Course Title: Assess competence

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: VE 2025

Class Number: 1059

Class Section: TAE4

For flexible terms and optional semesters, a Part B course guide may have been published for the entire teaching period, or for the specific class number in which you are enrolled. If there is no Part B course guide published for your specific class number, please refer to the guide for the teaching period in which you are enrolled. Enrolment Online is the definitive source for details regarding your class enrolment.

Course Code: TCHE5952C

Course Title: Assess competence

School: 525T Business & Enterprise

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4436 - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Course Contact: Jeremy Glover

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1485

Course Contact Email: jeremy.glover@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Nil

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan, prepare for and conduct the competency-based assessment of candidates using nationally recognised training products and validated assessment tools. It involves planning and preparing for the assessment based on the accessed training and assessment strategy and delivery plan. The unit also involves customising the assessment process; preparing candidates to be assessed; and then implementing assessment processes, including recognition of prior learning. Implementing assessment requires gathering quality evidence, making assessment judgements, and recording and reviewing the assessment process.

The unit applies to entry-level vocational education and training (VET) assessors who assess candidates against nationally recognised training products.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

TAEASS412 Assess competence

Element:

1. Plan and prepare to conduct assessment

Performance Criteria:

  • 1.1 Access registered training organisation (RTO) assessment system and legislative and regulatory requirements and confirm assessment policies and procedures relevant to own job role
  • 1.2 Access training and assessment strategy and delivery plan and identify purpose, target group, requirements and resources for assessment
  • 1.3 Access and analyse unit/s of competency and assessment tool, and check that tool maps to unit/s and assessment requirements and complies with the principles of assessment and rules of evidence
  • 1.4 Identify actions required to be undertaken by candidate and assessor in preparation for assessment
  • 1.5 Identify and obtain resources required to meet assessment conditions according to organisational procedures

Element:

2. Customise assessment process

Performance Criteria:

  • 2.1 Identify where recognition of prior learning (RPL) and/or reasonable adjustment is required and can be appropriately applied to the assessment process without compromising the assessment’s integrity
  • 2.2 Review foundation skill requirements of the unit of competency and foundation skill levels of candidates
  • 2.3 Seek specialist advice and support where foundation skill support is required prior to assessment
  • 2.4 Review information about candidates’ industry and/or work roles and identify any contextualisation required of assessment process
  • 2.5 Determine and apply suitable methods to achieve required contextualisation
  • 2.6 Record any modifications to assessment process according to organisational procedures

Element:

3. Prepare candidates

Performance Criteria:

  • 3.1 Explain to candidates the assessment process, performance standards, and any customisation made to assessment process, according to organisational procedures
  • 3.2 Confirm that candidates understand and agree to assessment process and are aware of their right to appeal
  • 3.3 Confirm with candidates that they are ready for assessment
  • 3.4 Schedule assessment activities according to organisational procedures

Element:

4. Collect evidence

Performance Criteria:

  • 4.1 Organise, contextualise, and confirm assessment activities and candidate support according to assessment tool instructions
  • 4.2 Use agreed assessment methods and instruments to gather, organise and document evidence in a format suitable for determining competence and according to principles of assessment and rules of evidence
  • 4.3 Identify, monitor, and address within scope of own role work health and safety (WHS) hazards and risks during evidence collection
  • 4.4 Monitor and adjust reasonable adjustments as required to accommodate candidate needs while maintaining rigour of assessment process
  • 4.5 Record judgement of satisfactory or not satisfactory performance on all instruments, together with reasons for that judgement
  • 4.6 Provide candidates with feedback on performance, support and opportunities to re-submit assessments according to organisational procedures

Element:

5. Make assessment judgement

Performance Criteria:

  • 5.1 Review collected evidence and confirm that rules of evidence and principles of assessment have been met
  • 5.2 Ensure that required assessment activities have been completed according to VET regulatory requirements and the assessment guidance and are assessed as satisfactory before making a judgement of competence
  • 5.3 Seek moderation to assist in making the final judgement where required and according to organisational requirements
  • 5.4 Make assessment judgement based on evidence of individual candidate’s demonstrated competence against evidence requirements
  • 5.5 Record judgement of competence, details of how judgement was made, and any modifications or adjustments made to assessment process
  • 5.6 Provide feedback to candidate on performance and assessment judgement according to organisational procedures
  • 5.7 Implement and document required follow-up for those candidates deemed not yet competent
  • 5.8 Complete and submit assessment records and results according to organisational procedures

Element:

6. Review assessment practice

Performance Criteria:

  • 6.1 Seek feedback relevant to own assessment practice and according to organisational procedures
  • 6.2 Analyse assessment and own assessment practice and feedback and identify opportunities for improvements

Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities include discussions, quizzes, peer presentations, small group work, online research tasks, simulations and creating workplace documents. These activities and the participant manual form a core component of the course and many of the relevant activities will need to be completed prior to the live session each week, whereas others are done during class-time.

