Assessments are designed to help you demonstrate the skills and knowledge you learn in your course and are an essential part of your training. They allow us to confirm that you can perform tasks to the standard required in the workplace, and that you can meet all of the requirements of your course.
Under the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) guidelines, it is required that assessment processes are valid, reliable, flexible and fair. Clear information about the assessment process and evidence requirements will be provided by your teacher/s at the beginning of your course or assessment task.
Your teachers will assess your skills, knowledge and competence through evidence gathered from a range of sources, and using a variety of assessment methods.
If you are unable to complete an assessment at the specified time because of circumstances beyond your control (e.g. illness), you must contact your teacher and discuss your options for completing the assessment at another time.
While studying at TasTAFE, you may be assessed in a number of different ways. Some common assessment methods include:
- completing workplace documents
- observations on the job and/or in a simulated assessment environment
- quizzes/multiple choice tests
- research projects
- tests – written or practical
- verbal questioning
- work samples
- written assignments or short answers.
All assessments in your course will have guidelines to help you understand what is required of you and how your work will be assessed.
You will be given guidelines before you start your assessment. The guidelines are an important part of your assessment, so if you don’t understand what you need to do, please let your teacher/s know as soon as possible so they can explain and clarify what is needed.
If you are not satisfied with an assessment process or have an assessment result you are unhappy with, you may appeal the decision.
The first place to start is by approaching your teacher. However, if you are not sure about the best way to raise your concern, or would like to initially discuss it informally with someone other than your teacher, you can contact us on 1300 655 307 and ask to speak with a Student Counsellor. Anything you discuss will remain confidential.
If, after you have spoken with your teacher, your assessment appeal is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can have the decision or outcome reviewed.
You can also seek an external review by raising your concerns with:
- Australian Skills Quality Authority – 1300 701 801
- Equal Opportunity Tasmania – 1300 305 062
- Tasmanian Ombudsman – 1800 001 170
Assessment Appeal forms are available from Client Services.
When you begin your course at TasTAFE, your teacher will provide you with the information and skills you need to avoid academic misconduct. It is important you apply these skills for all work you submit and all presentations you give to your class group.
Academic misconduct includes any of the following:
- plagiarising
- colluding
- cheating (including contract cheating)
- using unauthorised materials in an assessment situation
- falsifying or fabricating data or information
- acquiring assessment materials without permission/approval
- discussing assessments already conducted with another student prior to them undertaking the assessment
- failing to acknowledge others' contributions to assessment products
- failing to acknowledge sources of information
- copying someone else’s work
- allowing your own work to be copied by another student and being presented as theirs
- assisting another student to carry out plagiarism.
All assessment work submitted as evidence of your competence must be your own work, and your conduct in relation to the work you submit must not be dishonest in any way.
Did you know... sharing your assessment evidence with other TasTAFE students during your studies, or after you have completed your study, is academic misconduct.
For example - if Jamie shares their assessment evidence with another TasTAFE student or shares their assessment evidence using an online website, Jamie is participating in academic misconduct. This means that Jamie is in breach of the TasTAFE Bylaws (Reg 14) and the Student Code of Conduct - which may result in Jamie receiving a course suspension.
Incidents of student misconduct in relation to assessment is considered a disciplinary offence and a breach of the TasTAFE Bylaws (Reg 14) and the Student Code of Conduct.
It is your responsibility as a student at TasTAFE to provide authentic, original assessment evidence and not engage in academic misconduct.
Your responsibilities include:
- being aware of your responsibility in regard to academic misconduct
- referencing all assessments appropriately (where required)
- seeking advice and support from TasTAFE staff regarding source information and referencing if you are unsure.
You may appeal any decision regarding academic misconduct as per the Assessment Appeals Policy.
Allegations of academic misconduct will be investigated and managed in a professional and ethical manner. At all times, your rights for support, advocacy and appeal will be communicated and provided.
All TasTAFE students have the responsibility for ensuring they comply with current copyright laws as stated in The Australian Copyright Act 1968 in relation to downloading, copying and reproducing print, media and online resources.
Information about your responsibilities as a student is available from the smartcopying website or by having a chat to one of TasTAFE’s library staff.
Once you complete all assessments relevant to a unit, you will be awarded a ‘result’ or ‘outcome’.
There are a number of results you can be awarded – some of the most common are:
- CP – Competent
- NP – Not Competent
- RCP – Competent through Recognition.
You can request a record of your results at any time during your course by contacting your teacher or by asking one of our Client Services staff members.
Regardless of whether you are studying a full qualification, skill set or short course, you will receive a printed Certificate upon successful completion of the course.
A full qualification Certificate will be accompanied by a Statement of Results of the units undertaken.
For further information in regards to your results, please speak directly with your teacher/s and/or a Student Counsellor.
To obtain a replacement Certificate, Statement of Results or Statement of Attainment, please contact your relevant delivery unit administration staff member, or complete the Request for Re-issue Certificate or Statement of Attainment Form.
Note– there will be a cost for replacement Certificates and Statements of Attainment.