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Freedom of Information (FOI)

Part II Statement

Introduction

In accordance with Part II of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), certain information must be published about the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).

This Part II Statement outlines the functions of the VCAA and provides an overview of the types of documents and information we hold. It is not an exhaustive source or list. If you are searching for a particular document or information that is not listed here, you can search the VCAA website or contact us.

Statement 1 – organisation and functions

The VCAA provides high-quality curriculum, assessment and reporting to enable learning for life.

The VCAA came into existence on 1 March 2001 and succeeded the Board of Studies. It was established under the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Act 2000 (Vic) (repealed) and is continued under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) (ETR Act).

The VCAA is an independent statutory authority primarily accountable to the Minister for Education, and also the Minister for Training and Skills and the Minister for Higher Education in relation to the provisions of the ETR Act that are administered by those ministers.

The VCAA comprises four divisions:

  • The Curriculum Division includes leadership of Early Years project teams, the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Steering Committee, the Vocational Education Reference Group, VCE Study Review and Examination Setting panels, and curriculum and assessment committees of the VCAA Board. These groups and committees provide the VCAA with advice and recommendations on development, implementation and monitoring of early childhood learning and development, the Victorian Curriculum F–10, the VCE and VCAL, including VET programs and setting VCE examinations.
  • The Infrastructure and Business Services Division provides support and information services to the community, and support to the VCAA business operations including finance, human resources, governance, legal services, technology infrastructure, procurement, assurance and improvement, communications and international.
  • The Assessment and Reporting Division is responsible for policies and procedures associated with assessment, certification, measurement, analysis and reporting of student achievement, and for coordinating the division’s work programs, including the strategic redevelopment of the VCAA’s assessment technology. The division is responsible for the delivery of all VCE examinations, the NAPLAN tests, on demand testing, the Digital Assessment Library, education state target assessments and the development, delivery and marking of the General Achievement Test (GAT). The division also collects and processes student enrolment and assessment data, and manages the Victorian student register on behalf of the Secretary to the Department of Education and Training.
  • The Senior Secondary Certificate Reform Division is responsible for work on a new integrated senior secondary certificate that will bring together the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). More information about this division.

For further details regarding the VCAA’s organisational structure, see Our structure.

Pursuant to Part 2.5 of the ETR Act, the VCAA is responsible for:

  • developing high-quality courses and curriculum, and assessment products and services
  • carrying out functions as a body registered under Chapter 4 of the ETR Act
  • providing linkages that will facilitate movement between those courses and other courses.

The VCAA provides high-quality curriculum, assessment and reporting for all Victorian students and learners by developing and implementing the:

The VCAA also advises on the implementation of Vocational Education and Training (VET)  and celebrates student achievement through excellence and achievement awards.

The VCAA is registered by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) as an awarding body, pursuant to Chapter 4 of the ETR Act. The VCE and VCAL are accredited qualifications, pursuant to Chapter 4 of the ETR Act. For further information, visit the VRQA.

The functions of the VCAA are set out in Section 2.5.3(2) of the ETR Act.

The VCAA Board comprises 8–15 members who are appointed by the Governor-in-Council on nomination by the Minister for Education. Committees of the VCAA Board are the:

  • executive committee
  • audit committee
  • Early Years–10 curriculum and assessment committee
  • Senior secondary curriculum and assessment committee
  • review committees
  • international committee.

For more information about the VCAA Board, see Our board.

To access copies of an annual report, see Annual reports.

The VCAA Board and management may consult key stakeholders at times, including the government, Catholic and independent sectors and members of the public, in relation to VCAA functions. The VCAA welcomes feedback. Email your feedback.

The VCAA does not have a library or reading room that is open to the public. The VCAA website is accessible to the public.

Statement 2 – categories of documents

The VCAA creates and maintains a range of documents. Records are stored electronically and in hard copy.

