A critical report revealed that a culture characterized by blame, fear, secrecy, and unstable leadership led to preventable errors at Victoria’s state examination authority.

The review has called for a major reform after it found the authority suffers from a lack of leadership and a poor organisational culture.

He said VCAA’s leadership would be immediately reset, excluding new chief executive Andrew Smith.

“Victorian students do deserve a world-class education and they should have every confidence in their VCE examinations,” Carroll said.

“This [week] we’re celebrating the AFL Grand Final, and this is like the students’ AFL Grand Final… it is so important we get it right.”

Carroll said the recommendations will make VCAA a “stronger” authority for Victorian students.

Smith told reporters today the VCAA would now focus efforts on 2025 exams to ensure nothing is done to put them at risk.

“I understand that students and schools feel they have been let down by the VCAA,” he said.

“We’re confident that this year’s exams will allow all students to be assessed fairly and equitably.”