Qualifications and Competency Policy
Gap Training and Assessment Procedure
Third Party Delivery of VET Training and Assessment Procedure
VET Special Consideration Procedure
All related forms are available on the Quality Services Resources Page
The VET Assessment Policy will be implemented throughout the University via:
1. Announcement in the University’s News webpage;
2. Inclusion in the University Policy Library;
3. Annual professional development including assessment activities and workshops.
Document Title | Location | Responsible Officer | Minimum Retention Period |
---|---|---|---|
Records of industry consultation | Faculty/Centre/ College qualification file or ECM if electronic records are kept | Program Manager |
Destroy 2 years after last date of action. Dispose of hard copy records as per disposal process in Records Management procedure. |
All completed student assessment items. (The actual piece(s) of work completed by a student or evidence of that work, including evidence collected for an RPL process. An assessor’s completed marking guide, criteria, and observation checklist for each student may be sufficient where it is not possible to retain the student’s actual work. However, the retained evidence must have enough detail to demonstrate the assessor’s judgement of the student’s performance against the standard required). |
Faculty/Centre/ College student file, Moodle or ECM if electronic records are kept | Program Manager |
Store on Student File – retain 7 years after completion of the program. Transfer non active student files to archives as per transfer process in Records Management procedure. |
Where co-assessment is undertaken in accordance with the VET Teacher Qualifications and Competency Policy, the co-assessment Responsibility Plan, together with records of meetings must be retained. | Faculty/Centre/ College qualification file or ECM if electronic records are kept | Program Manager |
Retain in the School for 2 years Dispose of hard copy records as per disposal process in Records Management procedure. |
Validation of Assessment schedule & Record log | ECM | Program Manager |
Destroy 3 years from date of last action. Dispose of hard copy records as per disposal process in Records Management procedure. |
VET Assessment tools, which includes:
|
ECM | Program Manager |
Permanent
|
Record of Assessment |
Student file in Faculty or ECM if electronic records are kept |
Program Manager |
Permanent Transfer non active hard copy records to archives as per transfer process in the Records Management Procedure |
Amendment to Result Form | Student file Student Administration or ECM if electronic records are kept | Manager, Student Administration |
Permanent Transfer non active hard copy records to archives as per transfer process in the Records Management Procedure |
Final Assessment Results | Student file and Student Management System | Student HQ | Permanent |
Re-issue of Statement of Results | Student Administration or ECM if electronic records are kept | Student HQ |
1 year from date application made Dispose of hard copy records as per disposal process in the Records Management procedure. |