An Exceptional Pre-Assessment and Post-Assessment Validation Service

Assessment Validation represents one of the highest non-compliances at ASQA audits, if not conducted properly.

AssessRight Cost-Effective Service with Exceptional Outcomes

Conducting Assessment Validation sessions with your own team require a significant investment of resources, including staff, time, technology and finances. Additionally, if any of the validation team members lack proper experience in Assessment Validation and Assessment Judgements, there's a risk of both resource wastage and inaccuracies in the validation documentation. These errors could result in serious non-compliances during an audit.

Our team of Validators are prepared to handle all your Assessment Validation activities at a lower cost and with superior outcomes including developing gap assessment instruments for units where assessment tools are found to be non-compliant! We guarantee that our Assessment Validation practices are compliant and in alignment with the Standards for RTOs, offering the most competitive prices in the market.

Why Choose AssessRight Validation Services

AssessRight provides pre-assessment (pre-use) and post-assessment (post-use) validation services to help Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) accurately and efficiently assess the quality of their assessment tools.

Results from our validation activities provide clear, easy-to-understand and easy-to-action guidance on how to address any identified gaps. The expertise of our validation team is trusted by RTOs seeking confirmation that the tools for use in their courses are fit-for-purpose, will cover all of the unit of competency evidence requirements and are designed to collect sufficient and valid evidence.

We are committed to ensuring the ongoing systematic validation of your assessment tools, processes, practices and judgements for all the Training Products on your scope of registration.

Scope of Our Assessment Validation Service

The comprehensive scope of the Assessment Validation and Assessment Judgments for EACH UNIT include:

Reviewing and confirming that your 5-years Validation Plan/Schedule is in alignment with the Standards for RTOs, specifically clauses 1.9 and 1.10.
Reviewing and identifying any assessment-related risks that can significantly impact the integrity, validity, and reliability of the assessment process.
Reviewing and confirming that the mapping document is accurate and reliable.
Reviewing your Assessment Validation Policy and Procedure.
Reviewing the assessment tools to assess its suitability for intended purpose. This means, ensuring all Unit of Competency and Associated Assessment Requirements are covered including any pre-requisites, all Elements, all Performance Criteria, all Performance Evidence and all Knowledge Evidence requirements, all Foundation Skills, and all Assessment Condition requirements are covered by the assessment instruments.
Reviewing the clarity of instructions to users (learners and assessors).
Reviewing the assessment tools, ensuring they have been designed to allow for the provision of sufficient evidence that is valid, reliable, authentic, and current and will meet the requirements of the unit as well as satisfy the definition of competency per the Standards for RTOs 2015.
Reviewing students and assessors feedback on the assessment tools, if available.
Reviewing fields within the tool to confirm documents allow for the recording of evidence of judgements and other compliance-related requirements.
Analyse benchmark responses to confirm they are providing accurate guidance for acceptable responses in terms of quantities required and/or deviations in evidence provided by the student.
Reviewing data on students' completion info and rates for the selected unit/s, if applicable.
Validating a statistically valid sample of students completed assessments (Plans B & C), ensuring the Rules of Evidence have been met when the assessment judgement has been made, including:
Knowledge evidence being moderated
Skills evidence being moderated
Reviewing the administrative components of the assessment documentation
Analysing the tool to make a judgment on:
The flow of assessment tasks – that they represent logical processes that are clearly defined
Whether the assessment tools are consistent with the expected outcomes of the relevant AQF level
Documenting findings from the validation sessions into your ‘Assessment Validation Form/template’, or into an independent validation report, including suggestions for gap assessments and recommendations for continuous improvement.
Developing gap assessments for units where assessment tools are found to be non-compliant (fees apply).

Fee Structure, Plans and Additional Services

AssessRight Assessment Validation fees are based on your selected Plan/s. Fees are calculated according to the number of units to be Validated and the number of students valid sample of completed assessments to be Moderated.

We recognise that every RTO has its own specific needs, which is why we don't provide a single, one-size-fits-all Plan. Instead, we offer a range of Plans tailored to accommodate your individual requirements.

Contact us to receive our Assessment Validation Price List, which outlines our various Plans and the Additional Services fees we offer.

Note: This Service Does Not Include TAE Training Products.

