The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is a body corporate continued under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic), available from legislation.vic.gov.au. The VCAA’s vision is to be a global education leader and its mission is to provide high-quality curriculum, assessment and reporting to enable learning for life. Refer to the VCAA Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
The VCAA Board is responsible for the governance of the VCAA and acts within the scope of the functions, powers and obligations conferred upon it by the Education and Training Reform Act and other relevant legislation. The VCAA Board consists between 8 and 15 members, one of whom is the Secretary of the Department of Education (DE), or their representative. The Governor in Council appoints the remaining members on the nomination of the Minister for Education. Schedule 2 of the Education and Training Reform Act sets out general provisions for authorities, including the VCAA.
Responsibilities of the VCAA
As set out in section 2.5.3(1) of the Education and Training Reform Act, the VCAA is responsible for:
- developing high-quality courses and curriculum and assessment products and services
- carrying out functions as a body registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)
- providing linkages that will facilitate movement between courses.
Functions and powers
The functions and powers of the VCAA are set out in Part 2.5 of the Education and Training Reform Act. Particular reference should be made to sections 2.5.3 and 2.5.5.
VCAA obligations to schools
Quality assurance: VCE Languages eligibility audit
The criteria for eligibility for VCE English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Second Languages are independent from each other. In either case, the student must provide evidence of their eligibility to enrol in a VCE Second Language study or EAL.
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.
Quality assurance: VCE school-based assessment audit
School-based assessment is an essential feature of the VCE, allowing for local flexibility in both teaching and assessment practice. As part of the VCAA’s ongoing monitoring and quality assurance program for the VCE, it can request an audit of assessment tasks for school-based assessment in each VCE study, including VCE VM studies and scored VCE Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs. 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 and Standards for the Registration of Awarding Bodies and the Accreditation of Senior Secondary Qualifications.
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. For school-based assessment, the standards and requirements 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, seeking to identify irregularities where the 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 findings of the audit.
In the event of serious irregularity, the Executive Committee of the VCAA will determine whether disciplinary or other procedures will apply.
More information about the 3 VCE audit programs visit:
Quality assurance: audit of VCE examination centres and observations of VCE external assessments
Each school permitted to host VCE external assessments is visited periodically by the VCAA. Audits occurring outside VCE external assessment periods are for the purpose of checking processes that schools have in place for conducting and administering VCE external assessments and to make sure VCAA requirements are being met, including security requirements. In addition, the VCAA may visit a school during a VCE external assessment period to monitor the conduct and administration of a VCE external assessment (observation).
VCAA obligations to students
Collection of student enrolment data
The VCAA collects personal information from students to manage their enrolment in the VCE and VET. Personal information is collected from the student through 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 and required to comply with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).
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.
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. The VCAA provides a Statement of Results for VCE and VET students at the end of each year.
Further copies of Statements of Results will be made available if requested by the student. 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.
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.
Victorian Student Number
The Victorian Student Number (VSN) is a randomly generated 9-digit number assigned to all Victorian students as a unique identifier. Every student under 25 years of age is given a VSN when they first enrol at a Victorian education or training provider or are registered by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) for home schooling.
For most students, this occurs when they enrol at a school in Foundation level. However, a student who does not already have a VSN will be given one when enrolled at a Victorian education or training provider any time before they turn 25 years of age (for example, because they have relocated from interstate or overseas). The VRQA will not register students for home schooling until after their sixth birthday. This includes students who are enrolled at a:
- government school
- Catholic school
- independent school.
VSNs are also provided to students under 25 years of age who are undertaking vocational education and training (VET) with a:
- TAFE institute
- registered training organisation (RTO)
- adult, community and further education (ACFE) provider that is funded by the ACFE Board.
Students keep the same VSN connected to their personal information when they change education or training providers in Victoria until they turn 25 years old and their VSN record is archived.
Purpose of the VSN
The VSN allows education and training providers to record and monitor the enrolment of students in Victoria, and to track their progress through their school-age years and beyond should they continue into VET. This enables students’ records to be accurately maintained, ensures education and training providers have appropriate levels of resourcing, and allows schools and support services to identify instances of disengagement from the school system while children remain of compulsory school age.
The VSN also provides the Department of Education, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, education and training providers, and other relevant parties with a data set to conduct analysis and research that can inform operational and policy decisions to improve education and training at an individual provider level and for the wider Victorian education system.
Using the VSN
Students need their VSN to:
- enrol at a Victorian school
- enrol in a government-funded or fee-for-service accredited course at a VET provider (VET providers include TAFEs, government and non-government RTOs and adult and community education providers)
- register with the VRQA for home schooling
- apply for Selective Entry High School Examinations.
Schools are responsible for supplying the VSN to students, parents and carers on request. Schools may print a student’s VSN on their student ID card and other correspondence to give students easy access to their own VSN.
