Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What type of information may be researched?
Research may involve registered or licensed breeders, hobbyists, specialist breeders, wholesalers, trends and seasonal purchasing, demographics, cost and availability.

What are some of the legislative requirements that may be relevant?
Legislative requirements and codes of practice may include the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice, companion animal legislation, local council regulations, microchipping, animal welfare legislation and wildlife regulations.

What health and condition status considerations might there be?
Health and condition status checks may include size, age, weight, visual checks on condition, vaccination records, presence of endoparasites or exoparasites and animal health guarantees.

Which records and documents might need to be obtained?
Records and documents might include breeder certificates, wildlife licences and microchipping and vaccination records.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

identify market trends and seasonal availability
determine best price for livestock
source and evaluate suppliers
perform health and condition checks
identify, supply and comply with relevant housing, transport and quarantine requirements
comply with relevant legislative requirements
maintain accurate records
communicate effectively with suppliers and clients.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

animal welfare requirements
quarantine, transport and housing requirements
animal behaviour
companion animal livestock sources
relevant legislative requirements.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

ability to carry out health checks for the organisation's range of companion animal species
negotiation skills
ability to safely and correctly prepare and secure animals for transport
ability to maintain accurate records
literacy skills to read, select and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and infection control procedures; and record details and information accurately and legibly
interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening and asking for clarification
numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes
problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
a range of companion animal species and breeds
housing and transport for companion animals
livestock suppliers
relevant legislation.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By negotiating with suppliers and breeders. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By researching customer demand and purchase opportunities. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By attending companion animal livestock sales and arranging documentation and transport. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By facilitating purchases and transportation. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By calculating livestock prices and overall costs. (3)

Solving problems
By finding solutions to problems relating to budgeting, purchasing, inspection and transport. (3)

Using technology
By using equipment to calculate and record data relating to purchases and costs. (3)