Assessor Resource

AHCASW308
Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal sites and landscapes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to determine theoretical and practical concepts of cultural significance in relation to Aboriginal cultural sites and landscapes. It uses the Burra Charter as the industry benchmark in assessing significance for culture and heritage work.

This unit applies to those who are working on Country finding Aboriginal sites and working to assess significance in 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 Owners and Elders for specific Country. This unit is also applicable to the work of repatriation workers and anthropologists.

This unit applies to all Aboriginal-sites workers. However, cultural beliefs and practices vary across locations and communities and in some situations non-Aboriginal learners may not be able to access the cultural knowledge or materials required to achieve competency in this unit due to restrictions that are applied to non-Aboriginal people gaining access to cultural knowledge, material or sites. In these situations the Registered Training Organisation will be required to make alternative arrangements for learners that are still consistent with the delivery and assessment requirements for this unit.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to 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)



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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine cultural significance

1.1 Ensure cultural knowledge holders inform the decision-making process to determine the cultural significance of Aboriginal sites and places

1.2 Acknowledge the determination of Aboriginal people as the primary source, and owners of information about the cultural significance of an Aboriginal site and landscape

1.3 Seek permission from cultural Authority to collect and share cultural knowledge

1.4 Acknowledge and respect traditional knowledge and practices in managing Country and environment

1.5 Determine Aboriginal history and beliefs embedded in a place of cultural significance

1.6 Recognise the embodiment of cultural significance in the place itself, the geographical and geological features, its fabric, artefacts and stone objects, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects

2. Conduct a significance assessment on an Aboriginal site

2.1 Determine the difference between an assessment of cultural significance and a statement of cultural significance

2.2 Consult with colleagues and experts to identify factors that may impact on the assessment and incorporate them into planning work

2.3 Collect information relevant to the assessment of cultural significance in collaboration with relevant experts

2.4 Assess the cultural significance of the site in accordance with the Burra Charter guidelines and legislative requirements

2.5 Prepare a statement of cultural significance consistent with the assessment of cultural significance findings, in collaboration with relevant experts to Community and legislative requirements

2.6 Seek feedback from colleagues on statement of significance

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must demonstrate that they can:

determine theoretical and practical concepts of cultural significance in relation to Aboriginal cultural sites and landscapes

identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or for a site

collaborate with relevant experts to complete an assessment of cultural significance

adhere to Burra Charter process and guidelines

identify cultural information, material and expression appropriate to be shared

identify groups and individuals to be consulted in relation to owners or custodians of cultural and Community knowledge, information and material

recognise factors that may impact on the assessment, including artefacts and stone objects on site and geological and geographical features of the landscape.

The candidate must demonstrate 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

the role and prominence of the Burra Charter in the culture and heritage sector in Australia

the Burra Charter definition of significance

geographic and geological identification features of the cultural landscape

artefacts and stone objects identification

key concepts of Cultural and Heritage Legislation or National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) legislation relevant to own role.

Assessment must comply with Community protocols and be supported by Elders and Custodians of Country.

Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.


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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine cultural significance

1.1 Ensure cultural knowledge holders inform the decision-making process to determine the cultural significance of Aboriginal sites and places

1.2 Acknowledge the determination of Aboriginal people as the primary source, and owners of information about the cultural significance of an Aboriginal site and landscape

1.3 Seek permission from cultural Authority to collect and share cultural knowledge

1.4 Acknowledge and respect traditional knowledge and practices in managing Country and environment

1.5 Determine Aboriginal history and beliefs embedded in a place of cultural significance

1.6 Recognise the embodiment of cultural significance in the place itself, the geographical and geological features, its fabric, artefacts and stone objects, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects

2. Conduct a significance assessment on an Aboriginal site

2.1 Determine the difference between an assessment of cultural significance and a statement of cultural significance

2.2 Consult with colleagues and experts to identify factors that may impact on the assessment and incorporate them into planning work

2.3 Collect information relevant to the assessment of cultural significance in collaboration with relevant experts

2.4 Assess the cultural significance of the site in accordance with the Burra Charter guidelines and legislative requirements

2.5 Prepare a statement of cultural significance consistent with the assessment of cultural significance findings, in collaboration with relevant experts to Community and legislative requirements

2.6 Seek feedback from colleagues on statement of significance

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must demonstrate that they can:

determine theoretical and practical concepts of cultural significance in relation to Aboriginal cultural sites and landscapes

identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or for a site

collaborate with relevant experts to complete an assessment of cultural significance

adhere to Burra Charter process and guidelines

identify cultural information, material and expression appropriate to be shared

identify groups and individuals to be consulted in relation to owners or custodians of cultural and Community knowledge, information and material

recognise factors that may impact on the assessment, including artefacts and stone objects on site and geological and geographical features of the landscape.

The candidate must demonstrate 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

the role and prominence of the Burra Charter in the culture and heritage sector in Australia

the Burra Charter definition of significance

geographic and geological identification features of the cultural landscape

artefacts and stone objects identification

key concepts of Cultural and Heritage Legislation or National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) legislation relevant to own role.

Assessment must comply with Community protocols and be supported by Elders and Custodians of Country.

Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.

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
Ensure cultural knowledge holders inform the decision-making process to determine the cultural significance of Aboriginal sites and places 
Acknowledge the determination of Aboriginal people as the primary source, and owners of information about the cultural significance of an Aboriginal site and landscape 
Seek permission from cultural Authority to collect and share cultural knowledge 
Acknowledge and respect traditional knowledge and practices in managing Country and environment 
Determine Aboriginal history and beliefs embedded in a place of cultural significance 
Recognise the embodiment of cultural significance in the place itself, the geographical and geological features, its fabric, artefacts and stone objects, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects 
Determine the difference between an assessment of cultural significance and a statement of cultural significance 
Consult with colleagues and experts to identify factors that may impact on the assessment and incorporate them into planning work 
Collect information relevant to the assessment of cultural significance in collaboration with relevant experts 
Assess the cultural significance of the site in accordance with the Burra Charter guidelines and legislative requirements 
Prepare a statement of cultural significance consistent with the assessment of cultural significance findings, in collaboration with relevant experts to Community and legislative requirements 
Seek feedback from colleagues on statement of significance 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCASW308 - Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal sites and 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

AHCASW308 - Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal sites and 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: