Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment assessors
Become a VAPA Assessor
By becoming a Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership VAPA assessor, you play a key role in shaping the future of education leadership in Victoria. Your expertise in evaluating aspiring principals ensures that only the most capable and prepared educators are entrusted with leading our schools, directly impacting the success and well-being of Victorian students and staff.
The VAPA Assessor role
Assessors play a critical role supporting aspiring principals on their pathway to principalship. Assessors are responsible for:
- onboarding VAPA candidates
- assessing, moderating and scoring candidate portfolios
- preparing and conducting candidate interviews
- moderating and finalising candidate scores
- attending meetings and training.
Lead and Partner Assessors
- Lead Assessors are responsible for onboarding of their assigned candidates and the assessment of these candidates. They are the primary point of contact for assigned candidates throughout the assessment.
- Partner Assessors are responsible for the assessment of their assigned candidates. They also hold responsibility for supporting the lead to ensure bias is checked and there is adherence to process.
Length of appointment
- Assessor roles are available for an initial 2-year period.
- The Academy may offer up to 2 additional agreements with terms of up to one year each, at the Academy's sole and absolute discretion, to be confirmed in writing at least one month prior to the completion date of each iterative Agreement.
- The total duration would be no longer than 4 years in total (2026-2029).
Assessment pool
The assessment pool will comprise a Lead Assessor and Partner Assessor trained in the VAPA and emotional intelligence frameworks and assessment methods. The pool is responsible for:
- assessing candidate portfolios
- interviewing and moderating candidate performance scores
- making an overall ‘on-balance’ judgement of a candidate’s current level of competence.
VAPA Assessor application process
Key dates:
2025 applications to become an Assessor for the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA) closed on the 29 August 2025 and the outcome is expected to be advised by December 2025.
Additional information
Frequently asked questions
What is VAPA?
The Academy delivers the VAPA as part of a system-wide approach to identifying and preparing Victoria’s next generation of principals. The assessment enables aspiring and past principals to:
- evaluate readiness for the principal role
- identify targeted professional development needs
- create an evidence base for professional recognition of performance.
The assessment entails a mixed-method approach to assessment and reporting that involves an interview, 360-degree assessment, and a portfolio.
What is the difference between a Lead Assessor and a Partner Assessor?
Lead Assessor is the primary point of contact for candidates and guides them through the assessment. A Partner Assessor supports the Lead Assessor in various tasks like portfolio evaluation and interviews.
How long is the appointment for assessors?
The initial appointment is for a two-year period, with the possibility of two additional one-year extensions, for a maximum of four years in total.
Is this role suitable for full-time Victorian Public Service employees?
No, Victorian Public Service employees working full-time are advised not to apply due to the significant time commitment required for this role.
