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

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Adapt practice to rural context
   • Identify and respond to the current philosophies, framework and issues that apply in a rural context, including specific work health and safety issues
   • Identify and use models of work that may be applied in the rural sector
   • Recognise and respond to the impact of current and historical social, economic and political factors on clients in the rural sector
3. Target services to the needs of clients in the rural sector
   • Use approaches that reflect understanding of a farms as both business and family enterprises
   • Apply knowledge of financial aspects relating to planning and management of a rural enterprise
   • Collect and review information from key stakeholders and representatives
   • Make appropriate referrals using knowledge of local support networks
   • Advocate on behalf of clients in the rural sector where appropriate
   • Support clients in mediation and negotiation with third parties
4. Ensure personal approach aligns with client needs
   • Demonstrate a commitment to access and equity principles in all work undertaken
   • Reflect on and take account of own values and attitudes regarding rural financial counselling
   • Adapt own approach to meet individual social, cultural and linguistic needs of clients
   • Respond with sensitivity to clients experiencing stress

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

worked according to the values and philosophies of rural financial counselling, using critical thinking and problem-solving skills to respond to the financial counselling needs of at least 5 different rural clients, including:

working in accordance with the class order applicable for rural financial counselling services (class order 11/926)

engaging in mediation with financial institutions using state/territory farm debt mediation Acts and other relevant legislation

reading and interpreting enterprise profit and loss statements.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations (national, state/territory) for financial counselling, and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice:

children in the workplace

codes of conduct/practice

conflict of interest

court systems and the key feature of their operation

discrimination

duty of care

human rights

informed consent

mandatory reporting

practice standards

practitioner/client boundaries

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients:

scope and limitations of financial counsellor role

specific legislation that applies to rural financial counselling work, including:

Financial Services Reform Act 2003

state/territory farm debt mediation Acts

state rural adjustment Acts

work health and safety

current context issues that impact rural financial counselling work, including:

primary industries and their role

farms as business enterprises and commonly used farm business structures

political context

economic context

social issues

technology issues

eligible rural enterprises

models of work in the rural sector, including:

options for development and decision support

farm debt mediation

farm visits

case management

working with families

referral

early intervention/prevention

community development and education

risk identification

stakeholders commonly involved in rural financial counselling work, including:

financial services

community service

industry bodies

government institutions and regulators

personal networks

principles of farm enterprise business and succession planning

principles and techniques for cash flow budgeting

how to interpret profit and loss statements

banking and finance industries and regulatory frameworks including hardship provisions for primary producers

Centrelink support mechanisms

referral networks and resources

principles of client empowerment/disempowerment

principles of access and equity

signs of health/mental health issues, including common indicators of suicide risk

factors for consideration when working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous Australian culture

impact of work practices that are unsatisfactory or illegal, including:

using workers without visa

paying appropriate wages

rural family culture and dynamics.

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