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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare and propagate bioagent media
   • 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
2. Obtain bioagent cultures
   • 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
3. Maintain and monitor cultures
   • 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
4. Harvest and store cultures
   • 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

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

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

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Knowledge Evidence

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

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