Assessor Resource

AHCPMG310
Prepare, monitor and maintain biological agents

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, monitor and maintain biological control agents for weed control prior to release in an experimental or field situation. Biological agents must be maintained and stored in an effective way to optimise its potency on targeted weed species.

All work is carried out to comply with the organisation’s pest management plan.

The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.

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. Prepare and propagate bioagent media

1.1 Identify, select and access bioagent media to suit the host and target

1.2 Prepare required media

1.3 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

2. Obtain bioagent cultures

2.1 Procure cultures from established sources and maintain microclimate in transport to the laboratory

2.2 Transfer cultures to growing environment

2.3 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

3. Maintain and monitor cultures

3.1 Check cultures regularly

3.2 Maintain optimum environmental conditions to maximise culture growth and condition

3.3 Record observations and report abnormalities to the appropriate authority

3.4 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

4. Harvest and store cultures

4.1 Use routine monitoring of culture growth to identify the need for harvest and agent release

4.2 Determine harvesting program in line with program requirements

4.3 Complete harvest operations and transfer cultures to storage

4.4 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

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 provide evidence that they can:

prepare and propagate biological agents according to laboratory policies and procedures

transfer cultures to growing environment according to laboratory policies and procedures

harvest and store biological agents according to laboratory policies and procedures

monitor and keep records of observations and details of any abnormalities according to laboratory policies and procedures

apply work health and safety policies and procedures in the context of own work

apply appropriate sustainability and biosecurity practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

laboratory procedures

the range of media available for culture maintenance

culture and media preparation techniques

available biological control agents and their use

the range of pest species that are to be targeted with biological agents

biosecurity and quarantine requirements

Candidates must have access to bioagent media and cultures, appropriate equipment and resources for the purpose of assessment.

Assessors must satisfy 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. Prepare and propagate bioagent media

1.1 Identify, select and access bioagent media to suit the host and target

1.2 Prepare required media

1.3 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

2. Obtain bioagent cultures

2.1 Procure cultures from established sources and maintain microclimate in transport to the laboratory

2.2 Transfer cultures to growing environment

2.3 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

3. Maintain and monitor cultures

3.1 Check cultures regularly

3.2 Maintain optimum environmental conditions to maximise culture growth and condition

3.3 Record observations and report abnormalities to the appropriate authority

3.4 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

4. Harvest and store cultures

4.1 Use routine monitoring of culture growth to identify the need for harvest and agent release

4.2 Determine harvesting program in line with program requirements

4.3 Complete harvest operations and transfer cultures to storage

4.4 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity

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 provide evidence that they can:

prepare and propagate biological agents according to laboratory policies and procedures

transfer cultures to growing environment according to laboratory policies and procedures

harvest and store biological agents according to laboratory policies and procedures

monitor and keep records of observations and details of any abnormalities according to laboratory policies and procedures

apply work health and safety policies and procedures in the context of own work

apply appropriate sustainability and biosecurity practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

laboratory procedures

the range of media available for culture maintenance

culture and media preparation techniques

available biological control agents and their use

the range of pest species that are to be targeted with biological agents

biosecurity and quarantine requirements

Candidates must have access to bioagent media and cultures, appropriate equipment and resources for the purpose of assessment.

Assessors must satisfy 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
Identify, select and access bioagent media to suit the host and target 
Prepare required media 
Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity 
Procure cultures from established sources and maintain microclimate in transport to the laboratory 
Transfer cultures to growing environment 
Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity 
Check cultures regularly 
Maintain optimum environmental conditions to maximise culture growth and condition 
Record observations and report abnormalities to the appropriate authority 
Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity 
Use routine monitoring of culture growth to identify the need for harvest and agent release 
Determine harvesting program in line with program requirements 
Complete harvest operations and transfer cultures to storage 
Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPMG310 - Prepare, monitor and maintain biological agents
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

AHCPMG310 - Prepare, monitor and maintain biological agents

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: