Assessor Resource

SITTTOP006B
Operate tours in a remote area

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to tour operators who operate day tours or tours of several days' duration to single or multiple remote area destinations and who may use any form of transportation or operate walking tours. Remote area touring might involve sightseeing and recreational activities. Personnel who operate with some level of autonomy or under limited supervision and guidance from others are responsible for operating this style of tour. This function is undertaken by people such as owner-operators of a tour operating business, senior tour guides and senior driver guides.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to operate any style of tour in a remote area and requires specific abilities in bush craft and survival and the use of communication equipment. It requires the ability to operate remote tours within the requirements set by any permit conditions and land management guidelines. It also requires the ability to provide for the safety of customers and ensure low environmental impact.

This unit does not cover complementary skills in operating camp sites and providing catering, which are covered by other units in the Tour Operations field.

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

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

Prerequisites

Nil


Employability Skills

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.




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, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to safely operate tours in remote areas with minimal negative environmental and social impact

ability to apply bush craft and survival techniques in a remote area

knowledge of the negative environmental impacts of operating tours in remote areas and minimal impact practices

knowledge of the, safety and regulatory issues that relate to remote tour operationproject or work activities that show the candidate effectively assessing and responding to a range of emergency situations

ability to integrate general problem-solving skills with the technical skills required for operation of tours in remote areas

ability to deliver tours within remote areas within the time and other operational constraints of a pre-planned tour itinerary.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills while leading tours in remote areas where bush craft and survival techniques would be required

access to the full range of transportation, communications, navigation and other equipment used on remote tours

involvement of appropriate numbers of touring customers to reflect local industry needs and product profile

access to current regulatory documents distributed by key land management agencies and federal, state or territory, and local governments, such as plain English legislative publications, codes and standards outlining environmental regulatory requirements

use of industry ecotourism codes of practice, especially that of the Ecotourism Association of Australia.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to operate tours in a remote area. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate using bush craft and survival techniques

direct observation of the candidate receiving and relaying communications

review of operational plans and checklists and post-tour reports prepared and completed by the candidate

written and oral questioning or interview and role-plays to test appropriate assessment and response to a range of remote area emergency situations

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of such things as safety issues, the principles of bush craft and survival techniques, regulatory issues and minimal impact practices

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SITTTOP002A Load touring equipment and conduct pre-departure checks

SITTTOP004B Set up and operate a camp site.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.


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.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

bush craft and survival techniques

map reading and use of navigational equipment

high-level problem-solving skills, specifically in relation to the operation of tours in a remote area, and sufficient to assess and solve problems with limited assistance

numeracy skills to calculate distances between various declinational points

literacy skills to read and interpret complex remote area maps and manufacturer's guidelines for the use of communications equipment.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

all operational features of remote area communication methods and equipment

international radio call signs

the key features and all operational aspects of equipment and supplies needed for remote area touring

the cultural or environmental sensitivity of remote areas to be visited and use of minimal impact practices to protect and sustain these

correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for waste including human waste

the key contents of industry ecotourism codes of practice, especially that of the Ecotourism Association of Australia

the existence and basic aspects of state, territory and local government environmental and local community protection laws and regulations and actions that must be adhered to when operating in remote areas

key permit requirements for remote areas, including when operating in national parks and on land under the control of traditional owners.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Current hazards in accessing and operating in the remote area may include:

inclement weather

flooding

animal or insect infestation

civil uprising

landslips

blocked roads

damaged facilities

lack of available supplies

disease, illness, injury and death.

Navigation and communication equipment may include:

compass

global positioning system (GPS)

radio communication equipment

emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

Tour experiences may include:

walking

four-wheel drive sightseeing

boating and cruising

aerial sightseeing

fishing

any recreational or adventure activity

any outdoor activity.

Bush craft and survival techniques may involve:

building temporary shelter

sourcing water

sourcing food

navigating when lost

navigating when maps and navigation equipment fail

signalling for help when communications equipment fails.

Emergency situations in a remote area may involve:

any form of injury or illness to self or customer

heat exhaustion and heat stroke

hypothermia

falls

accidental crash of vehicle or vessel

dangerous bites or stings

failure of transportation or communications equipment.

Negative environmental impact may include:

disturbance or injury to fauna

physical damage to flora

damage to camp sites and surrounding areas

instigation of bush fire due to incorrect management of open fires

pollution from waste

noise disturbance to the local community

damage to culturally sensitive areas or sites.

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 current hazards in accessing and operating in the remote area, assess risks and action contingency plans to eliminate or control the risks. 
Read maps and use navigation and communication equipment accurately to find tour destinations and to navigate the return journey. 
Share bush craft knowledge with customers to enhance the tour experiences and employ their help, if required. 
Employ bush craft and survival techniques in remote areas in emergency situations to source water, food and shelter and to signal for help or rescue. 
Tune and adjust equipment to ensure that incoming and outgoing communications can be clearly transmitted. 
Obtain and select correct communication address to make outgoing communication. 
Operate communications equipment correctly at the appropriate times to establish contact and according to organisation procedures and safety requirements. 
Relay and receive messages speaking at a volume and tone and using the phonetic alphabet or radio call signs to allow the other party to hear clearly and understand the message. 
Provide appropriate response to caller, respond to requests for action or information and confirm that requests have been actioned. 
Conduct the tour to ensure minimal negativeimpact to the environment and maximum comfort and safety of passengers. 
Conduct all activities according to special permit requirements and report any incidents to the relevant agency. 
Monitor the quality of culturally or environmentally sensitive areas or sites and report any deficiencies or damage to the relevant agency. 
Minimise the effects of noise on local communities. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SITTTOP006B - Operate tours in a remote area
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

SITTTOP006B - Operate tours in a remote area

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: