Revised standards for Quality Area 1 – Training and Assessment

MARCH 2025

Read below to find out how Skin Deep Learning resources can help you to meet the revised standards for RTOs.

Standard 1.1 - Training is engaging and well-structured and enables VET students to attain skills and knowledge consistent with the training product.

(a) Training is consistent with the requirements of the Training Package

Skin Deep Learning resources undergo a rigorous planning process to ensure that all learning materials, activities, assessments, policies, procedures, and associated documents align comprehensively with the Performance Criteria, Performance Evidence, and Knowledge Evidence outlined in the Training Package. Each document is mapped in the Evidence Map, clearly showing where it correlates with the requirements of the Training Package. Additionally, all documents are carefully written to ensure it is at the appropriate AQF level, and that the evidence required is at the AQF level.

(b) The mode(s) of delivery enable VET students to attain skills and knowledge consistent with the training product

Regardless of whether an RTO is using our online resources, hardcopy resources, or a blend of both, our materials are designed to be suitable for the chosen mode of delivery. The online resources, in particular, are created to be interactive and engaging, ensuring an enriching learning experience that goes beyond simple PDFs or Word documents. This approach ensures that students can acquire the necessary skills and knowledge appropriate to the mode of delivery. We have created hairdressing videos that align directly with the Training Package requirements and will also be creating a limited number of videos for beauty therapy courses.

(d) Training techniques, activities and resources engage VET students and support their understanding

We understand that many VET students don’t typically enjoy extensive reading. That’s why our resources are written in a conversational tone, making complex concepts easy to understand and relevant to the environments where students will apply their knowledge. Skin Deep Learning NEVER uses Training Package language in our learning materials or assessments. Everything is written so that students can clearly understand what is required of them and it makes sense for the ‘real world.’ We incorporate plenty of visuals and colour to maintain engagement and design learning activities that help students prepare for assessments. We also have quizzes and videos to engage the student as they learn the content. Each document within the system is interconnected, which guides students on a cohesive learning journey that prepares them for assessment. Skills are also designed to be practiced across various contexts and real-world scenarios to ensure students know what to do when they apply the skills practically.

Standard 1.3 - The assessment system is fit-for-purpose and consistent with the training product.

(a) Assessment is consistent with the requirements of the training product

All assessments undergo a rigorous planning process. The Performance Assessments, Observation Checklists and Performance Benchmark Guideline are all designed to provide evidence for the Performance Criteria of the Training Package. The Knowledge Assessment is designed to cover the Knowledge Evidence of the Training Package. All assessments are mapped in the Evidence Map to clearly show where evidence can be found.

(b) Assessment tools are reviewed prior to use to ensure assessment can be conducted consistent with the principles of assessment and rules of evidence

Our assessment tools undergo thorough review by industry experts and other RTOs. This means that your RTO doesn't have to rely solely on internal personnel; you can trust that our resources have been trialled and tested by many students, trainers and RTOs, ensuring their reliability and validity.

Skin Deep Learning has a rigorous Continuous Improvement System where feedback from auditors, trainers, industry professionals and compliance professionals is used to improve and update our resources. A Continuous Improvement Report is provided on an annual basis that outlines all of the updates made to resources based on review from third parties.

Standard 1.4 The assessment system ensures assessment is conducted in a fair and appropriate way and enables accurate judgements of VET student competency.

The RTO demonstrates:

(a) assessment is conducted in a way that is consistent with the following principles of assessment:

(i) fairness – assessment takes into account VET student needs, including through applying adjustments where appropriate and enabling reassessment if necessary

The RTO has an obligation to inform the learner about the assessment process. In order to do this, the RTO needs to understand the Skin Deep Learning assessment methodology

(ii) flexibility – assessment is appropriate to the context, training product and VET student, and assesses skills and knowledge held by the VET student irrespective of how or where they have been acquired

Skin Deep Learning has drawn from a range of assessment methods that are appropriate to the context, the Unit of Competency and the associated requirements. It is the role of the RTO to assess and respond to the flexibility requirements of a student cohort and their needs. This can be documented in the Performance Benchmark Guideline Document. If an individual student has further flexibility requirements the Performance Benchmark Guideline can be tailored to the specific needs of that learner and should be assessed accordingly.

