Overview
ESV has developed the following policy and process in relation to Special Consideration for electrical licence assessments.
Download the Application form: Special Consideration for an Electrical Licensing Assessment:
Purpose and Scope
Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) recognises that candidates may need to apply for special consideration when attempting electrical licensing assessments.
Special consideration is a process that aligns the electrical licensing assessments to the principle of reasonable adjustment. An assessment may be adjusted to meet the needs of an individual whilst not compromising the standard required in the assessment.
This policy applies to all candidates eligible to attempt an electrical licence assessment.
Categories
There are three categories under which a candidate may apply for special consideration:
- Extenuating circumstances
- English as an additional language (EAL)
- Medical or disability
Any special consideration granted shall apply to all future attempts of that assessment unless otherwise specified. ESV has the right to withdraw any special consideration if the application is found to be false, misleading, or the candidate’s circumstances have changed.
Extenuating circumstances
An extenuating circumstance is any event or circumstance that is outside a candidate’s capacity to prevent or overcome, that demonstrably affects the candidate’s capacity to complete the electrical licencing assessment tasks. All applications for special consideration on the basis of extenuating circumstances will be assessed on an individual basis. Applications under this category shall be eligible for additional time in which to complete the assessment, up to a maximum of 30 additional minutes.
As part of their application, candidates should explain what their extenuating circumstances are and how they impact on their capacity to complete the relevant electrical licencing assessment. Candidates must provide evidence of the requirements as set out below, and are encouraged to also provide any objective evidence to support their application.
Before applying for special consideration on the basis of extenuating circumstances, the candidate must have:
- attempted the assessment at least once;
- achieved a mark of at least 50 per cent or more;
- obtained a letter from their Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or tutor supporting the application;
- completed the applicable review process with the relevant assessment body based on the most recent attempt; and
- attended a course of training or tutorial for the relevant assessment.
English as an additional language (EAL)
Special consideration for candidates with English as an additional language may be considered for Licensed Electrical Theory (LET) and Licensed Electrical Practical (LEP) assessments.
Candidates with English as an additional language who have a contract of training under an Australian apprenticeship in an electrical trade shall be required to meet the extenuating circumstances pathway listed above.
Candidates with English as an additional language who have not completed an Australian apprenticeship in an electrical trade, and are eligible to sit the licensing assessment via the overseas trade recognition pathway, must have:
- completed the ‘Minimum Australian Context Gap course’ and
- obtained a letter from their Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or tutor supporting their application, and verifying their language difficulties.
Applications under this category shall be eligible for additional time in which to complete the assessment, up to a maximum of 30 additional minutes.
Medical or disability
Special consideration on medical or disability grounds may be considered for all licensing assessments.
Medical grounds may include diagnosed physical or mental health conditions or professionally diagnosed learning difficulties that will affect the candidate’s ability to complete the assessment in the required timeframe. Allowances may include the granting of extra time, solo assessments, or other assistance as deemed necessary.
Candidates must:
- obtain a letter of support from a medical practitioner, including a recommendation of the special consideration allowance required; and
- be prepared to work with ESV and the assessment venue to establish and implement any allowances.
Specialist services
Specialist services are available for all licensing assessments and may include, but are not limited to, scribes or Auslan interpreters. If specialist services are required a candidate must:
- obtain a letter from their Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or medical practitioner as appropriate, supporting the application, and;
- be prepared to work with ESV and the assessment venue to establish and implement any allowances, and;
- be prepared to work with ESV and the assessment venue to arrange the specialist to attend the assessment venue.
Any specialist used by the candidate in the assessment shall not have technical expertise in the subject area being assessed, to ensure they cannot advise the candidate on technical matters or otherwise influence the assessment result.
Cost
Assessment venues facilitating the licensing assessments have the right to request recovery of the additional costs from the candidate. Candidates should refer to their assessment venue for further information.
Responsibilities
The candidate is responsible for providing the required evidence, including proof of eligibility, to support their application for special consideration. The evidence provided must be relative to the special condition category they are applying for, and must be provided at the time of application.
ESV will process all applications in accordance with the application process below. Upon ESV approval, ESV will advise the candidate and the relevant assessment venue of any special conditions approved by ESV. If the candidate has not selected an assessment venue at the time of approval, or chooses to attend a different assessment venue, the candidate must liaise with the assessment venue to arrange any special conditions approved by ESV.
Assessment venues shall endeavour to cater to all reasonable requests. Assessment venues must advise the assessor facilitating the individual’s assessment of the special consideration applicable prior to the assessment event.
Application Process
Candidates should apply for special consideration using the Special Consideration application form:
Email the completed application form and relevant supporting evidence to assessmentaudit@energysafe.vic.gov.au.
ESV shall:
- provide the candidate with an acknowledgement of the receipt of the application.
- consider each application on its merits and in line with this policy, the ESV Assessment Rules, and the principle of reasonable adjustment. ESV may request further information from the candidate if required.
- process the application and provide a decision to the candidate within ten business days from receipt of the fully completed application and required supporting evidence. Only applications with the required supporting evidence can be approved.
All applications and information provided shall be managed in accordance with ESV’s Privacy and Data Security Policy:
Candidates will be advised via email or in writing of the outcome of their application.
Candidates who wish to discuss an application prior to applying should call ESV on 03 9203 9700 and ask to speak to a member of the Education and Assessment team.
Reviews or complaints
If you do not agree with the decision made by ESV in relation to your special consideration application and wish to appeal the decision or make a complaint, you may do so via ESV’s Complaints form.
References and related documents
Legislative references
Related Documents
- Energy Safe Victoria Licensing Assessment Rules:
This policy replaces the ESV Special Consideration Agreement dated July 2015.
Date: 31/03/2023 1:11
Controlled document
The currency and accuracy of this document cannot be guaranteed once printed or saved to a storage device. If in doubt, please check the ESV website for the current version.
Reviewed 28 January 2023