Australian Standard Typing Test and Certificate - AS2708-2001 - Police Job Application

LRodriguez73 on 08/02/2020 - 14:53

I've got to complete this Typing Test and pass with over 25WPM and 98.00% accuracy to join the NSW Police Force. Pretty frustrating because I'm currently in an administration job and can easily type 60+ WPM with little/no errors.

I was told that I could go into TAFE (physically) on a set day and get a certificate that way. I checked with them and turns out they would charge me a $100 just to take the test! Another option that was mentioned was to register with Challenging Consulting who offer the test for $75 but I need to do it over Skype on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. I work Tuesday-Thursday and I can't really be assed going to an actual TAFE on a weekend and spending a $100 to do the test.

I found this company called 'Australian Standard Typing Tests' which claim to offer an 'accredited' test for $50 which is much cheaper and I can do it in my own time according to their website: https://australianstandardtypingtests.com. I checked to see if any other Typing Tests would be applicable and I could find some pretty good ones for about $10 but I don't think they meet the Australian Standard required for the NSW Police application. So it seems like this 'Australian Place' is the cheapest option

On the NSW Police website it says "You must ensure that the organisation you choose meets the Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy standard ( Australian Standard AS2708-2001 )". On the Australian Standard Website it says that the test they offer meet Australian Standard AS2708-2001. Has anyone here used Australian Standard? Do you know if it's legitimate? It seems like they are based on what they claim on their website but I'm not sure.

Also does anyone know if I sign up for one of these tests whether I can claim tax-deduction on it for my job?

Thanks.

Education & Work

Comments

  • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 08/02/2020 - 14:56

    They don’t have a .com.au domain so I’m skeptical.

  • oscargamer on 08/02/2020 - 15:01
    +5

    When you asked NSW Police about this, what did they say?

  • Rodriguez73 on 08/02/2020 - 15:13

    I called them up and the lady I got through too told me that she didn't know. She even asked her manager who also said she wasn't sure and to double check the website. The website she was referring to is the 'Mandatory Certificates' page on the recruitment section on the NSW police website, link: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment/application_proces…

    On the website it says that:
    "You are required to obtain a Keyboard Skills certificate with a pass mark of 25 wpm and 98% accuracy. You can obtain the required certificate from any TAFE college, a recruitment/employment/agency or Business College. To find a provider which suits your circumstances, please conduct a search on the internet. You must ensure that the organisation you choose meets the BSBITU307 Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy (Release 2) standard (Australian Standard AS2708-2001 has been replaced with BSBITU307). The previous standard will still be accepted by the recruitment branch until further notice."

    On the Australian Standard Typing Test website it says:
    Test your keyboarding speed and accuracy by undertaking a fully automated online typing test designed to monitor every keystroke for a set duration and accurately mark and score the test. Our online typing tests are fully accredited and meet the Australian Standard (AS2708-2001) required for keyboarding speed tests. The certificate issued with this test is suitable as evidence of typing speed and accuracy for applications to the New South Wales and Queensland Police Force as well as other government agencies such as 000 Emergency Call Operators (Granted that you pass the test with >25 WPM and >98% Typing Test Accuracy).

    The NSW police website says as long as it meets the standard and Australian Standard Typing Tests (AS2708-2001) it's okay and considering that it does meet those standards it would totally be acceptable right? I can't see any reason why the NSW coppers wouldn't accept this.

    • oscargamer on 08/02/2020 - 15:27
      +12

      If you believe risking a $25 or $50 saving is worth it, then go for it.

      Personally, I'd just make sure I got the right Cert first time………

      YMMV

  • MrHyde on 08/02/2020 - 16:08
    +2

    Contact the Australian Standards Test place and ask for evidence of their accreditation

  • brendanm on 08/02/2020 - 16:12
    +9

    $100 for 100% legit and will do what I need.
    $50 for a place that could simply take my money, or is not actually accredited.

    It's a difficult one /s

  • Emerald Owl on 08/02/2020 - 16:49
    +2

    In the time you spent ringing the police and writing this, couldn’t you have driven to a tafe?

    Any Pre employment expenses are not deductible. So before you try, you can’t claim the medical examinations either.

  • klendestined on 08/02/2020 - 18:58

    Too long, don't care:
    Alrighty… their information specifically says they are testing to the Aus standard. I would say just do it, no-one expects you to know the stuff below.

    More in depth:
    They are asking for you to be deemed competent to a specific competency:
    https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/BSBITU307

    Technically, only the RTOs (~registered training organisation) listed in the link below are able to give you a certificate valid in Australia as they have to prove that they can satisfy those learning / assessment criteria:

    https://training.gov.au/Search/SearchOrganisation?nrtCodeTit…

    You could ask them for their RTO name to check that they are a registered RTO. Personally I don't think the person in charge of hiring you is even going to check if they are registered or not (I wouldn't bother). I'd just do it, especially if it saves both time and money.

    If you want to be thorough though; ask them for their RTO name and check whether they are registered to train/certify you in this qualification.

    Good luck

  • Pustom on 08/02/2020 - 19:39
    -1

    Losing $100 just for an application with no guarantee of success and a certificate which will be completely useless anywhere else? No thanks. But if you're really confident about your application just bite the bullet.

  • bargain huntress on 08/02/2020 - 21:03

    think about all the extra money and time you'll lose/waste if the non-tafe ones are not acceptable

  • crashloaded on 09/02/2020 - 10:19

    Pm me I can do a certificate for $45.

  • Rodriguez73 on 28/04/2020 - 15:31
    +1

    Checked my account today and realised I never updated this post. I weighted up everyone's advice and ended up registering with ASTT and it was legit, got my access sent to me within two hours and had 3 attempts at their main test, which I only used two of. I passed with a score I thought was suitable and submitted my application which was successful! It was quick and easy to get the whole thing done, would recommend anyone looking to join the force to use ASTT.
    Thanks again for all the advice.

  • Ragnarok1983 on 07/06/2020 - 11:31

    25WPM and you need a certificate for that trash?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join