The types of documents in the VCAA’s possession include:

  • policies, plans, procedures and guidelines
  • briefings and reports
  • frameworks
  • correspondence
  • timetables
  • study designs
  • examination papers and materials
  • information in other languages
  • VCE and VCAL administrative handbook
  • forms
  • applications
  • media releases, notices, bulletins
  • strategic plans and other corporate information
  • annual reports, budget and finance reports
  • board and committee agendas, papers and minutes that are not available to the public
  • internal administration documents relating to staff management and the operation of VCAA including personnel records, organisational and staffing records, financial and resource management records, audit records and internal operating procedures
  • legal documents including contracts, leases, licences, agreements, instruments of delegation, instruments of appointment, memoranda of understanding and legal advice
  • reports prepared by external consultants and contractors
  • requests for documents under the FOI Act
  • surveys, statistics and data
  • risk management assessments
  • tender evaluations
  • training materials
  • written and verbal complaints received, and records of any subsequent investigations.

The VCAA website can be searched for a wide range of information about the VCAA and its functions.

Statement 3 – Freedom of Information arrangements

Before submitting a formal FOI request, persons seeking information are encouraged to contact the relevant VCAA unit that is primarily responsible for maintaining the information being sought. In many cases, the information is available and can be provided more quickly and efficiently without the need for an FOI request. Additionally, you are encouraged to check if the information you are seeking is publicly available on our website.

All requests for access to documents not available through the relevant unit can be made under the FOI Act and must be made in writing to:

The Freedom of Information Officer
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Level 7, 200 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne, VICTORIA 3002
Australia

tel.: +61 3 9032 1629
email: vcaa.foi@education.vic.gov.au

View the Freedom of Information (FOI) application form

Requests for access to documents under Section 17 of the FOI Act should be accompanied by the prescribed application fee of $32.70. Please note that access charges may also apply.

Payment can be made by cheque or money order (payable to the VCAA) or by credit card.

For more information about how to make an FOI request, visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner website and watch their short video.

Officers responsible for Freedom of Information requests are:

Senior Solicitor,
Legal services unit

Principal Solicitor, Jenny Morris
Legal services unit

For more information, please call:

tel.: +61 3 9032 1629

Statement 4 – publications

The VCAA produces a range of publications which can be accessed on the VCAA website, including the following:

  • annual reports
  • notices to schools
  • a range of curriculum and assessment materials and information for educators, parents and students about
    • early years
    • foundation-10 curriculum
    • NAPLAN
    • literacy and numeracy
    • senior secondary levels, including
      • the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
      • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
      • the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).

The VCAA also publishes and distributes curriculum and assessment material directly to educators, parents and students.

The VCAA has the following subscription services and mailing lists available:

  • VCAA Bulletin
  • notices to schools
  • F-10 curriculum update
  • early years alert
  • Twitter account
  • VCE Season of Excellence update.

Statement 5 – rules, policies and procedures

The VCAA has produced a number of policies and procedures that govern daily operations and support the administrative functions of the VCAA and its staff.

Copies of these documents are available to the public on the VCAA website, and include the:

  • Complaints handling policy and procedures
  • Copyright policy
  • Conflict of interest policy and procedures
  • Gifts, benefits and hospitality policy and procedure
  • Child safe policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Protected disclosure procedures
  • Reportable conduct policy and procedures
  • Special provision policy.

The VCAA also produces a number of rules, policies, procedures and general guidance for VCE and VCAL principals, teachers and administrators. These are available on the VCAA website, and include:

  • the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook
  • VCE school leaders briefings
  • assessment advice for the VCE
  • general advice on the School-based assessment audit
  • principles, guidelines and processes for the development and review of VCE studies
  • roles and responsibilities of members of VCE studies review panels
  • VCAA principles, guidelines and procedures for prescribed VCE text lists
  • VCE assessment principles
  • VCE state reviewers roles and responsibilities and conditions of appointment
  • VCAL curriculum planning guides
  • VCAL assessment and planning guides
  • VCAL First – a guide for teachers new to the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning.

The above lists are not exhaustive. If you can't locate a specific document or information here then search the VCAA website, or contact us.

Statement 6 – report literature

The VCAA publishes an annual report each year which is tabled in Parliament. To download an annual report, see Annual reports.

For research and statistical information on a range of subjects, including post-compulsory completion, see Research and statistics.