AssessRight Assessment Validation Process

Getting started with our Assessment Validation Service is straightforward process:

Contact Us: Feel free to reach out to us at hello@assessright.com.au, and we'll promptly provide you with our Assessment Validation Price List, which encompasses the various Plans and Additional Services we offer.
Discussion Meeting: The process begins with a comprehensive discussion between the Validator and the RTO representative. This conversation provides a detailed overview of the entire Validation scope and process.
Approval and Invoice: Upon reaching a consensus on the service scope, we'll present you with an invoice based on the selected Plan/s and any other requirements. Your approval of the service will indicate that we can proceed to the next step.
Document Request: Once we receive confirmation of payment, the Validator will ask you to send through, via email, a set of documents relating to the specific unit/s that requires Validation & Moderation. Documents may include but not limited to:

Your RTO's 5-years Validation Plan/Schedule
A list of the Codes and Titles of the qualifications and unit/s to be validated, if not stated in your Validation Plan/Schedule.
The Assessment Tools for the selected unit/s.
The Mapping Document/s for the selected unit/s.
The Assessor Marking Guide/s for the selected unit/s.
Your RTO’s Assessment Validation Policy and Procedure.
Students and Assessors feedback on the assessment tools, if available.
A list of your nominated staff to be lead validator and participants for each of the selected unit/s, if not stated in your Validation Plan/Schedule.
Your trainers/assessors and other relevant personnel files (Additional Service - fees apply).
Data on students completion info and rates for the selected unit/s, if available.
A statistically valid sample of Students Completed Assessments for the selected unit/s (Plans B & C).
Your Assessment Validation Form/Template (in MS Word format).

Completed Validation Form Submission: Within 10-60 working days from receiving the required documents, the Validator will submit the Completed Validation Form/s (you have provided) or an independent validation report including identifying any gaps or areas of improvement in the assessment processes that will allow you to make necessary adjustments to enhance the quality of your training and assessment practices.

Note: The duration of the Assessment Validation may vary depending on your selected Plan including the number of units and number of students completed assessments, and any additional services required.

Benefits of our Assessment Validation Service

The advantages of our Assessment Validation process are numerous:

Compliance Assurance: Our validation procedures ensure alignment with regulatory standards and requirements, providing peace of mind regarding compliance with ASQA regulations.
Quality Assurance: We uphold rigorous standards to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of assessment outcomes, enhancing the overall quality of education and training delivery.
Cost-effectiveness: By outsourcing your Assessment Validation to our experienced team of validators, you can save on expenses associated with in-house validation efforts, such as staff training, validation sessions costs, etc.
Expertise: Our team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in Assessment Validation, minimising the risk of errors and enhancing the effectiveness of the validation process.
Time Savings: Outsourcing Assessment Validation allows your organisation to focus on core activities, saving valuable time and resources that can be allocated to other critical tasks.
Independent, Unbiased Review: Our Assessment Validation services offer an impartial assessment of your assessment tools, ensuring a fresh perspective free from internal biases or conflicts of interest.
Ad-hoc or Ongoing Contribution: Whether you require one-time validation assistance or ongoing support, our team can adapt to your needs. We offer flexibility in our services, serving as an ad-hoc contributor for specific validation sessions or as a consistent partner for your 5-years validation plan/schedule.
Continuous Improvement: Through thorough validation practices, we identify areas for improvement in assessment processes and provide valuable feedback for ongoing enhancement of educational practices.
Confidence and Reputation: By demonstrating a commitment to rigorous validation processes, your organisation can build trust with stakeholders and enhance its reputation within the education and training sector.

Understanding Assessment Validation and Assessment Judgment

The following content offers detailed information regarding Assessment Validation and Assessment Judgment in accordance with ASQA's requirements.

What Is Assessment Validation for RTOs?

The Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is under strict regulation which is handled by ASQA. One such regulation is the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These standards call for the constant enhancement of training and assessment practices. One of the methods for RTOs to identify potential improvements is through a process called assessment validation.

Validation is the process through which you scrutinise the quality of the assessment process. This includes checking if certain standards are being followed, like the Rules of Evidence and Principles of Assessment.

This process verifies that the assessment tools provide valid, reliable, adequate, recent, and genuine evidence. It helps the RTOs make sound judgements about whether the criteria of the training package or VET-accredited courses have been met.

Validation also involves examining a statistically valid sample of assessments. Based on this review, recommendations are made for enhancements to the assessment tool, process, and outcomes. Then, action is taken based on these recommendations.

Pre-use Validation - Validation of Assessment Tool

Pre-use validation, also known as an assessment review or pre-implementation validation, is a critical quality assurance process designed to ensure that assessment tools are effective and suitable for their intended use before deployment. This involves a thorough analysis of the tools to verify their alignment with specific competencies as stipulated in the training package.

