Pre-Use Assessment Validation – Initial Review
Overview
Pre-Use Assessment Validation is a quality assurance service designed to meet the requirement in Standard 1.3.2 of the Outcome Standards for RTOs. This standard requires assessment tools to be reviewed before they are used with students. The service provides an independent, structured validation of your assessment package against the requirements of the training product, the principles of assessment, and the rules of evidence. The service includes the initial review and reporting of an assessment package for a single unit of competency. There is also the option of a Secondary Review after your completed improvements at a reduced cost for the same client and same unit of competency.
Strengthening your assessment system
Assessment is the cornerstone of both compliance and student outcomes, and it is a mandatory requirement of the Outcome Standards for RTOs 2025 that assessment tools are validated before use. Without this safeguard, organisations may be relying on tools that are non-compliant with the requirements of the training package. The common gaps that appear in assessment tools include instances where the assessment does not properly address the performance criteria, where knowledge questions fail to reflect the knowledge evidence or are set at the wrong level, or where assessment instructions are incomplete or insufficient. Tools often lack adequate benchmarking to support practical observation, and in some cases do not contain the necessary controls to prevent plagiarism. This service is a comprehensive validation of your assessment package and will identify all areas for improvement.
There is of course no requirement for organisations to outsource pre-use validation. Many RTOs complete this process internally using their own trainers and compliance staff. However, this service is available to support those who may not have the expertise in-house or who need additional capability at certain times. Some organisations also choose to use an external review as a way to establish a benchmark for their own internal processes. By engaging an experienced compliance specialist to review their assessment tools and provide a detailed report, they gain a model of good practice that can then be applied across other tools and qualifications.
What the service includes
For each unit of competency submitted, you will receive a comprehensive validation report that:
- Confirms full mapping of tasks to the unit’s performance criteria, performance evidence, and knowledge evidence
- Reviews alignment with the principles of assessment: fairness, flexibility, validity, and reliability
- Checks that evidence produced will be valid, sufficient, authentic, and current
- Assesses the realism and industry relevance of the assessment context and conditions
- Reviews the clarity of assessor and student instructions and the suitability of benchmarks
- Documents findings, required improvements, and practical recommendations
The report is detailed and audit-ready, providing a record that can be filed as evidence within your quality system.
How it works
- Confirms full mapping of tasks to the unit’s performance criteria, performance evidence, and knowledge evidence
- Reviews alignment with the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence
- Assesses the realism and industry relevance of the assessment context and conditions
- Reviews the clarity of assessor and student instructions and the suitability of benchmarks
- Documents findings, required improvements, and practical recommendations
Who delivers the service
The validation is conducted by a VET Compliance Specialist with extensive knowledge of the VET sector, the Standards for RTOs, and the design and validation of assessments. The review is independent, detailed, and documented in a format that can be used directly as evidence of compliance at audit.
Pricing
The Pre-Use Assessment Validation service is offered at a fixed fee of $550 per unit of competency (inclusive of GST). This fee covers a complete validation of the assessment tool for a single unit of competency, together with a detailed written report that documents findings and recommendations.
Where an organisation chooses to rework its assessment tool in response to the recommendations provided, a Secondary Review service is available at a reduced fee of $275 per unit of competency (inclusive of GST). The Secondary Review confirms that the rectifications have been made and that the tool now aligns with the requirements of the training product, the principles of assessment, and the rules of evidence. It is supported with a short report that can be filed as part of your validation and audit records.
This pricing model is deliberately straightforward. The initial validation provides a full compliance review and recommendations. The Secondary Review is an optional follow-up service for organisations that wish to have their amended assessment tool independently checked and documented prior to release.
Cost: $550.00 per unit of competency – Pre-Use Assessment Validation – Initial Review.
If you are wanting multiple units of competency reviewed, the quantity can be adjusted at Checkout.
For clients seeking a Secondary Review of an assessment that has been previously reviewed by Newbery Consulting, please go to the following page to access this services Secondary Review.
Other information: Price is inclusive of GST. Newbery Consulting Terms and Conditions Apply. This services is required to be paid in advance of service being delivered.
Please contact us if you require more information.