VCAA committees and terms of reference
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee, established under section 2.5.7 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic), comprises the Chair of the VCAA Board, the VCAA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and 3VCAA Board members. The committee’s key responsibilities include:
- providing a forum for considering matters relating to the VCAA and making decisions on those matters for which authority is delegated at times when the full VCAA Board is not scheduled to meet and/or did not achieve a quorum for a scheduled meeting
- providing support to the VCAA Board and, where resolved by the Board, making decisions on its behalf
- exercising any function or authority determined by the VCAA Board when required
- considering matters determined by the VCAA Board or following from a request of the CEO, as and when required
- advising the VCAA Board of all recommendations and proposed actions that are outcomes of a meeting of the committee whether the committee has met in or out of session
- acting at all times in the best interests of both the VCAA and the Victorian community.
Early Years–10 Curriculum and Assessment Committee
The Early Years–10 Curriculum and Assessment Committee comprises VCAA Board members and representatives from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, Independent Schools Victoria and the Department of Education (DE).
The committee provides expert advice and makes recommendations to the VCAA Board relating to Early Years–Year 10 on:
- policies, criteria and standards for curriculum and assessment for the Early Years to Year 10
- the relationship between the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and the Victorian Curriculum F–10, and the Victorian Curriculum F–10 and senior secondary pathways in education and training, including the VCE, VET and VPC
- the administration of the NAPLAN program (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9)
- monitoring and reporting of student participation and performance in Early Years–Year 10 assessment programs
- the provision of materials for schools and early childhood settings, and of professional development for teachers and educators to support the implementation of Early Years–Year 10 curriculum and assessment programs
- research on matters relating to Early Years–Year 10 curriculum, standards and assessment at a national and international level.
g to Early Years–Year 10 curriculum, standards and assessment at a national and international level.
Senior Secondary Curriculum and Assessment Committee
The Senior Secondary Curriculum and Assessment Committee comprises nominated VCAA Board members and representatives from senior secondary and tertiary education sectors, industry, and Catholic, independent and government sectors.
The committee provides expert advice and makes recommendations to the VCAA Board on:
- the development, evaluation and approval of curriculum and assessment designed to be undertaken in the senior secondary years
- policies and procedures for the design, delivery and evaluation of curriculum and assessment products and services for the VCE, VCE VET and the VPC
- patterns of participation and quality of outcomes relating to courses of study in the senior secondary years
- research on matters relating to senior secondary curriculum and assessment.
Senior Secondary Certificate Reform Committee
The Senior Secondary Certificate Reform Committee comprises VCAA Board members and external members.
The committee advises the VCAA Board and makes recommendations on implementing the senior secondary reforms recommended in the Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling: Final Report, including:
- policy, strategy and risk matters relating to the reform of the senior secondary certificate
- the development, evaluation and approval of a vocational pathway within the VCE
- the design of an integrated senior secondary certificate
- the development of new senior secondary curriculum and assessment relating to the vocational pathway
- arrangements for enrolled students in 2023 and 2025
- any other matters relating to implementing the recommendations of the review.
Audit Committee
The VCAA Audit Committee comprises VCAA Board members and independent external members.
The committee assists the VCAA Board in fulfilling its responsibility to establish and maintain effective financial governance. The committee independently reviews and assesses the effectiveness of the VCAA’s systems and controls for financial management and performance and sustainability including risk management, oversees the internal audit function and audit activities, and advises the Board on key accountabilities. This includes the annual audit of financial statements, the annual financial report and compliance with financial management requirements.
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) and the Financial Management Act 1994 (Vic) guide the committee in compliance accountabilities and responsibilities.
Review committees
Review Committees are only established when required. They consist of 3 members, one of whom must be a VCAA Board member and the Committee Chair and are responsible for:
- hearing student appeals against decisions by their school, and any penalties imposed in respect of contraventions of VCAA assessment rules relating to School-based Assessments
- conducting hearings into allegations that students have contravened the VCAA examination rules or obtained an assessment by fraudulent, illegal or unfair means and imposing penalties where appropriate in accordance with the requirements of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic). Penalties range from reprimands to amending or cancelling students’ grades.
International Committee
The International Committee comprises the VCAA Board members, the VCAA CEO and representatives of the Department of Education (DE), the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, the Victorian tertiary sector, independent international education and business consultants.
The VCAA International Committee advises the VCAA Board and makes recommendations on policy, strategy and operational matters about VCAA international activities and engagement, including:
- assessing applications from schools to deliver the VCE offshore
- licensing of VCAA products and services for use overseas
- risk management and quality assurance related to the offshore delivery of the VCE
- alignment of VCAA international activities with VCAA and government policy and strategy objectives.
Vocational Education Reference Group
The Vocational Education Reference Group comprises VCAA Board members, representatives from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, Independent Schools Victoria, the Department of Education (DE), Victorian Registration Qualification Authority (VRQA), TAFE sector, tertiary sector, Local Learning Employment Networks, industry sector and representative/s of senior secondary schools.
The group:
- advises the Senior Secondary Curriculum and Assessment Committee of the VCAA on VET delivered to secondary students, block credit into the VCE and other issues arising across all levels of schooling in relation to state and Commonwealth initiatives in Vocational learning, enterprise education and employability skills
- recommend the development of new VCE VET programs and revisions to existing programs based on industry expectations and training package development
- monitors the work of the VCAA projects in vocational education and training and recommend directions and strategies, outcomes and timelines.