Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Behavioural and physical requirements may include:
behavioural requirements:
environments that replicate normal feeding behaviour
environments that provide appropriate stimulation for the animals
normal activity patterns:
crepuscular
diurnal
nocturnal
physical requirements:
appropriate space/features based on whether animal is arboreal, terrestrial or aquatic
appropriate substrate
temperature and humidity regimes.
Animal enclosures may include:
aquaria
aviaries
cages
habitat boxes
paddocks
walk through or closed off enclosures.
Enclosure furniture requirements may include:
shading, shelters, walkways/paths and behavioural enrichment features:
branches, logs, rocks and vines
landscaping
vegetation
water features.
Considerations when assessing the impact of furniture should include:
furniture hardiness, attractiveness and compatibility
keeper/carer access
the obstruction of animal movement or view
the safety of new materials (e.g. toxicity or splintering)
wear and tear.
Species-specific requirements may consider:
housing options:
caged
fully enclosed
indoor
moated
naturalistic
outdoor
social options:
solitary
pairs
single sexed groups
polyandrous/polygamous groups
mixed species.
Enclosure security may involve:
checking for pests within animal housing or enclosures
checking there are no unauthorised people in animal enclosures
checking that locks and slides are in good working order
considering compatibility of species and breeds within housing
ensuring animals are safe and secure in their housing
identifying any animal housing faults that may result in escape
maintaining structures in good order.
OHS risks when handling animals may include:
animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries if working in with the animal or animal has potential to reach keeper through barriers
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
electrical when using water in close vicinity of electrical outlets
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
moving parts of machinery or equipment
noise, including machinery and some animals
release of infective agents (animal and human)
repetitive strain injury (e.g. raking and scrubbing)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Maintenance attention may be classified by:
major urgent repairs:
broken windows
faulty locks/slides
landscaping concerns
repairs to holes in wire, roof or doors
minor repairs:
repairing signs or taps
replacing plants.
Cleaning regime may include:
behavioural needs of animals and their impact on the cleaning routine
chemicals that cannot be used with certain animals
equipment and cleaning agents to be used
importance of odour for some species
safety of self and animals
sequence of cleaning events
time to perform the cleaning tasks.
Pests may include:
cockroaches, spiders, ants and flying insects
predators and parasites
rats and mice.
Tools and equipment may include:
blowers
cleaning agents
mowers
pressure cleaners
rakes and spades
secateurs
wheelbarrows
whipper snippers.

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
identify animal housing requirements in consultation with others and prepare enclosure for occupation
maintain animal housing, including security, hygiene, pest control and appearance
update enclosure and exhibit maintenance records.

The skills and knowledge required to prepare and maintain animal housing must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace with access to a range of animal housing and temporary housing as well as the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).