VPC Administrative Handbook
The VPC Administrative Handbook provides principals, teachers and administrators with detailed information on implementing the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC). It outlines the rules, regulations and policies that support the integrity of the certificate and equity of student access to fair and valid results. This handbook also provides principals, teachers and administrators with instructions on using the Victorian Assessment Software System (VASS).
2026 Handbook
Find administrative information on curriculum, assessment and more.
2027 Handbook
This document outlines the administrative arrangements that apply for the delivery of the VPC in the 2027 academic year.
Please refer to the advice in this document when preparing for the 2027 academic year.
Summary of changes to the VPC Administrative Handbook 2027
A summary of changes to the 2027 edition of the VPC Administrative Handbook is as follows:
- Clearer VCAA expectations and processes for schools to follow to address known pain points in key sections:
- VPC programs – reorganisation of content to make the components of a VPC program more clear
- Satisfactory completion – explicit guidance about the redemption process schools must follow to redeem N results
- Communicating to students – clearer expectations regarding what information must be communicated to students, parents and/or carers each year
- Maintaining the integrity of assessment – refinement of VCAA language in outlining expectations relating to assessment
- Updates to reflect recent developments in the work of the VCAA, including:
- the release of the Recognition of Learning Statement
- updates to the VCE and VPC Audit
- the revised VCAA Vision and Mission
- a new look and feel for the VCAA’s publications.
- Structural changes for a clearer hierarchy of content and the general refinement of text throughout all sections.
Goal 1: The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity.
Goal 2: All young Australians become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners, and active and informed members of the community.
The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration (December 2019)
This handbook uses the term ‘school’ to cover any organisation registered by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) as a foundation secondary provider.
Schools with students enrolled in a Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) study, VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) study and/or VCE Vocational Education and Training (VCE VET) program should refer to the relevant VCE Administrative Handbook 2026 sections for the rules, regulations and policies governing the delivery of the VCE.
This handbook also provides instructions on how to use the Victorian Assessment Software System (VASS) for principals, teachers and administrators.
For VCE and VCE VM administrative advice, see the VCE Administrative Handbook 2026.
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) units were discontinued and replaced by VCE VM and VPC studies from 2024.