Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:13 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:13 PM 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.
Explore issues on air
Explore issues on air
Unit of competency
National Code
CUFAIR501A
CUFAIR501A
State Code
D1063
D1063
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
31/10/2008
Field of Education
100701 - Audio Visual Studies
Original Release Date
31/10/2008
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct in-depth interviews and discussion forums on radio or television.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Prepare for discussion forums
- 1. Prepare lines of questioning based on thorough analysis of research undertaken by production personnel
- 2. Where appropriate, discuss forum topics in advance with key participants to identify directions in which on-air discussion might go
- 3. If necessary, undertake further research to cover additional angles revealed in preliminary discussions with key participants
- 4. Ensure that participants are briefed about laws and regulations that may have an impact on what they say on air
- 5. In consultation with production personnel, identify where key participants will be seated in discussion forums that involve audience participation
- 6. Rehearse or role-play discussions with production personnel to identify gaps in preparation and refine proposed line of questioning accordingly
Conduct discussion forums
- 7. If appropriate, do a warm-up session to prepare an audience prior to the start of a discussion forum
- 8. Introduce topic and follow a line of questioning that allows differing opinions to be aired in a way that stimulates constructive debate among participants
- 9. Chair the discussion in the planned direction, but at the same time, ask questions that allow participants freedom to express their views
- 10. Identify additional lines of questioning by listening carefully to participants' comments and follow-through with questions that demonstrate thorough understanding of the topic under discussion
- 11. Resolve conflicts that arise between participants in a way that moves the discussion forward while acknowledging the validity of differing viewpoints and paying due respect to the public profile of individual participants
- 12. Adopt an interview style that elicits the best possible response from participants
- 13. Respond to cues from production personnel without disrupting the flow of discussion
- 14. Link audio and visual material as required
- 15. Wrap up discussions by summarising key points succinctly and clearly, and thanking participants for their contribution
Evaluate discussion forums
- 16. Participate in debriefing sessions with production personnel to identify strengths and weaknesses of discussion forums
- 17. Document the outcome of debriefing sessions according to enterprise procedures
- 18. Reflect on own performance and note areas for improvement
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.
Production personnel may include:
associate producers
content specialists
floor managers
legal advisers
producers
reporters
researchers
technical crew.
Laws and regulations may include:
contempt of court and parliament
copyright
defamation
obscenity
privacy legislation
racial vilification.
Types of questions may include:
basic, e.g. what, who, where, why, how
clarifying
closed
hypothetical
leading
open-ended.
Interview styles may include:
comic
conversational/casual
dramatic
objective
probing/challenging
psychological
serious
supportive.
Cues from production personnel may include:
instructions/advice received through an earpiece
non-verbal signals
screen-based.
Audio and visual material may include:
animated sequences
audio recordings
music
still images
video clips.
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.
Production personnel may include:
associate producers
content specialists
floor managers
legal advisers
producers
reporters
researchers
technical crew.
Laws and regulations may include:
contempt of court and parliament
copyright
defamation
obscenity
privacy legislation
racial vilification.
Types of questions may include:
basic, e.g. what, who, where, why, how
clarifying
closed
hypothetical
leading
open-ended.
Interview styles may include:
comic
conversational/casual
dramatic
objective
probing/challenging
psychological
serious
supportive.
Cues from production personnel may include:
instructions/advice received through an earpiece
non-verbal signals
screen-based.
Audio and visual material may include:
animated sequences
audio recordings
music
still images
video clips.
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
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to analyse and use research material effectively in the context of preparing for interviews and discussion forums
ability to communicate effectively on air
understanding of the consequences of breaching laws and regulations that apply to broadcasting
ability to listen critically to what interviewees say and to conduct unplanned lines of questioning
ability to integrate a number of different tasks simultaneously
discussions recorded over a period of time that demonstrate an ability to moderate forums that involve a number of participants discussing a range of topics
collaborative approach to work.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to media production facilities to record discussion forums
access to video or audio playback equipment to enable evaluation of recordings of forums moderated by the candidate
access to current information about, and personnel able to advise on, laws and regulations that apply to broadcasting
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
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 on-the-job performance
evaluation of recordings of on-air forums moderated by the candidate to assess candidate's ability to facilitate a wide-ranging, yet focused discussion of topics
observation of the candidate moderating an on-air forum
written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit and to discuss candidate's approach to preparing for interviews and discussion forums.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBCRT501A Originate and develop concepts
CUFPPM401A Produce programs and program segments.
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 following is essential:
ability to analyse and use research material effectively in the context of preparing for interviews and discussion forums
ability to communicate effectively on air
understanding of the consequences of breaching laws and regulations that apply to broadcasting
ability to listen critically to what interviewees say and to conduct unplanned lines of questioning
ability to integrate a number of different tasks simultaneously
discussions recorded over a period of time that demonstrate an ability to moderate forums that involve a number of participants discussing a range of topics
collaborative approach to work.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to media production facilities to record discussion forums
access to video or audio playback equipment to enable evaluation of recordings of forums moderated by the candidate
access to current information about, and personnel able to advise on, laws and regulations that apply to broadcasting
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
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 on-the-job performance
evaluation of recordings of on-air forums moderated by the candidate to assess candidate's ability to facilitate a wide-ranging, yet focused discussion of topics
observation of the candidate moderating an on-air forum
written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit and to discuss candidate's approach to preparing for interviews and discussion forums.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBCRT501A Originate and develop concepts
CUFPPM401A Produce programs and program segments.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWK05 | CUAAIR501 | Explore issues on air | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D201 | CUF50107 | Diploma of Screen and Media | Qualification |