Assessment Information
How You Will Be Assessed
All nationally recognised programs include a component of assessment. Assessment is about gathering enough evidence to be confident that you can do the work safely and competently. Your assessment booklet or the LMS for some courses, sets out the tasks for your course, the conditions they are completed under, and what your Educator is looking for.
Assessment methods may include:
Knowledge Assessments
Theory assessments and written knowledge tasks completed in class.
Practical Observation
Direct observation of you performing tasks in a simulated workplace environment.
Written Documents
Documents you produce as part of practical work, such as a risk assessment or rescue plan.
Case Studies, Role Plays and Verbal Questioning
Verbal questioning by your Educator, and in some courses – role plays, projects or case studies.
Submitting Assessments
Most theory assessments for nationally recognised courses are completed in class under invigilated (supervised) conditions. Most are open book, meaning you may refer to your learning guides and learning resources, however you are not permitted to discuss your answers with other students.
Every question must be answered correctly and fully to receive a Satisfactory outcome. If a question is incorrect, you will receive feedback and have up to two further attempts to receive a Satisfactory outcome. Sometimes, your Educator will ask you verbal questions to clarify your understanding.
Complete all tasks in class on the day, or on the final day, or as directed by your Educator.
Submit work on paper or online via the LMS. Full instructions are given at the start of training — speak to your Educator if anything is unclear before commencing.
Assessment Plan
At the start of your course, you will sign an Assessment Plan (sometimes called an Assessment Agreement and Authenticity Declaration), confirming what will be assessed, when, and any reasonable adjustments made for you.
Cover Sheet / Declaration
If you submit work on paper, you may be asked to also sign an Assessment Task Cover Sheet. This helps us keep track of your work and the submissions you have made.
Marking & Feedback
Your Educator will provide verbal and written feedback to you. Tasks are recorded as Satisfactory or Not Satisfactory. Most tasks in short courses are marked in class on the day; work submitted after the course is marked within 4 weeks.
Due Dates
If you have a due date for a task or resubmission, you must meet it. Usually, your assessments will be completed in class, during your training. Speak to your Educator as early as possible if you need more time.
Reasonable Adjustments
Reasonable adjustment means changing the way we deliver training or collect assessment evidence so that you are not disadvantaged, without changing what the unit of competency requires you to demonstrate. Examples include providing extra time, a reader or scribe, providing oral rather than written questioning, adjusted equipment, or a quieter assessment space. Tell us at enrolment or speak to your Educator or our Welfare Officer at any time. We will discuss what is possible, agree the adjustment with you in writing and record it on your file.
Making Sure Your Work is Your Own
All work must be your own.
Plagiarism (passing off someone else’s work as your own) and collusion (working with others on individual tasks, or letting someone copy your work) are both treated as cheating.
If suspected, the matter will be referred to the Training Manager.
Depending on the outcome you may be asked to resubmit, complete an alternative assessment, or in serious cases withdraw from the course. You can appeal any decision using the complaints and appeals process.
Safety in Practical Assessments
Some courses train and assess high risk work. If you do anything that puts yourself or others at risk, your Educator will stop the assessment immediately.
Stop points are listed in your assessment booklet — read them before you begin.
A stopped attempt is recorded as Not Satisfactory with verbal and written feedback.
You must complete additional training before your next attempt.
Being stopped is a safety measure, not a penalty, and counts as one of your three attempts.
Assessment Attempts
If a task is Not Satisfactory, you will receive feedback and have up to 3 attempts at no extra cost.
You will only redo the parts that were Not Satisfactory, and resubmission is usually on the same day.
For practical tasks, you will be required to complete the whole section of the practical component again.
Your assessor may ask verbal questions instead of having you rewrite answers. Verbal questions will be introduced before a third attempt at a written task.
If no further attempt is possible within your course, you will need to re-enrol and undertake additional training — current course fees apply unless your fee-free entitlement is available.
Assessment Outcomes
Each task is marked either Satisfactory or Not Satisfactory. You must receive a Satisfactory outcome on all tasks to be marked as Competent for a unit. A unit is recorded as Competent once every task is Satisfactory, and Not Yet Competent if any task is Not Satisfactory or not submitted.
Assessment Appeals
As a student, you can lodge an appeal where you disagree with a decision regarding an assessment outcome, however we encourage students to speak with their Educator in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of that discussion, you can request a formal review of the assessment decision. In these cases, please follow our Complaints and Appeals Policy.