 

The learning resources and activities listed above are all accessed via "Modules" from the Canvas Course Menu.


Teaching Schedule

WeekDateTopic / Learning activitiesAssessments

Week 1

 10-16 February

Topic 1 - Use nationally recognised training products

  • Introduction to Assessment in VET Module, format, learning and assessment outcomes.
  • Nationally Recognised Training and Training Packages
  • Competency-based assessment in VET
  • Explore Training Packages, qualifications, units and accredited courses.
  • Start Assessment Task 01 (Knowledge Questions) which continues over the next 2 weeks

 

 

 

 

Week 2

 17-23 February

Topic 2 - Introduction to competency-based assessment

  • Review Week 1 content 
  • Features of Competency-based assessment
  • Assessment terminology
  • Assessment pathways
  • Quality assessment
  • Assessment methods, tools and instruments
  • Assessor roles and responsibilities
  • Assessing competence
  • Discuss Assessment Tasks 01 (Knowledge Questions) 
  • Outline Assessment Tasks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

 

 

Week 3

 24 Feburary-2 March

Topic 3 - Assess competence

  • Review key content from Week 1 covered so far -
  • Assessment terminology, Assessment Tool components, quality assessment
  • Preparing for assessment, briefing candidates, assessing candidates, making judgements

Topic 4 - Participate validation

  • Introduction to assessment validation
  • Assessment Task 02 (Package an AQF qualification to meet identified needs) – carried out in class in small groups
  • Prepare to carry out Assessment Task 03 in class in small groups
  

Week 4

 3-9 March
  • Revisit preparing for pre-assessment validation
  • Assessment Task 03 (Participate in pre-assessment validation x 3) – carried out in class in small groups
  • Outline requirements of Assessment Task 04 (Assess competence x 4)
  • Prepare to carry out Assessment Task 04 in class in small groups

AT02 (Package an AQF qualification). Due Sunday 09/03/25 at 11:59pm 

Week 5

 10-16 March
  • Revisit preparation for assessment including briefing and documentation 
  • Assessment Task 04 Assess competence x 4) - Day 1 - Brief candidates (– carried out in class in small groups
  • Prepare to carry out Assessment Task 04 in class in small groups

AT03 (Assessment Validation) Due Sunday 16/03/2025 at 11:59pm
Week 6 17-23 March
  • Revisit preparation for assessment including briefing and documentation 
  • Assessment Task 04 (Assess competence x 4) - Day 2 - Assessments – carried out in class in small groups

 
Week 7 24-30 March
  • Revisit preparation for assessment including briefing and documentation 
  • Assessment Task 04 (Assess competence x 4) - Day 2 - Assessments – carried out in class in small groups
  • Outline requirements of Assessment Task 05 (Assess by RPL x 2)
  • Prepare to carry out Assessment Task 05 in class in small groups
 AT01 Knowledge Questions (KQ) Due Sunday  30/03/2025 at 11:59pm
Week 8  31 March - 6 April
  • Revisit RPL, briefing, methods, tools, tips and pitfalls
  • Assessment Task 05 (assess RPL x 2) - Stage 1 – carried out in class in small groups
  • Prepare to carry out Assessment Task 05 in class in small groups

AT04 (assess competence x4) Due Sunday 06/04/2025 at 11:59pm

 
Week 9  7-13 April
  • Revisit RPL, briefing, methods, tools, tips and pitfalls
  • Assessment Task 05 (assess RPL x 2) - Stage 2 – carried out in class in small groups
  • Outline requirements of Assessment Task 06 (Participate in assessment validation x 3)
  • Prepare to carry out Assessment Task 06 in class in groups
  
Week 10  14-20 April
  • Assessment Validation revisited
  • Assessment Task 06 (Participate in assessment validation x 3) – carried out in class in small groups
  • Review and assessment and resubmission process

 

Mid-Semester Break: 18-25 April

Week 11 28 April - 4 May Final Resubmissions (Non-Teaching Week)

 AT05 (assess RPL x2) Due Sunday 04/05/2025 at 11:59pm

AT06 (validate x3) Due Sunday 04/05/2025 at 11:59pm


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Performance Evidence

The individual must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

  • conduct a total of at least 6 assessments, at least 1 of which must use recognition of prior learning (RPL).

