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

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

comply with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations

apply organisational management policies and procedures, including quality assurance requirements where appropriate

classify construction in residential buildings through the evaluation and interpretation of compliance with the BCA and associated reporting of data, findings, recommendations and strategies for at least one residential building project or equivalent in compliance with relevant legislation

provide reports to appropriate body/individual as determined by the project brief.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

ability to respond to change and contribute to workplace responsibilities, such as current work site environmental and sustainability frameworks or management systems

communication skills to:

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

read and interpret:

Australian standards

BCA

other relevant documentation

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication

written skills to:

document building requirements

report alternative approaches to construction problem

innovation skills to develop compliant alternative solutions to construction problems

planning and organisational skills to collect, organise and analyse information

technological skills to:

complete documentation and calculations

enable information gathering and analysis.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

authorities and powers of a building surveyor

behaviour of structural members undergoing stress, strain, compression, bending or combined actions

BCA and primary referenced Australian standards

criteria for Class 1 and 10 buildings

design, construction and structural principles of buildings

DTS provisions

processes for the administration and preparation of documentation

processes for the interpretation of reports, working drawings and specifications

relevant federal, state or territory legislation and local government policy and procedures

research methods.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Construction in residential buildings includes:

compliance with relevant legislation

design specifications

evaluation, interpretation and adherence to legislative requirements for BCA Class 1 and 10 buildings

maintenance specifications

relevant Australian standards.

Building categories include:

low-rise residential buildings

single storey buildings.

Residential building projects requiring review of compliance issues include:

calculation and processing of application or inspection fees

project milestones

provision of site access/facilities

work schedules.

Standard specifications include:

developed or detailed specifications addressing specific components, such as structural or other requirements

industry standard specifications

preliminary and outline specifications.

Building surveying procedures include:

mechanical, structural, electrical and other services.