The Victorian Government has committed to rebuilding the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and restoring confidence for students, families and schools, announcing it will accept all 11 recommendations of the second stage of Dr Yehudi Blacher’s root-and-branch review.
Victoria’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Mr Ben Carroll ordered a root-and-branch review of the VCAA in November 2025 following revelations some VCE exam questions were inadvertently leaked online ahead of last year’s exam period. A team of external reviewers were appointed to examine all elements of the VCAA’s operating model.
Mr Ben Carroll said the government is moving quickly to address issues identified in Dr Blacher’s review.
“Victorian students deserve a world-class education, and these actions will make sure the VCAA is fit to deliver that,” Mr Carroll said.
“This root-and-branch review of the VCAA has left no stone unturned in identifying the cause of last year’s mistakes and we’re wasting no time getting on with fixing them.
“Dr Blacher and his team have provided us with a roadmap for reform which, overseen by new CEO Andrew Smith, will deliver a stronger, more accountable, and more robust VCAA for Victorian students for years to come.”
Dr Blacher’s Stage Two report is a sweeping review of the VCAA’s structure, operations, culture and capability. In line with his recommendations, the VCAA will continue as an independent statutory authority.
The organisation’s leadership will be reset – excluding the newly appointed CEO – and the VCAA board will reset its priorities with a stronger focus on giving students, parents and teachers confidence.
The new board includes members with experience in education, governance, finance, law and HR, and will lead improvements to governance, accountability and financial management. To strengthen oversight, the Minister for Education will issue a statement of expectations to the VCAA every two years.
Dr Blacher also recommended improvements to policies and procedures, along with resetting external relationships to ensure better two-way communication with schools, staff and students.
Implementation and oversight
The new CEO of the VCAA, Mr Andrew Smith, will oversee implementation of the recommendations while prioritising the successful delivery of the 2025 exams and preparations for the 2026 exams.
“I understand that students and schools feel they have been let down by the VCAA. The last thing students need around their exams is additional stress,” Mr Smith said.
“I thank Dr Blacher for his work in completing this review. I welcome the report and think it provides a very clear plan for the Authority going forward.
“I want to assure everyone studying their VCE this year that the VCAA is fully focused on delivering a successful 2025 exam period and students, schools, and families can have every confidence we will do just that.”
The report also recommends an Independent Monitor remain in place for at least 12 months to safeguard the integrity of the 2026 exams.
Background to the review
Stage One of Dr Blacher’s review focused on safeguarding the 2025 VCE exams and made eight recommendations, which are on track to be delivered for this year’s exams.
Following Stage One, the VCAA Board was replaced with an interim board led by Department of Education Secretary Mr Tony Bates, tasked with overseeing the 2025 exams and future governance.
Dr Blacher said the Stage Two report reflects extensive consultation.
“In preparing this report, we conducted extensive discussions and workshops with staff in the VCAA and the Department of Education. We also met with key stakeholder groups and received 180 written submissions from current and former VCAA staff, stakeholder organisations, teachers and students,” Dr Blacher said.
“The overwhelming sentiment was one of sadness and disappointment that the VCAA was not functioning at the level they would like, and a willingness to assist in making it operate more efficiently and effectively in the future. That sentiment underpins this report.”
Both Stage One and Stage Two of the Blacher Review are available at vic.gov.au/blacher-review-vcaa.
