Apply knowledge and requirements of mail house operations

Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:19 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Unit of competency

National Code
ICPKNW318

State Code
AUO60

TGA Status
Replaced

DTWD Status
Replaced

Current Release Number
1.00

Current Release Date
26/03/2015

View on TGA

State Implementation and Classification

Approved Date

16/09/2015

Field of Education

089901 - Purchasing, Warehousing And Distribution

Original Release Date

16/09/2015

Nominal Hours

Description

This unit describes the, skills and knowledge required to work in or deal with a mail house, including a detailed knowledge of specific mailing, labelling and dispatching areas. It applies to individuals working in or dealing with a mail house and who can work as part of a team. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Notes

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Apply knowledge of printing industry

1.1 Printing industry terminology and vocabulary are used correctly
1.2 New technology and new work processes are monitored and implemented when required
1.3 Trends within printing industry are monitored, on an ongoing basis, to inform personal work practices
1.4 Job requirements and alterations are discussed with and applied by tradespersons, supervisors, production managers and clients

2. Apply knowledge of government Acts, regulations and codes of practice

2.1 Basic principles and obligations involved in copyright, work health and safety (WHS), environmental protection, access and equity, and industrial awards are applied
2.2 Codes of practice and responsibilities regarding both paper and electronic-based products and services, and direct marketing, are applied in personal work practices
2.3 Legislative requirements regarding storage of data, addressing, ownership of lists, intellectual copyright, privacy and confidentiality of information are applied in personal work practices
2.4 Mail house responsibilities in regard to public, clients, suppliers and employees are adhered to in personal work practices

3. Apply knowledge of postal standards and requirements

3.1 Limitations on size, weight and content of postal items are applied in processing mail and/or parcels
3.2 Australia Post, Post Standards and Letter Pre-Sorting Standards are used to inform workflow processes
3.3 Packaging requirements for a range of products are adhered to

4. Identify enterprise processes and procedures

4.1 Importance of digital printing systems including inkjet, laser and offset technologies in mail house centre are investigated
4.2 Digital data customisation is used to inform quality checks
4.3 Advantages and applications of digital printing within mail house are analysed
4.4 In-line processes associated with digital printing systems are identified and used to inform work processes
4.5 Process and applications of bar coding as applied to mail house operations and services are identified

5. Apply knowledge of computerised systems and associated software as used in mail house sector

5.1 Variety of computer driven equipment typical in mail house operations is used where appropriate
5.2 Computer driven bar code, sorting, tagging and reading systems are applied in workplace where appropriate
5.3 Data management and processing systems and software are used where appropriate
5.4 Computerised document management, design and reading systems and software are used where appropriate
5.5 Computerised market research and listing services and associated software are used where appropriate
5.6 Recent developments in electronic mailing and new applications of this technology are investigated

6. Apply knowledge of pre-press, printing, converting and finishing sectors and processes

6.1 Principles and functions of image production (typesetting, scanning, camera), image combining (manual and electronic), image output (film, plates, direct to press) and digital workflow are used to inform production processes where appropriate
6.2 Pre-press functions including image classification (type, line, tone), output settings (screen rulings, angles) and output devices (film setter, plate maker, proofer) are identified and used to inform production processes where appropriate
6.3 Conventional printing processes are used to inform production processes where appropriate
6.4 Most suitable printing process for variety of jobs and products, taking into account cost, quality and end user requirements, is identified and used to inform decisions about printing processes where appropriate
6.5 Capabilities and limitations of each printing process are investigated and used to inform decisions about printing processes where appropriate
6.6 Basic principles and characteristics of a variety of converting and finishing operations (guillotining, collating, folding, inserting, fastening) are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate
6.7 Terminology suited to those working in mail house, printing and related industries is applied in workplace

7. Apply knowledge of substrates, inks, toners and coatings

7.1 Substrates used for each printing process and properties that make them suitable are identified and used to inform production processes where appropriate
7.2 International paper sizes (IPS) system, its basis and relationship of different paper sizes are used to inform production processes where appropriate
7.3 Different weights, callipers and finishes of substrates and how they affect mailing and converting and finishing operations are identified and used to inform production processes where appropriate
7.4 Paper grain and how it affects pre-press, printing, finishing and mailing operations are investigated and used to inform production processes where appropriate
7.5 Ink characteristics (drying properties, fastness, gloss, opacity, tack, scuff resistance) and their effect on printing, finishing and end user requirements are investigated and used to inform production processes where appropriate
7.6 Desirable qualities for inks, toners and coatings to ensure suitability for substrate, finishing operations and end user requirements are investigated and used to inform production processes where appropriate

8. Apply knowledge of costs of production

8.1 Main cost elements (fixed, capital, variable) in converting and finishing production are applied in workplace
8.2 Information required to accurately cost jobs and means of collecting it (manual and computerised) are investigated and applied in workplace
8.3 Ways of minimising use of materials without affecting quality of output are researched and applied in workplace
8.4 Ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources are researched and applied in workplace

9. Apply knowledge of production management requirements and systems

9.1 Types of information that need to be exchanged between different stages of production to facilitate production efficiency are investigated and applied in workplace
9.2 Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are investigated and applied in workplace
9.3 Basic principles of efficient production management are applied in workplace

No information

Replaces

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
D3093	ICPKN318C	Apply knowledge and requirements of mail house operations	Unit of competency

Replaced By

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
AWG43	ICPKNW322	Develop knowledge of the printing and graphic arts industry	Unit of competency

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
AWA7	ICP40115	Certificate IV in Printing and Graphic Arts	Qualification
AWF4	ICP40515	Certificate IV in Printing and Graphic Arts (Mail House)	Qualification