The above assessments must be for 3 different candidates against all requirements specified in at least 2 different units of competency from a nationally recognised training package or accredited course. The same 2 units may be used for each candidate.

In the course of the above assessments, the individual must:

  • use current and validated assessment tools
  • customise the assessment process of at least 1 of the above candidates to:
  • contextualise for candidate’s work role and environment, and
  • make reasonable adjustments for special needs where this will not compromise the requirements of the unit of competency, or explain and justify a reasonable adjustment that could be made in at least one of the above assessments
  • make assessment judgements according to vocational education and training (VET) regulatory requirements
  • identify and apply at least 3 changes to improve own assessment practice based on feedback from candidate and self-reflection.

Knowledge Evidence

The individual must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

  • legislative and VET regulatory requirements relating to assessing competence, including those relating to:
  • assessor requirements, including qualifications and currency
  • principles of assessment
  • rules of evidence
  • recognition of prior learning
  • use of industry experts
  • reasonable adjustment
  • assessment system policies and procedures, including organisational requirements for:
  • planning and preparing for assessment
  • preparing candidates for assessment
  • customising assessment process
  • conducting recognition of prior learning
  • making and recording reasonable adjustments
  • gathering, organising and recording assessment evidence in line with ethics, privacy and confidentiality requirements
  • making and moderating assessment judgements
  • making and recording assessment judgements
  • communicating assessment judgements and feedback to the candidate
  • key features of competency-based assessment, including:
  • VET as a competency-based system
  • how competency-based assessment differs from other types of assessment
  • definition of competence
  • assessment purposes and contexts
  • nature and scope of evidence gathered, including evidence collected from other parties
  • processes for analysing nationally recognised training products to identify evidence needed to demonstrate competence
  • dimensions of competency and how they guide assessment practices
  • processes for identifying and organising foundation skills support for candidates, including use of current authorised Australian foundation skills frameworks
  • types of assessment pathways, including:
  • learning and assessment
  • assessment only, including recognition of prior learning
  • difference between assessment tools and assessment instruments
  • key structure, functions and content of assessment tools:
  • instructions to the candidate and assessor
  • context and conditions of assessment
  • tasks to be administered to candidate
  • mapping against units of competency
  • assessment methods, including suitability for gathering evidence, suitability for nationally recognised unit of competency content, resource requirements, and associated assessment instruments:
  • direct observation
  • product-based methods
  • questioning
  • methods to contextualise an assessment process while maintaining its integrity
  • nature and scope of reasonable adjustment in assessment, and when it applies
  • how to check and maintain the rigour of the assessment process using the mapping against units of competency
  • how the principles of assessment guide the assessment process
  • how the rules of evidence guide the assessment process
  • how to make objective assessment judgements, and manage own bias and conflicts of interest
  • practices and methods that promote safe and inclusive assessment environments, including using appropriate and inclusive language when providing candidates with information
  • work health and safety (WHS) responsibilities relating to assessing competence.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means a student has consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.   

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.  
  
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates.

Due Dates are provided in both the Syllabus tab and the Assignments tab in Canvas 

  

Results

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:  

CA: Competency Achieved  
NYC: Not Yet Competent 

 

Names and due dates of Assessment Tasks

Task 01 Knowledge Questions                                                Due: 30/03/2025

Task 02 Package an AQF Qualification to meet client needs       Due: 09/03/2025

Task 03 Participate in pre-validation (3)                                  Due: 16/03/2025

Task 04 Assess competence (4)                                              Due: 04/043/2025

Task 05 Assess RPL (2)                                                          Due: 20/04/2025

Task 06 Participate in assessment validation (3)                       Due: 20/04/2025


Assessment Matrix

The Assessment Matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available

through Program Administration if required.  

Other Information

Attendance:  

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises   

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.  

  

Information about your studies:  

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students  

  

Assessment:  

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment  

  

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:   

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity  

  

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:   

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.    

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit  

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview