Validation is a quality review process that confirms your RTO’s assessment system can consistently produce valid assessment judgements according to ASQA and the SRTOs 2015. A valid assessment judgement is one that confirms you have collected sufficient evidence of a learner holding all of the knowledge and skills described in the relevant unit of competency. Validation is conducted post assessment so you can confirm the validity of both assessment practices and judgements. The following advice is for validation panel members to assist with preparing and conducting validation activities.

Ensure you address information privacy requirements:

Prior to validation panel members accessing completed student work ensure that you have signed a confidentiality form before participating in the validation activity and handling student personal information.

Confirm information about unit of competency:

Validators should read the unit of competency requirements on TGA to ensure they are clear on all aspects of the training product being validated.

Check TAS’s and other documentation:

Validators should read thoroughly the information contained in TAS’s and other documents such as unit study guides to ensure they are clear on RTO assessment processes and assessment tasks involved.

Review assessment tools:

All validation panel members should familiarise themselves with the current version of the assessment tool being used for the unit/s being validated to check that it is the same as the version used in the student samples to be reviewed.

Review assessment mapping matrix:

The validation panel should confirm all required assessment tasks have been completed in the student samples gathered by cross-referencing the mapping document for the unit of competency being validated to ensure assessors have administered assessment correctly.

Review assessment tasks:

Validators should look at each assessment task and check the instructions provided so it can be confirmed that all the evidence collected in the student samples are appropriate and meet unit of competency requirements.

Check the AQF level:

Make sure you consider the AQF level of the training product so you can check that evidence collected in the student samples is appropriate.

Identify LLN requirements:

The validation panel should be aware of the units foundation skills requirements and LLN levels relevant to the training product when preparing to review the completed student work.

Involve industry:

Where practical invite an industry representative to provide feedback on the validation process and required workplace standards for the relevant unit of competency.

Collate and review the completed student work:

The validation panel should review assessor judgements and practices by checking the assessment evidence collected, student outcomes/assessor recordkeeping and feedback provided post-delivery by assessors.

Check assessor practices:

Validators should ensure they confirm that assessors have marked the completed student work consistent with benchmark answers and marking criteria and document those findings.

Make a decision on validation outcomes:

The designated Lead Validator should make a decision on the validation conducted based on the findings provided by validation panel members. Any non-compliances or continuous improvement actions required should be determined.

Record findings of validation outcomes:

The designated Lead Validator is responsible for completing the validation report including the actions to be completed post validation based on outcomes/findings determined.