To ensure quality outcomes,assessments need to be valid, reliable, flexible, and fair.

• Valid means that the assessment actually measures all of the unit of competency requirements.
• Reliable means that the assessment can be applied to others and will get the same results.
• Flexible means that opportunity is given for a candidate to negotiate certain aspects of their assessment with their assessor (e.g. the type of evidence to be presented) .
• Fair means that the assessment does not disadvantage a particular candidate or group of candidates. (For example, complexity of language prevents candidate from displaying competency at the level required).
• Cost effective means that the time, resources and material costs are reasonable for the assessment to be made.