The validation process includes mapping the tools to ensure comprehensive coverage of unit competencies and checking that they are structured to gather the correct evidence types. The ultimate goal of pre-use validation is to confirm that the tools are capable of supporting consistent and valid assessment judgments, thus ensuring their reliability, authenticity, and currency. This process is fundamental in maintaining the integrity and standard of assessments within Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Post-use Validation - Validation of Assessment Judgements

Post-use validation, often termed as formal validation or post-implementation validation, is a crucial process mandated by the Standards for RTOs 2015 for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). This validation activity is conducted after learners have received their assessment outcomes and involves a thorough review of the assessment tools and methods used.

The primary purpose is to ensure that the assessment procedures and decisions made were valid, ensuring that all training product requirements are met accurately. This highlights the importance of both pre-use validation and ongoing assessment reviews to address any potential issues early, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the validation process at the formal stage. This approach guarantees that the evidence collected is reliable, sufficient, current, and authentic, facilitating sound judgment by the RTO on learner achievements.

What are the Assessment Validation Responsibilities of an RTO?

A Registered Training Organisation has several assessment validation responsibilities.

They must ensure that their assessment methods and tools are valid and reliable, meaning they accurately measure the knowledge and skills of the learner.
They must also ensure that their assessors are competent and trained to conduct assessments fairly and consistently.
RTOs must have a system in place to monitor and evaluate their assessment practices’ effectiveness and make necessary improvements.
They must maintain accurate records of assessment outcomes and provide feedback to learners on their performance.

These responsibilities are critical to ensuring that learners receive high-quality training and assessment that will prepare them for success in their chosen careers.

What Does ASQA Require for Assessment Validation?

ASQA requires assessment validation to ensure that RTO's assessment tools and processes are consistent, reliable, and valid. This means that the assessment should be fair, flexible, and relevant to the training package or qualification being assessed.

ASQA requires that assessment validation includes a sample of assessments from each unit of competency or module, and that the validation process includes a range of assessors, including qualified trainers and industry experts.

ASQA also requires that the assessment validation process includes feedback and improvement strategies, and that the outcomes of the validation process are documented and reported to relevant stakeholders.

Overall, ASQA’s requirements for assessment validation aim to ensure that the assessments conducted by registered training organisations are of high quality and meet the needs of both learners and the industry.

In terms of the plan and a formal validation process, the Standards also require the following:

A systematic process in place (a validation plan)
A plan which covers specific quantities over set timeframes (five-year cycle to validate all training products on an RTO's scope; 50% to be completed within the first three years of any five-year cycle)
Details within the plan as to what will be validated when, and by who, and how any actions will be recorded and acted upon
Sampling method and statistically valid sample sizes to be used
Improvements to be documented and acted upon - including any identified rectification requirements

Evidence to Maintain

A plan for assessment validation to ensure that each training product is validated at least once every five years, with at least 50% of products validated within the first three years of each five-year cycle.

Evidence of the assessment validation procedure and the model of assessment validation used by the organisation.

Evidence of completed assessment validation that shows the process being applied, the statistically valid sample selected for the validation activity and the outcomes that were identified and how these are acted on.

Evidence of competency and currency of those persons who are leading assessment validation who are not directly involved in the particular instance of delivery and assessment of the training product being validated, and who has:

vocational competencies and currency
current knowledge and skills in vocational teaching and learning
current competency in training and assessment

How Many Units Per Qualification Should be Validated?

At least two units from each qualification must be validated; however, your RTO may choose to validate more if validation of the two units identifies risks or a potential harm to learners who may not have met the required assessment outcomes, inconsistent assessment judgements have been made by assessors or assessment has not been conducted in accordance with the Principles of Assessment or the Rules of Evidence.

The Impact of Non-Compliance with Regulatory Standards

Validation is an important responsibility for RTOs. However, it represents some of the highest non-compliances at ASQA audits, if not conducted properly.

Failure to comply with regulatory standards and guidelines can pose a significant risk. Identifying these risk indicators early can help RTOs mitigate potential issues and maintain the quality and integrity of their assessment processes.

Our experience has shown that RTOs do not comply because they do not address all requirements of the packaging rules, do not gather sufficient valid evidence for competency assessment, do not have trained staff for assessment validation activities, do not have complaint assessment resources and lack authentic assessment tools.