Quality assurance processes

The VCAA conducts several quality assurance processes to ensure the integrity of VCE results. Schools and VCE providers agree to participate in relevant audits when approved to deliver the VCE. If selected, sufficient notice is provided to enable them to participate.

School-based assessment audit

School-based assessment is an essential feature of the VCE, allowing for local flexibility in teaching and assessment practice. The VCAA’s ongoing monitoring and quality assurance program for the VCE can request an audit of assessment tasks for school-based assessment in each VCE study, including VCE VM studies and scored VCE VET units.

The VCAA’s audit of school-based assessment is conducted in line with the powers set out in sections 2.5.3 and 2.5.5 of the Education and Training Reform Act and the requirements set out in section 4.1.2 of the VRQA Guidelines for the Registration of Awarding Bodies and the Accreditation of Senior Secondary and Foundation Secondary Courses.

Schools providing the VCE must deliver the course to the standards established by the VCAA and ensure the integrity of student assessments and compliance with its requirements for the relevant assessment program. The standards and requirements for school-based assessment are stated in the assessment specifications set out in the relevant VCE study design and the VCE assessment principles. The school-based assessment audit checks that schools comply with these requirements.

Schools should support teachers whose studies are being audited throughout this process.

The audit examines school-based assessments for compliance with requirements and identifies instances of irregularities where VCAA requirements have not been followed. The audit findings assist in planning the VCAA assessment advice and professional development support for teachers. Schools will receive feedback on the audit’s findings.

In the event of an instance of serious non-compliance, the VCAA will determine whether disciplinary or other procedures will apply.

For more information about the 3 VCE audit programs visit:

• School-based assessment audit
• VCE VET programs scored assessment for the VCE VET school-assessed coursework audit
• About the VCE Vocational Major for the VCE VM curriculum and assessment audit.

Audit of examination centres and observations of external assessments

The VCAA periodically visits each school permitted to host VCE external assessments. Audits occurring outside VCE external assessment periods check processes that are in place for conducting and administering external assessments and ensure that VCAA requirements, including security requirements, are being met. In addition, the VCAA may visit a school during a VCE external assessment period to monitor the conduct and administration of the assessment (observation).

EAL and VCE Languages eligibility

The eligibility criteria for EAL, Second Languages and Modern Languages are independent of each other (See Enrolment restrictions). 

Students must provide evidence of their eligibility to enrol in EAL or a VCE Second Language study. The VCAA will then audit the evidence to:

• monitor school procedures

• monitor documentation that supports each student’s application

• establish standards of best practice

• ensure that students are correctly enrolled in the appropriate study.

Schools may be asked by the VCAA to provide responses to questions presented in questionnaire format about school procedures as well as home school and assessing school communications.

See also the section on Enrolment restrictions for information about EAL and VCE Languages.

VCAA’s management of student records

Security of personal information

The VCAA collects personal information from students to manage their enrolment in the VCE and VET. Personal information is collected from the student by the school or provider and entered on VASS, which retains information for all students enrolled in Victoria. A student record includes the student’s address and contact details, assessment details and any other information relating to their VCE status, for example, any Special Provision.

The VCAA is a Victorian public sector agency that must comply with the Privacy and Data Protection Act.

The VCAA keeps all information collected secure and confidential. Only relevant VCAA staff members who deal with the specific processes for which the information was collected access the information. Students’ personal information is not disclosed to other persons or organisations without students’ knowledge and, where relevant, consent, unless required or permitted by law.

Access to personal information

Under the Privacy and Data Protection Act, students have the right to request access to personal information held about them by the VCAA. Individuals seeking access to personal information held about them by the VCAA should email the VCAA Privacy Officer. In some circumstances, an application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) may be necessary.

Provision of student assessment records

The VCAA makes records of student results available to students or their nominated representatives in accordance with section 2.5.3(2)(o) of the Education and Training Reform Act. At the end of the year, the VCAA provides a Statement of Results for VCE and VET students.

Further copies of Statements of Results will be made available if the student requests them. Depending on the circumstances, a student may authorise a person to obtain a copy of their results on their behalf. Proof of identity of the student or of the nominated representative will be required at the time of collection. Fees will apply unless there are exceptional circumstances and the VCAA waives the fee. Any other request for student data will be referred to the VCAA for consideration.