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.

Significance relates to:
value of items to past, present and future generations, such as:
aesthetic
historical
scientific
social.
Sources of information may include:
Australian War Memorial
database of Collections Australia Network (CAN) collections
Heritage Collections Council, Commonwealth of Australia
historical societies
Museums Australia
National Archives of Australia
national, state and local government public records
online collections database of National Museum of Australia
online databases
organisational policies and procedures
Picture Australia
Powerhouse Museum.
Purpose may relate to:
arranging insurance
collection management policy
deaccessioning objects from collections
guiding collection strategies
guiding and supporting acquisition decisions
guiding conservation policies and treatment
supporting funding applications
taking stock of collections.
Available details may relate to:
acquisition date
catalogue forms
condition reports
copies of receipts of purchase
copies of reference material
donor details and correspondence
images
notes made when objects were acquired
notes on related objects in collections
published references.
History and provenance may include:
date of manufacture
date of purchase
general history
notes about owners or places where objects were used
photos of objects in use.
Relevant personnel may include:
associations or trades
donors
ethnic communities
owners
special interest community associations
technical specialists
users.
Context may relate to:
how objects relate to the history and geography of the area
relationship to other objects
localities where objects were used.
Fabric may relate to:
condition
how object works
details of its manufacture
patterns of wear
repairs and adaptation
what object is made of.
Primary criteria may relate to:
aesthetic considerations, such as:
balance
colour
design or technical excellence
form
harmony and beauty
originality or innovation in design or execution
skill in quality of workmanship or execution
historical considerations, such as association with:
event or activity
person
place
process
theme
scientific or research significance, such as:
collection history
documented context
social or spiritual significance, such as:
association with communities
public display.
Comparative criteria may relate to:
condition, intactness or integrity, such as:
alterations
disturbed or altered components or composition
evidence of use
missing components
original or copy
repairs
still working
unrestored
unusually good condition for its type
contribution to collections and museums
interpretive potential of objects
provenance, including:
place of origin
where and how objects were used
who owned, used or made objects
rarity, including:
distinguishing qualities
uniqueness
unusualness
representativeness, including:
good example of its type
typical or characteristic of material, style or design.
Statements of significance may provide:
brief, considered assessment of the values, meaning and importance of objects
benchmarks for future use
collection of knowledge and ideas about objects
communication of values for interpretive programs
images of collections being assessed and other comparative collections
record of the crucial provenance details and association of objects
summary of the meaning and importance of objects
summary of the process of investigation and assessment.
Records may include:
catalogues
objects
online records.
Reassess may relate to:
changes in organisational strategy
changes in collection policy
new information.

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
Evidence of the ability to:
research the history, provenance and comparative examples of objects
assess the significance of a range of objects using the appropriate methodology.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
information sources
objects to assess
organisational policies and procedures related to significance assessments.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance
evaluation of statements of significance about objects
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of significance assessment methodologies
responses to case studies.
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:
CULPRE401A Implement preventive conservation activities.