Certificate IV in Aquaculture

This qualification specifies the competencies relevant to people working as aquaculturists in a supervisory or leadership capacity. A person operating at this level may be expected to comply with legislative requirements as well as implement a range of enterprise policies and procedures. They will also use their knowledge and skills to solve problems, plan for future work activities and take responsibility for others.

The qualification will have application for people working:

on aquaculture farms or fishout/put-and-take operations

in hatcheries and nurseries

in live post-harvest holding facilities, such as processing plants, wholesalers or transporters

in pet shops, public aquaria, zoos or other facilities with aquatic animals

for companies providing contract specialist services for aquaculture operations

for companies providing consultancy, advisory, equipment sale or other services.

Job role

A person operating at this level supervises or coordinates a broad range of duties appropriate to work in this sector of the seafood industry which may include:

coordinating stock-related activities, such as:

feeding, handling, harvesting and controlling pests, predators and disease

coordinating the monitoring and maintaining of stock and the aquaculture environment

managing the installing, constructing and maintenance of stock holding and culture systems, and other farm structures

ensuring safe and efficient procedures for production of quality product

responsibility for:

use of mechanisation, automation or technology to improve production

training and induction of staff, including emergency procedures

compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS), environment, animal welfare and food safety regulations.

Work may vary between aquaculture and live holding enterprises.

Job role titles may include:

harvest manager

head supervisor

gear supervisor

safety officer

senior or head technician

shift leader

quality assurance or environmental officer.


Subjects

Packaging Rules

A total of twenty (20) units of competency must be achieved.

four (4) core units plus

five (5) aquaculture specialist elective units (Group A) plus

eleven (11) elective units that may be selected from a combination of:

Group A aquaculture specialist units not yet selected for this qualification

Group B elective units

imported units from this Training Package or from any other nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. A maximum of four (4) units can be imported, however, at least two (2) of those units must be aligned to Certificate IV or Diploma level. Units must be relevant to aquaculture operations and not duplicate units already selected.

Core units of competency

Unit code

Unit title

add topic SFICORE101C *

Apply basic food handling and safety practices

add topic SFICORE103C

Communicate in the seafood industry

add topic SFICORE105B

Work effectively in the seafood industry

add topic SFICORE106B

Meet workplace OHS requirements

* Note: add topic SFICORE101C is not a required unit for operations that are growing or holding species not destined for human consumption. This includes ornamental or display species, stock for pearls, and stockers for conservation purposes. The unit FDFOP2063A Apply quality systems and procedures, is to be used in its place.

Elective units of competency

Group A: Aquaculture specialist units

Unit code

Unit title

add topic SFIAQUA308C

Maintain water quality and environmental monitoring

add topic SFIAQUA316A

Oversee the control of predators and pests

add topic SFIAQUA317A

Oversee the control of diseases

add topic SFIAQUA401C

Develop and implement a stock health program

add topic SFIAQUA402C

Coordinate construction or installation of stock culture, holding and farm structures

add topic SFIAQUA404C

Operate hatchery

add topic SFIAQUA406C

Seed and harvest round pearls

add topic SFIAQUA407C

Coordinate sustainable aquacultural practices

add topic SFIAQUA408C

Supervise harvest and post-harvest activities

add topic SFIAQUA409B

Implement, monitor and review stock production

add topic SFIAQUA410B

Implement a program to operate, maintain or upgrade a system comprising high technology water treatment components

