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.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when operating a racing training business

documentation related to a number and variety of racing horses that are presently in training and housed in registered training facilities

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient operation of a racing training business

working with others to implement and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time and be focused on business activities of an establishment that trains harness or thoroughbred horses. Theoretical components can be assessed in a simulated situation but must be related to racing industry conditions and tasks.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of harness or thoroughbred horses that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments, and training and racetracks

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to operate a racing training business

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

inspection of completed work

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

RGRCMN001A Comply with the rules of racing and related protocols

RGRCMN401A Maintain and monitor OHS procedures and environmental work practices

RGRPSH422A Promote and maintain business arrangements with racehorse owners

RGRPSH504A Develop systems and records for horse racing business training operations.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

adhering to responsibilities under relevant legislation and workplace practices

checking invoices and completing payments

communicating with racing officials, stable staff, horse health specialists and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to operating a horse racing training business

complying with animal welfare policies in the care and management of horses

conflict resolution

ensuring license and registration applications are completed and submitted

ensuring licenses and registrations are maintained

ensuring security of medications and stable complies with racing regulatory authority requirements

incorporating safe work practices into all instructions and procedures

maintaining medication records

maintaining required insurances

maintaining staff employment and related payroll records

maintaining taxation records

preparing and distributing invoices

preparing and submitting stable returns

providing assistance to others in the workplace

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

resolving conflict

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

animal welfare obligations

business registration and related obligations, including taxation and insurance

council regulations for the operation of a racing stable

employment conditions and recruitment options

license and registration requirements for staff and horses

OHS obligations and racing industry safe operating procedures

rules of racing.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to operate a horse racing training business. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred racing stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Obligations and responsibilities of licensed trainers may include:

complying with anti-discrimination legislation, including bullying and sexual harassment

complying with Australian and local rules of racing of the state or territory regulatory racing body

complying with national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

complying with OHS legislation and regulations and environmental work practices

complying with legislative requirements for insurance, including:

public liability

workers' compensation

confirming arrangements for collection of prize money and distribution to owners

confirming arrangements for payment of race entry fees and track fees

confirming owner representatives

ensuring all staff are registered or licensed

ensuring stable adheres to council regulations and by-laws, for example:

buildings

disposal of waste

instructing staff in safe operating procedures

maintaining stable security

providing information to racing regulatory officers.

Options for training business structure may include:

location of training stables:

country

metropolitan

provincial

operating as a sole trader, partnership or company

staffing requirements

whether trainer needs to register for goods and services tax (GST) and acquire an Australian business number (ABN) for invoicing owners and distributing prize money.

Racing registrations and licenses may include:

owner-trainer

public trainer

shared license options.

Racing documents may include:

license and registration forms for staff and horses

medication control information and declarations

race book

race nominations and acceptances

race programs

race results

race scratching notifications

feed batch information

stable medication records

stable returns

steward inquiry information and notices.

Obligations resulting from contractual arrangements may include:

license obligations to comply with rules of racing

Sale of Goods Act

services agreed must be provided

staffing contract.

Expenses involved in training horses may include:

advertising

box rent or mortgage expenses

building maintenance

council rates

equipment maintenance and repair

feeding, including supplements

insurance

license and registration maintenance

medication

office operation expenses

race entry fees

saddlery, rug purchase and repair

specialist services, including:

dentist

farrier

racing colours

saddler

veterinarian

taxation obligations

track fees, including rider or driver

transport fees

utilities, including:

power

telephone

water

vehicle purchase and running costs

wages and superannuation

workers' compensation.

Arrangements between trainer, staff, clients and contractors may include:

client:

decisions on when to race a horse

decisions on when to retire horse or remove from stables

decisions on when and where to spell horse

decisions on who pays for horse expenses (flat rate all inclusive or other arrangement)

payment of accounts by monthly invoice or other arrangement

services to be provided

contractor:

confirming who has authority to order services and equipment on behalf of trainer

how will accounts be settled, for example monthly or cash on delivery

negotiating plans of treatment or service to be provided for special situations

negotiating whether individual client or trainer will be billed for services provided

staff:

conditions of employment, including hours and days of work

wages

work duties and safe operating procedures

race day attendance arrangements

structured or random performance bonuses.

Racing and financial requirements may include:

ensuring accounts are paid on time to ensure operation of stable is safe and maintains welfare of horses and staff

meeting taxation obligations, including:

GST

income taxation

proving to the satisfaction of the racing regulatory authority that a trainer has the financial resources to operate a racing stable.