Performance level assessment (PLA) is a type of supplementary evidence system for competency-based assessment that is being pilot tested at five technical and further education (TAFE) institutes throughout Queensland, Australia. The PLA system uses the following three levels of performance: competency achieved; competency achieved with credit; and competency achieved with distinction. To earn ratings of competency achieved with credit and competency achieved with credit, students must meet six and seven specific criteria, respectively. During the pilot project, North Point Institute of TAFE (NPIT) and Cooloola Sunshine Institute of TAFE (CSIT) formed a research partnership to collectively improve their approach to implementation of PLA. Hospitality teachers in each institute met and developed objective criteria against a series of performance criteria. Additional meetings were held to translate the criteria to other assessment areas, design a template stating the agreed criteria, and discuss the following issues: (1) the fact that the objective criteria were open to subjective interpretation; (2) the use of performance indicators; and (3) the adequacy of the previously agreed assessment criteria. Through their partnership arrangement, teachers from NPIT and CSIT were able to conduct ongoing research and review aimed at improving the quality of Queensland's new PLA system. (MN)