add topic SFIAQUA411A

Manage water quality and environmental monitoring in enclosed systems

add topic SFIAQUA413A

Develop emergency procedures for an aquaculture enterprise

add topic SFIOHS301C

Implement OHS policies and guidelines

add topic ACMCAS403A

Design, construct and maintain aquascapes

add topic AHCWRK403A

Supervise work routines and staff performance

add topic BSBRSK401A

Identify risk and apply risk management processes

Group B: Other elective units

Aquaculture operations

Unit code

Unit title

add topic SFIAQUA309C

Oversee harvest and post-harvest activities

add topic SFIAQUA314A

Support hatchery operations

add topic SFIAQUA318A

Coordinate feed activities

add topic SFIEMS301B

Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices

Farm operations

Unit code

Unit title

add topic AHCBUS402A

Cost a project

add topic AHCBUS404A

Operate within a budget framework

add topic AHCCHM401A

Minimise risks in the use of chemicals

add topic AHCCHM402A

Plan and implement a chemical use program

add topic AHCINF301A

Implement property improvement, construction and repair

add topic AHCMOM402A

Supervise maintenance of property machinery and equipment

Ornamental operations

Unit code

Unit title

add topic SIRXMER004A

Manage merchandise and store presentation

Occupational health and safety

Unit code

Unit title

HLTAID003

Provide first aid

Quality assurance, food safety and environmental management

Unit code

Unit title

add topic SFIEMS302B

Act to prevent interaction with protected species

add topic SFIEMS401B

Conduct an internal audit of an environmental management system

add topic BSBAUD402B

Participate in a quality audit

add topic MTMCOR402C

Facilitate Quality Assurance process

add topic MTMPSR412A

Participate in product recall

add topic MTMPSR414A

Establish sampling program

add topic MTMPSR406B

Manage and maintain a food safety plan

Business services

Unit code

Unit title

add topic BSBADM407B

Administer projects

add topic BSBADM409A

Coordinate business resources

add topic BSBCUS401B

Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies

add topic BSBEBU401A

Review and maintain a website

add topic BSBFIA302A

Process payroll

add topic BSBFIA401A

Prepare financial reports

add topic BSBITU203A

Communicate electronically

add topic BSBITU305A

Conduct online transactions

add topic BSBITU404A

Produce complex desktop published documents

add topic BSBPUR401B

Plan purchasing

add topic BSBPUR402B

Negotiate contracts

add topic BSBRES401A

Analyse and present research information

add topic BSBWOR301B

Organise personal work priorities and development

SITXMPR401

Coordinate production of brochures and marketing materials

add topic TLIR4002A

Source goods/services and evaluate contractors

Frontline management

Unit code

Unit title

add topic BSBATSIC411C

Communicate with the community

add topic BSBINM401A

Implement workplace information system

add topic BSBHRM404A

Review human resource functions

add topic BSBHRM405A

Support the recruitment, selection and induction of staff

add topic BSBINN301A

Promote innovation in a team environment

add topic BSBLED401A

Develop teams and individuals

add topic BSBMGT401A

Show leadership in the workplace

add topic BSBMGT403A

Implement continuous improvement

Industry leadership Focus A - sector representation

Unit code

Unit title

add topic SFILEAD401B

Develop and promote knowledge of the industry sector

add topic SFILEAD402B

Negotiate effectively for the sector

add topic SFILEAD403B

Demonstrate commitment and professionalism

Industry leadership Focus B - resource management group membership

Unit code

Unit title

add topic SFILEAD407A

Provide expert information to a resource management group

add topic SFILEAD408A

Analyse information to develop strategic seafood management options

add topic SFILEAD409A

Negotiate collective outcomes within the resource management group process

Small business management

Unit code

Unit title

add topic BSBINM201A

Process and maintain workplace information

add topic BSBSMB301A

Investigate micro business opportunities

add topic BSBSMB401A

Establish legal and risk management requirements of a small business

add topic BSBSMB402A

Plan small business finances

add topic BSBSMB403A

Market the small business

add topic BSBSMB404A

Undertake small business planning

add topic BSBSMB405B

Monitor and manage small business operations

add topic BSBSMB406A

Manage small business finances

add topic BSBSMB407A

Manage a small team

Training and assessment

Unit code

Unit title

add topic TAEASS401B

Plan assessment activities and processes

add topic TAEASS402B

Assess competence

add topic TAEASS403B

Participate in assessment validation

add topic TAEDEL402A

Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace


Pathways...

    Pathways into the qualification

    Pathways for candidates considering this qualification include:

    direct entry with prior experience in aquaculture or related field

    SFI30111 Certificate III in Aquaculture

    vocational and tertiary studies related to environmental sustainability

    maritime skills, including certifications, such as Coxswain.

    Pathways from the qualification

    After achieving this qualification, candidates may undertake:

    SFI50111 Diploma of Aquaculture.


Entry Requirements

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification considerations

Licences for operating motor vehicles, tractors, forklifts, vessels and other plant apply to some competencies. OHS, food safety, and environmental protection regulations apply to aquaculture enterprises.


Employability Skills

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

SFI40111 Certificate IV in Aquaculture

The following table contains a summary of the employability skills as identified by the aquaculture sector for this qualification. This table should be interpreted in conjunction with the detailed requirements of each unit of competency packaged in this qualification. The outcomes described here are broad industry requirements and may vary from one agency to another.

Employability Skill

Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include:

Communication

calculating perimeters, area, volume, angles and scientific concepts, such as concentration

confirming production requirements and environmental monitoring requirements with senior personnel

explaining roles and responsibilities to staff

providing feedback on performance to staff

writing and presenting reports to management.

Teamwork

identifying and using the strengths of other team members

liaising with emergency agencies

supporting staff to meet work schedules and production outcomes

working with diverse individuals and groups.

Problem solving

applying a range of strategies in problem solving

developing measurement methods for monitoring non-routine water quality and environment parameters

diagnosing health problems

identifying husbandry practices to solve stock health issues.

Initiative and enterprise

adapting to new situations

assessing options for mechanisation or automation of process or activity

evaluating the benefits of contracted specialist labour

identifying improvements to the aquaculture enterprise, including efficiencies, productivity and systems, such as OHS, environmental management and quality assurance

manipulating water chemistry to improve water quality

reporting non-compliances and non-routine matters.

Planning and organising

developing routines for stock health management

interpreting stock health and other production plans to develop yearly calendar of activities, monitoring schedules and performance benchmarks

managing time and priorities

organising personnel into an efficient aquaculture operation

sequencing activities for safe and efficient operation.

Self-management

being timely and effective in responding to enterprise needs within work role

carrying a fair share of the workload

managing personal stress

prioritising work and related activities

taking responsibility and being accountable for planning and work outcomes.

Learning

being open to learning, new ideas and techniques

coaching staff within the enterprise to improve performance

contributing to the learning of others

learning in order to take up new opportunities

participating in ongoing learning.

Technology

using high technology components for waste treatment in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

using technology and computer software to record and analyse data

using technology to monitor environmental factors in culture or holding structures

using technology to monitor expenses and budgets

using technology to present information, such as graphs and tables.