About the VCAA
The 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 2021–25.
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 of between 8 and 15 members, one of whom is the Secretary of the Department of Education, 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.
ation 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 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: VPC curriculum and assessment audit
School-based assessment is an essential feature of the VPC, allowing for local flexibility in both teaching and assessment practice. As part of the VCAA’s ongoing monitoring and quality assurance program for the VPC, it can request an audit of assessment tasks for school-based assessment in each VPC study from schools. 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 VASS 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 VPC 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 VPC curriculum design and the VPC assessment principles. The curriculum and assessment audit checks that schools comply with these requirements.
The VCAA will draw any irregularities identified by the auditing process to the attention of the principal. In the event of serious irregularity, the VCAA Executive Committee will determine whether disciplinary or other procedures will apply and may alter schools’ assessments in the light of evidence presented.
VCAA obligations to students
Collection of student enrolment data
The VCAA collects personal information from students to manage their enrolment in the VPC. 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 VPC status, such as 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 collected information secure and confidential. Only relevant VCAA staff members who deal with the specific processes for which the information was collected can access this 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 VPC 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
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. An application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) may be required in some circumstances.
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 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 VET with a:
- TAFE institute
- RTO
- 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 dataset 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 and parents or guardians 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.
For further information about the VSN and the Secretary’s Guidelines on the Victorian Student Number, see The Victorian Student Number on the VCAA website.