The QCAA operates quality assurance processes for internal assessment in Applied, Applied (Essential), General, General (Extension) subjects, and Short Courses.
These quality assurance processes support schools to develop and administer assessment instruments and ensure consistency of judgments about student responses. The processes support the continuous improvement of assessment practices in schools.
Principles of quality assurance
Quality assurance processes incorporate the following principles:
- There is alignment between teaching, learning, and assessment.
- Teachers implement syllabuses and develop teaching, learning and assessment for students in their local context.
- Teachers make judgments about student achievement using evidence in student work.
- Quality assurance processes — including feedback and professional conversations — promote continuous improvement, which both helps teachers improve teaching, and informs assessment practices.
| Subject | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Applied subjects | School quality management system | Study plan approval + School quality management system | ||
| 2024 Applied subjects | School quality management system | Applied quality assurance (from 2025) | ||
| Applied (Essential) | School quality management system | Endorsement + Applied quality assurance | ||
| General | School quality management system | Endorsement + Confirmation | ||
| General (Extension) | n/a | Endorsement + Confirmation | ||
| Short course | School quality management system | n/a | ||
Schools
The Senior secondary certification agreement completed annually by principals requires schools to develop an effective internal quality management system that enables schools to meet all requirements of the certification agreement and:
- incorporate the principles of quality assurance
- communicate and manage roles and responsibilities
- gather and store evidence as required
- ensure readiness for QCAA quality assurance processes
- report accurate information to the QCAA.
The QCAA provides ongoing support to schools to develop and manage the school quality management system.