Skin Deep Learning draws on a range of assessment methods to suit the AQF level of the unit and the requirements of the Training Package, which include role plays, portfolios, research tasks, oral questions, workplace tasks and direct observation.

(iii) validity – assessment of skills and knowledge is integrated with practical application and would enable the VET student to demonstrate these skills and knowledge in similar situations

All Units of Competency (UOCs) have a Performance Assessment that collects evidence that the student can apply the practical skills required by the UOC with different clients and in different contexts. Each Performance Assessment is designed to gather evidence of students' practical skills across different scenarios and client interactions.

Additionally, each Performance Assessment incorporates questions aimed at confirming the student's understanding of:

The specific actions involved in the task
Proper and safe task execution techniques
The rationale behind the approach used to complete the task

(iv) reliability – assessment evidence is interpreted consistently by assessors and the outcomes of assessment are comparable irrespective of the assessor conducting the assessment

The Skin Deep Learning Methodology has been designed so that the Knowledge Assessment has been marked as competent prior to performance of an observable event. The observable behaviours are defined by the Performance Benchmark Guideline document and the supporting documents, such as Consultation Forms and Treatment Plans. This evidence is to be used to ensure consistency and later for reliability verification. As such, the Observation Checklist is simply a checklist that follows the overall tasks broken down into a step by step guide in the Marking Guide. It cannot be used for reliability verification without the other supporting documents that provide contextualisation. These supporting documents provide the student and assessor with the definition of the task and the observable behaviours required for a competent assessment.

(b) assessors make individual assessment judgements that are justified based on the following rules of evidence:

(i) validity – the assessment evidence assures the assessor that the VET student has the skills and knowledge described in the training product

The Skin Deep Learning system is designed to collect specific, detailed, and contextualised evidence that applies to a broad range of skills and knowledge. The Performance Assessments and supporting documents (such as the Performance Benchmark Guideline, Consultation Forms and Treatment Plans) define what needs to be observed (observable behaviours) in the specific assessment environment.

In the case of the Consultation Form and Treatment Plans the assessor marks these documents as competent prior to the task being carried out. This gives the student and assessor an agreed definition of what will constitute a competent assessment beyond the Performance Benchmarks. These documents, when completed over multiple clients demonstrate a range of skills being applied to a range of situations.

The Observation Checklist then becomes a checklist to collect evidence that the student has performed the task in the way that was defined and agreed upon in the relevant assessment and supporting documentation. The Performance Benchmark Guideline is used to assess competency on the Observation Checklist. The collection of evidence from all of these documents provides a specific, detailed and contextualised confirmation of the student’s competency in a range of situations.

(ii) sufficiency – the quality, quantity and relevance of the assessment evidence enables a judgement of competency to be made

The sufficiency of evidence collected in each Unit of Competency (UOC) is crucial to making an accurate judgment of competency. Every UOC in the Skin Deep Learning System has multiple assessments as specified by the Training Package, requiring the student to perform the task several times with different clients and in various contexts. Through the Performance Assessment, students provide evidence that they understand how to adapt the task to suit each client’s needs and the reasons behind these adjustments. The Performance Benchmark Guideline offers observable benchmarks for 'best practice,' which, when demonstrated consistently by the student across different clients and contexts, reflect the quality of the task being performed at an industry standard level. This ensures that the evidence collected is not only sufficient in quantity but also relevant and of high quality.

(iii) authenticity – the assessment evidence presented is the VET student’s own work

The Skin Deep Learning System does not collect evidence of authenticity. This is a requirement of the RTO.

(iv) currency – the assessment evidence demonstrates the current skills and knowledge of the VET student.

The currency of assessment evidence is ensured through continuous consultation with industry experts who are actively working in the industry and possess up-to-date skills and knowledge of industry requirements. This ensures that all assessments reflect the most current practices, standards, and expectations within the industry.

To further maintain the currency of the Skin Deep Learning System, the following measures are in place:

Regular updates and reviews of assessments to reflect any changes in industry standards, regulations, or practices.
Incorporation of feedback from industry professionals into the assessment design process.
Alignment of assessments with technological advancements and shifts in industry trends.