This qualification reflects the role of individuals who use a broad range of specialist guiding skills combined with a substantial depth of subject matter knowledge. They operate independently or with limited guidance from others and use discretion to solve non-routine problems.
Job roles
This qualification provides a pathway to work as a guide in many tourism industry sectors. Guides at this level usually conduct tours that involve multiple products, services and sites involving the management of tour logistics. They are employed or contracted by inbound tour operators, outbound tour wholesalers, local tour operators, or they may be owner-operators of small tourism or travel businesses.
Possible job titles include:
cultural guide
heritage guide
interpretive guide
nature-based guide
tour director
tour guide
tour manager
walking guide.
Subjects
9 units must be completed:
3 core units
6 elective units, consisting of:
4 units from the list below
2 units from the list below, elsewhere in SIT12 Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course.
The selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome sought, local industry requirements and the complexity of skills appropriate to the AQF level of this qualification.
Core units
SITTGDE401 Coordinate and operate tours
SITXCOM401 Manage conflict
SITXCCS401 Enhance the customer service experience
Elective units
Communication and Teamwork
SITXCOM301 Address protocol requirements
Environmental Sustainability
BSBSUS201A Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
BSBSUS301A Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
First Aid
HLTAID005 Provide first aid in remote situations
Food and Beverage
SITHFAB305 Provide advice on Australian wines ^
^ Prerequisite is SITHFAB201 Provide responsible service of alcohol
Guiding
SITTGDE101 Interpret aspects of local Australian Indigenous culture
SITTGDE302 Provide arrival and departure assistance
SITTGDE306 Research and share general information on Australian Indigenous cultures
SITTGDE307 Prepare specialised interpretive content on flora, fauna and landscape
SITTGDE308 Prepare specialised interpretive content on marine environments
SITTGDE309 Prepare specialised interpretive content on cultural and heritage environments
SITTGDE402 Manage extended touring programs
Human Resource Management
SITXHRM301 Coach others in job skills
Languages other than English
SITXLAN32__ Conduct complex oral communication in a language other than English
SITXLAN33__ Read and write information in a language other than English
SITTGDE302 Provide arrival and departure assistance
SITTGDE402 Manage extended touring programs
SITTTSL202 Access and interpret product information
SITTTSL301 Provide advice on international destinations
SITTTSL303 Sell tourism products and services
Pathways...
This qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.
Pathways into the qualification
It is highly recommended that individuals entering this qualification have SIT30512 Certificate III in Guiding or equivalent vocational expertise.
Pathways from the qualification
After achieving SIT40112 Certificate IV in Guiding, individuals could undertake a Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Travel and Tourism.
Entry Requirements
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who are able to demonstrate guiding industry knowledge, customer service and operational skills. The individual must either:
Be formally assessed through a training program or recognition process, against the following core units of competency from SIT30512 Certificate III in Guiding:
SITTGDE304 Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities
SITTGDE305 Develop and maintain the general and regional knowledge required by guides
SITXCCS303 Provide service to customers
SITXCOM201 Show social and cultural sensitivity
SITXWHS101 Participate in safe work practices
SITXWHS301 Identify hazards, assess and control safety risks
OR
Have relevant guiding industry employment experience. A job that has involved the application of skills described in core units of competency from SIT30512 Certificate III in Guiding would be a satisfactory indicator for entry. A determination need not involve a formal process of measuring, evaluating or recording performance against the units of competency.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills
Employability Skill
Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include:
Communication
Communicating with tourism operators to determine specific needs of customer groups to deliver tailored information; providing clear and accurate interpretive themes and messages in specialised tour commentaries; interpreting complex operational information to manage tour logistics; anticipating and determining customer preferences and expectations to provide professional and personalised customer service experiences; managing customer conflict sensitively, courteously and discreetly; empathising and negotiating acceptable solutions to customer problems and complaints.
Initiative and enterprise
Adapting to emerging operational situations and problems by initiating creative and immediate responses to effectively manage tour logistics; participating in continuous improvement by reporting success or deficiencies of touring products and services; suggesting ideas for new or improved products and services and increased profitability for the tourism operator.
Learning
Knowing own skill and knowledge strengths and weaknesses; taking responsibility for own professional development; sourcing ongoing learning opportunities and information to proactively and regularly update the general, specialist and destination knowledge required; supporting guiding colleagues to learn.
Planning and organising
Collecting, analysing and organising customer, product and supplier information to effectively manage logistical delivery of the tour; collecting, analysing and selecting appropriate general, specialist and destination information to meet the needs of the specific customer group; logistically pacing the delivery of multiple tour components and information to meet the operational and customer service requirements.
Problem-solving
Responding to complex logistical problems that arise with touring arrangements by making adjustments that minimise disruption to customers and provide a quality tourism experience; identifying and clarifying the extent of logistical problems that impact on tour delivery and quality, self-manage the impacts or request assistance from the tourism operator to resolve issues; using discretion and judgement as well as predetermined policies and procedures to guide solutions to tour delivery problems.
Self-management
Understanding and following policies and procedures for legal compliance; acting through self-direction and organising own work time and priorities when preparing for and delivering tours; working independently to deliver tours without supervision; taking responsibility for servicing the tourism customer and for resolving operational difficulties only referring problems to the tourism operator when absolutely necessary; reviewing and reflecting on own work performance and seeking feedback from tourism operators on success in effectively servicing the needs of tour participants.
Teamwork
Working as a skilled team member to deliver the quality service goals of the tourism operator; taking responsibility for own role in delivering the tour and servicing the needs of group members; leading the tour or activity participants as a team, providing instructions and building group cohesion.
Technology
Understanding the operating capability of, selecting and using technologies that assist in preparing participant information and delivering tours such as computer systems and software, microphones, vehicles, navigation equipment, and recreational and entertainment equipment; correctly using equipment to manage personal safety in the workplace.
