Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:09 PM AWST

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Establish an aquacultural enterprise

Establish an aquacultural enterprise

Unit of competency
National Code
SFIAQUA503C
State Code
D9159
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/07/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/02/2012
Field of Education
080321 - Farm Management And Agribusiness
Original Release Date
27/02/2012
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency involves establishing an aquacultural or ornamental business or enterprise. An enterprise may be interpreted as a development initiative which will involve commitment of resources to support an activity that will have achievable outcomes. Competency involves the self-directed development of knowledge with substantial depth across a number of areas with a range of skills. Business planning and management competencies are usually used independently and are substantially non-routine. Significant judgement is required. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Define enterprise requirements
  • 1.1. Target market opportunity or business need is defined based on appropriate evidence, industry practice and reasoned argument or analysis.
  • 1.2. Selection of species, culture technology and size of operation are based on this analysis and included in business plan.
  • 1.3. Mechanisation or automation of process or activity, including the use of specialised contract services, is researched and introduced.
  • 1.4. Legal requirements impacting on a proposed enterprise are identified.
2. Choose a worksite
  • 2.1. Property market is scanned for purchase or leasing possibilities, and site is decided upon based on business plan.
  • 2.2. Contractual arrangements are entered into based on legal requirements and business plan.
3. Develop a worksite plan
  • 3.1. Features of the site are incorporated into worksite plan to allow most effective construction program.
  • 3.2. Construction plan, including budget and work schedule is drawn up in consultation with senior personnel taking into account appropriate considerations.
  • 3.3. Relevant building or development permits or approvals are obtained.
4. Coordinate construction
  • 4.1. Appropriate labour, materials and resources are organised and construction undertaken according to construction plan.
  • 4.2. Contractors, consultants and construction work are monitored against drawings and work plans, and negotiation undertaken, where necessary.
  • 4.3. Site is commissioned, ensuring all systems are operational and according to plans and permits or approvals.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
business or workplace operations, policies and practices:
commercial law, including fair trading and trade practices
consumer law
corporate law, including registration, licensing and financial reporting
disability policies and practices
equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment
industrial relations and awards, individual employment contracts and share of catch agreements
jurisdictional variations
superannuation
taxation
trade practices
warnings and dismissals
worker's compensation
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits, licences, quotas, catch restrictions and other compliance requirements, including:
Australian Exclusive Economic Zone
international treaties and agreements
food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody
imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)
Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
maritime and occupational diving operations:
foreign and Australian legislation applying to quarantine and customs
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978)
Marine Emergency Response Search and Rescue (MERSAR)
National Standards for Commercial Vessels
pollution prevention - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)
Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code
use of vessels, right of way and other marine orders, bunkering and refuelling
land, buildings and vehicles:
buildings and structures design and appearance, constructions and additions
poaching, trespass and theft
road laws for use of motor vehicles, bikes, trucks and other transport equipment
soil and water management
use of chemicals and biological agents
use of firearms and powerheads
use of utilities, including water, natural gas, electricity and sewage
water or land lease, tenure or ownership and use
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
product quality assurance:
correct naming and labelling (e.g. country of origin, Australian Fish Names Standard and eco-labelling)
correct quantities, sizes and other customer requirements
third-party certification (e.g. Australian Grown and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems).
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
clean, uncluttered, hygienic workplace
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.
Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures may include:
Australian Shellfish Sanitation program
display, packaging and sale of food, including seafood and aquatic products
equipment design, use, cleaning and maintenance
exporting requirements, including AQIS Export Control (Fish) orders
handling and disposal of condemned or recalled seafood products
HACCP, food safety program, and other risk minimisation and quality assurance systems
location, construction and servicing of seafood premises
people, product and place hygiene and sanitation requirements
Primary Products Standard and the Australian Seafood Standard (voluntary)
processing, further processing and preparation of food, including seafood and aquatic products
product labelling, tracing and recall
receipt, storage and transportation of food, including seafood and aquatic products
requirements set out in Australian and New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) Food Standards Code and state and territory food regulations
temperature and contamination control along chain of custody.
ESD principles may include:
controlling use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
managing imported products quarantine and inspection, facility biosecurity, translocation of livestock and genetic material, and health certification
managing stock health and welfare, especially for handling, holding, transport and slaughter
managing sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection requirements, such as size limits, quotas, season restrictions, population dynamics, fishing impacts, reducing by-catch, fisheries management strategies and maintaining biodiversity
managing, controlling and treating effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
planning environmental and resource efficiency improvements
preventing genetically modified and live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
reducing disturbances to soils, erosion and surface water flows from machinery use and other activities
reducing energy use and introducing alternative energy sources.
PPE may include:
buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
gloves, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering
hard hat or protective head covering
hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)
insulated protective clothing for freezers or chillers and refrigeration units
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
protective hair, beard and boot covers
protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
respirator or face mask
safety harness
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
uniforms, overalls or protective clothing (e.g. mesh and waterproof aprons)
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).
Worksite may include:
depots
growing or holding facilities
hatchery and nursery
office and administration
post-harvest or processing facilities
shop
storage areas
workshops.
Construction plan takes into account:
business planning
climatic conditions and changes
ESD and OHS requirements
marketing requirements
production amounts/scheduling
seasonal variations of production cycle
staff and contractor availability
strategic direction of business.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in t his unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
plan for the development of an aquaculture enterprise and implement the plan.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
business planning
culture technology
regulations impacting on an aquaculture enterprise
site selection
species selection.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. The enterprise may be a new business, or a new enterprise within an existing business.

Resources may include:
budget
business plan.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
project (work or scenario based)
work scenario or case study
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S4176 SFIAQUA503B Establish an aquacultural enterprise Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAS19 SFIAQU503 Establish an aquaculture facility Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W990 SFI50111 Diploma of Aquaculture Qualification