Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Establish the scope of agent release
   • Target plant species are located and identified consistent with integrated pest management strategy where applicable.
   • Incidence and density of the target population are estimated and recorded according to enterprise procedures where appropriate.
   • Suitable biological control agents are identified and sourced consistent with enterprise procedures and/or integrate pest management strategy.
2. Identify the site and release methodology
   • Release site is identified in line with target species and integrated pest management strategy.
   • Release methodology is established and scheduled in line with established agency advice or enterprise practice.
3. Carry out on-site tasks
   • Permits and landholder co-operation are established to facilitate release program.
   • Release is carried out within enterprise or industry guidelines regarding weather or other conditions.
   • Release is completed as scheduled according to release methodology and details are recorded in laboratory and field records following enterprise procedure or industry standard.
4. Monitor and report on biological agent releases
   • Biological agent release site is monitored to evaluate effectiveness and spread to target species consistent with the integrated pest management strategy where appropriate.
   • Regular reports are provided to landholder and regulatory authorities.
   • Records are completed as required by agency requirements.
   • Biological agent releases are scheduled according to agent and target biology consistent with the integrated pest management strategy.

Required Skills

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe operating procedures establish the scope of agent release establish the scope of agent release work effectively in a team situation in the lab or field identify relevant pest species identify the site and release methodology operate relevant vehicles and plant carry out onsite tasks observe effectively and report accurately monitor and report on biological agent releases use literacy skills to read interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures follow sequenced written instructions record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks use oral communication skillslanguage competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning techniques active listening clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace measures use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

Required knowledge

insect animal andor plant identification principles use of identification keys pest physiology and growth relevant legislative requirements safe handling techniques environmental legislation and risks of releasing biological agents

Evidence Required

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 holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following source suitable biological control agents for target plant species suitable biological control agents are sourced for target plant species identify the site and release methodology documentation of release is kept and effected landholders informed biological agent releases are monitored and follow up planned
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances

---

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Biological control agents may include:	control agents for insects, fungi, plants, and pest animals.

---