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VET Reform Projects

Block credit recognition review

Changes to block credit recognition from 2019

Contribution towards the VCE for any VET certificate not included as a VCAA-approved VCE VET program or VRQA approved school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is calculated via block credit recognition.

Credit towards the VCE is based on achieving units of competency. The AQF level of the qualification the units of competency are drawn from determines the level of credit.

Students who aggregate results from more than one VET qualification may be eligible for credit for all of their training, subject to completion of sufficient hours.

The new rules for the award of credit towards the VCE

  • Certificate I qualifications do not provide any credit into the VCE.
  • Certificate II qualifications provide credit at VCE units 1 and 2 level only. Each completed 90 nominal hours of training provides one VCE unit of credit. Credit accrues in the following sequence: units 1, 2, 1 and 2 up to a maximum of six VCE units.
  • Certificate III qualifications provide credit at VCE units 1 to 4 level. Each completed 90 nominal hours of training provides one VCE unit of credit. Credit accrues in the following sequence: units 1, 2, 3, 4, 3 and 4 up to a maximum of six VCE units.
  • Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications that are pre-approved by the VCAA provide credit at VCE units 3 and 4 level. Each completed 90 nominal hours of training provides one VCE unit of credit. Credit accrues in the following sequence: units 3, 4, 3 and 4 up to a maximum of four units.

Students who have commenced training in 2018 or earlier

Where a student has commenced training in 2018 or earlier, the following VCE certificate rules apply:

  • Attainment of units of competency at AQF level II provides credit at VCE units 1 and 2 level, subject to the completion of a minimum of 90 nominal hours for each VCE unit.
  • Attainment of units of competency at AQF level III and above provides credit at units 3 and 4 level, subject to the completion of a minimum of 90 nominal hours for each VCE unit.
  • A VCE unit 3 and 4 sequence will be awarded on satisfactory completion of a minimum of 180 nominal hours, according to the rules outlined in the previous points.

Important notes

Schools seeking to enrol students into Certificate IV or Diploma qualifications are required to seek prior approval from the VCAA.

This approval process is designed to ensure that students are undertaking qualifications aligned to their future pathway, and that the qualifications are appropriate to their needs and capabilities.

The award of credit to a student will take into account issues of duplication with their other studies or VCE VET programs.

Where arrangements for VET programs have been made for 2019 based on pre-2019 block credit rules such that a student will receive credit at a lower level under the new block credit rules – that is at units 1 and 2 level rather than a previously calculated units 3 and 4 level – special arrangements will be provided. Schools should contact the VCAA VET Unit with the details of these cases.

For more information and to apply for VET credit, see Block credit recognition.

VCE credit examples under previous and new block credit arrangements

The following examples show the completion of two qualifications with core units and typical electives as listed in the training package. They illustrate differences in the VCE credit available under the previous block credit rules and the new rules that came into effect from 2019.

SIT30516 Certificate III in Events

Previous block credit arrangements (effective until 2018)
  • VCE units 1, 3, 4, 3, 4
  • Core: 6 UoCs – 157 hours
  • Electives: 7 UoCs – 346 hours
New block credit arrangements (effective from 2019)
  • VCE units 1, 2, 3, 4, 3
  • Core: 6 UoCs – 157 hours
  • Electives: 7 UoCs – 346 hours

SIR30216 Certificate III in Retail

Previous block credit arrangements (effective until 2018)
  • VCE units 1, 2, 1, 3
  • Core: 8 UoCs – 255 hours
  • Electives: 5 UoCs – 165 hours
New block credit arrangements (effective from 2019)
  • VCE units 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Core: 8 UoCs – 255 hours
  • Electives: 5 UoCs – 165 hours

Background

In July 2017, the VCAA surveyed schools (government, independent and Catholic), TAFEs and private RTOs as part of the 'Driving quality and appropriateness of VET' project, which includes the block credit recognition review. In total, 85 per cent of respondents agreed that greater clarity is required around the VCAA different course types (VES/NAP/VFE).

Key issues identified through this survey were:

  • Schools, teachers, students and parents do not understand how block credit works and even what it really means.
  • There is a need for greater clarity around credit. Credit aligned to units of competency is not transparent and 'provides the opportunity for abuse'.
  • The guidelines are not clear, with no clear advice about selecting electives.

Survey respondents asked for greater clarity with simpler rules, transparency, checklists and simpler language around block credit recognition.

Discussion paper

Four alternative block credit recognition models were developed and are contained in the Block Credit Recognition Review – Discussion Paper. VET workshops conducted by the VCAA in November 2017 explored the different models.