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 authorities may include:
Cultural authority refers to the most appropriate senior person/s that is able to speak for particular Country, cultural objects, ceremony and/or materials in a specific place. A cultural authority could be a Traditional Owner, a Native Title Claimant, Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Body, Elder, Aboriginal Land Council, etc.
A ceremonial/cultural manager in terms of Aboriginal customary law means someone who does the work either under the direct supervision of the Aboriginal Owner or does the work that is authorised by the Owner. In a ceremony for example, the ceremonial manager(s) may provide the food and do the performance (work). Traditional roles and responsibilities swap over depending on a person’s status in any given situation - ie - whose land / estate one is on for business.
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
how consultations should be conducted
Techniques and toolsmay include:
traditional Aboriginal knowledge and processes
hand tools and power tools
excavation and construction equipment
surveying and sampling tools
recording and reporting technological equipment
location and geographic equipment
archaeological techniques and equipment measurements made under different conditions
Archaeological practices may include:
review of existing knowledge
survey
landscape context
Aboriginal land use
site definition
site recording
location information
geographic reporting
survey analysis
test excavation
artefact recording
attribute recording
archaeological reporting

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 conducted 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.
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to:
identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or for a cultural site
consult with appropriate cultural authorities and informed approval obtained for works and access of specific persons
assess the level of work required to maintain the cultural place
carry out maintenance activities in accordance with organisational, environmental sustainability and Aboriginal cultural requirements
report deterioration or damage to place
report incidents of breaches of legislation including vandalism
determine the cultural rights and responsibilities when using Community knowledge, information and material
identify of 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:
a Community, educational or workplace setting
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 and Aboriginal cultural experience
Possible resources for assessment may include:
Burra Charter and Draft Guidelines for the Protection, Management and Use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Places
enterprise and organisational procedures and policies
jurisdictional culture and heritage legislation
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in maintaining an Aboriginal cultural site. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of the candidate relating to and engaging Aboriginal persons and Aboriginal Community on Country
direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
verbal or written questioning
observation of participation in Aboriginal Sites maintenance 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
AHCASW312A Apply relevant legislation in Aboriginal sites work
AHCASW301A Protect places of Aboriginal cultural significance
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.