Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Cultural significance may include:
aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations
significance embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects
Stakeholders may include
Aboriginal Land Councils
Indigenous Ranger groups
Traditional Owners and Cultural managers
Aboriginal communities and Clans
museums
Culture and Heritage government departments and representatives
National Parks personnel
sites workers
archaeologists
anthropologists
Aboriginal cultural protocols may include:
gender roles in relation to knowledge and cultural practices
information sensitivity and access
appropriate information transfer
negotiations with local Aboriginal Community about information transfer
cultural diversity
natural resources and their importance for economy, religion, spirituality, art, environment, values, beliefs and lore/law.
rights and responsibilities associated with cultural knowledge, story, song, Site, and ceremony
interpersonal ways of relating
the talking of Community politics
repatriation of artefacts
issues of ownership (clans/nations)
ownership of intellectual property
acknowledging participation and ownership
communicating about cultural material
displaying cultural material
handling cultural material
identifying appropriate people to be consulted
occasions when consultation is required
ways in which consultations should be conducted
Burra Charter process includes:
the cultural significance of a place and other issues affecting its future are best understood by a sequence of collecting and analysing information before making decisions. Understanding cultural significance comes first, then development of policy and finally management of the place in accordance with the policy
the policy for managing a place must be based on an understanding of its cultural significance
policy development should also include consideration of other factors affecting the future of a place such as the owner’s needs, resources, external constraints and its physical condition
Existing industry guidelines may include:
the Draft Guidelines for the Protection, Management and Use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Places
Aboriginal beliefs may refer to
connection to Country
creation events
structure of Community such as lore/law men and women, elders and custodians
practicality and purpose
appropriate behaviour, protocols and restrictions
spiritual value of knowledge and stories
communal ownership of some knowledge and material
intergenerational ownership of some knowledge and material
oral tradition of passing on knowledge and responsibilities
roles as custodians of specified knowledge, ceremony, designs, information
kinship and relationships
storytelling
Culturally significant places may include
areas of non-Aboriginal activity
Aboriginal-sites
landscapes
buildings and other structures
natural areas of Aboriginal cultural significance
historical events and monuments
areas of Aboriginal activity such as:
burial
occupation and contact sites
engravings
grinding grooves
rock pictures
fish traps
middens
mounds

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The delivery and assessment of this unit must comply with Community protocols and be carried out in consultation with and in participation with Traditional Owners and/or Elders and custodians of that specific Country.
In accordance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, cultural knowledge copyright considerations and Aboriginal lore/law restrictions, it is essential that this requirement be respected and implemented in the delivery and assessment of Cultural Units to guarantee cultural authenticity and quality control around the delivery of training and assessment for Aboriginal-sites workers.
Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to:
identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or for a Site
develop working relationships with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders in cultural sites
canvass views in determining the cultural significance and heritage value and preservation issues of an Aboriginal cultural site
plan for the protection of an Aboriginal cultural site including resources required and submissions to be completed
observe Aboriginal cultural protocols in dealing with stakeholders and land managers
identify threats and develop action and emergency plans to mitigate and manage the risk of damaging incidents or loss of cultural integrity
document the submissions to implement conservation and restoration activities and support the incident management activities
identify natural resources and how they relate to cultural protocol, spirituality, art, environment, values, beliefs and lore/law
identify cultural rights and responsibilities when using Community knowledge, information and material
identify groups to be consulted in relation to owners/custodians of cultural and Community knowledge, information and/or material
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment events must be contextualised to meet the needs of the particular group, including:
on Country, a Community, educational or workplace setting including Aboriginal cultural keeping places
involvement of people approved by cultural authorities and/or Traditional Owners of the relevant local Community
candidates who have gained relevant knowledge and skills through their life experience
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in protecting Aboriginal places of cultural significance. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of the candidate on Country and/or in Aboriginal cultural keeping places protecting cultural sites and/or cultural material and objects
direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
verbal or written questioning
observation of participation in Ceremony and/or Sites work related to the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols
AHCASW308A Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal sites and landscapes
AHCASW310A Move and store Aboriginal cultural material
Assessment for this unit should comprise a combination of theory and practical application. Both aspects of assessment are best conducted on Country for this unit.