Assessor Resource

ACMCAS405A
Purchase companion animal livestock

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit is applicable to those working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to purchase a range of companion animal livestock for companion animal organisations, such as pet shops, or to fulfil specific client orders.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This unit of competency covers the process of purchasing companion animal livestock for companion animal organisations and/or on behalf of clients.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 competency 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 market trends and seasonal availability of livestock

source and evaluate suppliers and determine best price for livestock

perform health and condition checks on potential purchases

identify, supply and comply with relevant housing, transport and quarantine requirements

comply with relevant legislative requirements

communicate effectively with suppliers and clients

maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to purchase companion animal livestockmust 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 companion animal workplace that provides purchasing services or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces may include pet shops and aquariums.

There must be access in either situation to a range of companion animal breeds and species and the relevant information, materials and documentation.

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, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategies 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).

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

check on health status and condition of livestock for range of companion animal species

comply with animal housing, transport and quarantine requirements

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling and working with animals

identify common indicators of the presence of disease, injury, compromised health or distress in animals

maintain records and workplace documents

negotiate the purchase of livestock

safely and securely prepare animals for transport

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS, animal welfare and infection control procedures, follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language 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

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to assess appropriate strategies and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to livestock assessment requirements

common diseases, ailments, injuries and other impacts on animal health and wellbeing

housing and transportation requirements for a range of companion animal species and breeds

normal and abnormal behaviour patterns and traits of a range of species

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant legislative and regulatory compliance requirements, including the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice, companion animal legislation, local council regulations, microchipping, animal welfare legislation and wildlife regulations

relevant organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures and animal welfare requirements

safe animal handling techniques

safe work practices.

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.

Research may include:

animal soundness or temperament issues

breed and training associations

cost and availability

demographics

registered or licensed breeders, hobbyists, specialist breeders or wholesalers

retail associations

trends and seasonal purchasing.

Legislative requirements may include:

animal health and notifiable disease regulations

animal welfare legislation and regulations

companion animal legislation

local council regulations

microchipping

owner or breeder licence regulations

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice

veterinary regulations

wildlife regulations.

Health and condition status considerations may include:

animal health guarantees

identification requirements

presence of parasites

size, age and weight

vaccination records

visual checks on condition.

Records and documents may include:

breeder certificates

microchipping and vaccination records

veterinary certificates of soundness

wildlife licences.

Special transport needs may include:

animal transport considerations:

animals' metabolic and other health features

challenges involved in loading animal into transport

distance to destination

risk of injury to animal within transport container

size, age, health status and number of animals to be transported

compliance with relevant legislation or regulations

food and water requirements

transport housing requirements:

bags, cages, pouches and padded containers

containers suitable for holding water

climate controlled containers

trailers or other stock vehicle

transfer or crush equipment

transportation standards for specific species.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Trends in purchase patterns for companion animals are researched and evaluated. 
Agents and sellers of companion animal livestock are researched and reviewed to determine appropriate sources. 
Sales histories for companion animal livestock species or breeds are monitored and evaluated. 
Relevant legislative requirements are assessed in relation to species and breeds. 
Appropriate purchases from reliable sources are identified and pre-purchase investigations initiated. 
Health and condition status of livestock are checked using accepted industry standard methods. 
Records and documents related to livestock histories are obtained and verified. 
Government agencies, industry bodies and veterinarians are consulted as required. 
Livestock purchase arrangements are initiated for suitable stock. 
Licensing requirements for non-exempt native species are met if required. 
Special transportation needs of livestock are identified and utilised. 
Purchase details of livestock are completed in accordance with legislative, industry and organisational requirements. 
Organisation purchasing records are completed. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMCAS405A - Purchase companion animal livestock
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

Signature:

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Assessment Record Sheet

ACMCAS405A - Purchase companion animal livestock

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: