Assessor Resource

AHCASW303A
Identify and record Aboriginal-sites, objects and cultural landscapes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to working on Country and the identification and recording of Aboriginal-sites, objects and cultural landscapes on Country. The unit applies to working with lore/law men and women either as an autonomous Sites worker or under the supervision and cultural authority of Traditional Owner/s and/or Elder/s for specific Country and is also applicable to the work of repatriation workers and anthropologists. This unit applies to all Aboriginal-sites workers. Cultural beliefs and practices vary across locations and communities however and in some situations non-Aboriginal learners may not be able to access the cultural knowledge and/or materials required to achieve competency in this unit. This applies when restrictions are applied to non-Aboriginal people gaining access to cultural knowledge, material or sites. In these situations the Registered Training Organisation will have to make alternative arrangements for learners that are still consistent with the delivery and assessment requirements for this unit.

This unit covers the process of recording information and knowledge on Country from both an Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perspective.

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

Prerequisites

AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols


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 delivery and assessment of this unit must comply with Community protocols and be carried out 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 on Country and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to:

record details of Aboriginal-sites, objects and cultural landscapes consistent with the requirements of the relevant IMS

record and collate information on Aboriginal culture and history for Country whilst following Aboriginal cultural protocols

use information on sites, objects and cultural landscapes according to Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols

identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, Site and/or story and/or ceremony

identify cultural information, material and cultural expression appropriate to be shared

determine how natural resources relate to cultural protocol, spirituality, art, environment, values, beliefs and lore/law

understand the cultural rights and responsibilities when using Community knowledge, information and material

identify 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 on Country

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 experience

Access restrictions to IMS and confidentiality measures for recording secret, sacred materials

Use of the jurisdictional IMS and/or handheld PDA devices may be included as assessment resources

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in recognising and recording Aboriginal-sites, objects and cultural landscapes. The primary method of assessment for this unit should include participation on Country by candidates in simulated or actual work practices relevant to Sites work.

The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of the candidate on Country identifying sites, objects and describing cultural landscapes

direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

verbal or written questioning

observation of participation in Ceremony and/or Sites work 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:

AHCASW305A Work with Aboriginal ceremonial secret sacred materials

AHCASW308A Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal-sites and landscapes

AHCASW310A Move and store Aboriginal cultural material

AHCASW301A Protect places of Aboriginal cultural significance

AHCASW311A Apply relevant legislation in Aboriginal-sites work

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.


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 include:

Ability to:

collect site, feature and cultural landscape information and data

identify, describe and document site, feature and cultural landscape information

perform Information Management System (IMS) operations

operate according to Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from Traditional Owners/s, Elders, Supervisor, etc.

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

exercise discretion and confidentiality

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

Aboriginal history, cultural values and interpersonal and Community protocols

authentic and authoritative sources for Aboriginal cultural information, material and expression able to be accessed and shared

designated cultural areas and features, boundaries and extent of Country

local Aboriginal names for plants, animals and landscape features

basic ecological concepts

Cultural and Heritage Legislation or relevant NPWS legislation

protocols and customs relating to disclosure of knowledge about Country

sustainable environmental practices

legislative and enterprise requirements relative to workplace health and safety and the environment

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 – i.e.– 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

ways in which consultations should be conducted

Aboriginal materials and objects may include:

physical objects such as stone tools, Aboriginal-built fences and stockyards, scarred trees, the remains of fringe camps

material deposited on the land, such as middens

the ancestral remains of Aboriginal people

stones and stone tools

art and artworks

shells

non-human bones and organic materials

cultural landscapes may include:

places and areas made up of living stories that have connections to the past and can include natural resources, objects, customs and traditions (and their contexts)

places of land, sea and air where cultural and natural elements are considered together

Aboriginal-sites may include:

shelters with deposits

open camp site

midden

shelter with midden

shelter with art

isolated find

undefined sites

axe grinding grooves

bora/ceremonial ring

burial site

rock engraving

scarred tree

carved tree

natural mythological site

restricted site

quarry

ochre quarry

fish trap

stone arrangement

mound (oven)

mia mia

waterhole (well)

contact/mission

abraded grooves

Aboriginal Place (declared under NPW Act)

Aboriginal Area (declared under NPW Act)

protected archaeological site

conservation agreement

massacre

reserve

Information Management System (IMS) may include:

Region or State based sites information management systems

Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS)

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register and Information System (ACHRIS)

Aboriginal Information Management System (AIMS)

Aboriginal Heritage Management System (AHMS)

Cultural Site Management System

Site context may include:

landform

landform unit

vegetation

land use

proximity to water

open

closed

Site information may include:

general information

datum

zone

date recorded

site context

Aboriginal features

site dimensions

site plan

story

ceremony

site Aboriginal Community interpretation

site Aboriginal Community recommendations

site assessment

cultural analysis

scientific analysis

management recommendations

endorsement by cultural authority

Site data may include:

location map

black and white or colour photographs

aerial photographs

slides or videos

Site plans

Site drawings

recording tables

presentations

Features data may include:

type

material

description

dimensions

context

condition

site name

environment

plan

importance

recommended action

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
Appropriate cultural authorities are identified and consulted 
Approval to be on Country and perform identification and recording work is obtained 
Boundaries and extent of Country are determined according to Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols 
Determine details of land management and maintenance practices 
Aboriginal materials and objects are identified accurately 
Aboriginal cultural landscapes and Aboriginal-sites are identified accurately 
The interrelationship of discrete Aboriginal-sites to cultural landscapes and Indigenous land management is determined 
The relevant government jurisdiction is determined 
The relevant Information Management System (IMS) in operation and the organisation responsible for maintaining the system are researched and determined 
Access restrictions to the IMS and confidentiality measures for recording secret, sacred materials are applied 
The IMS is accessed and relevant options are selected 
Transfer of site, feature and/or cultural landscape information is initiated and maintained over time 
Information and data collected about the Aboriginal site, feature or landscape is used according to Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols 
Practices which could damage the level of trust and respect between stakeholders, negotiating parties and the Community are acknowledged and avoided 
Site context, location and informationdata is categorised and recorded accurately 
Feature data is categorised and recorded accurately 
Aboriginal Community interpretations and recommendations are recorded 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCASW303A - Identify and record Aboriginal-sites, objects and cultural landscapes
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

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCASW303A - Identify and record Aboriginal-sites, objects and cultural landscapes

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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: