Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to review and audit all aspects of arboricultural operations.
This unit applies to individuals who take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work, to analyse and synthesise information, and design and communicate solutions to complex problems. The role involves the self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in areas such as auditing, conformance, tree assessment and an extensive range of tree operations.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory. Works involving this unit of competency may be subject to local tree protection and preservation laws, and the relevant content of applicable Australian Standards.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify and gather information | 1.1 Identify audit objectives, scope and focus 1.2 Identify target operations and documentation 1.3 Determine audit process and sampling technique 1.4 Determine frequency and random timing of audit event 1.5 Prepare audit documentation 1.6 Conduct pre-audit communications with client and relevant stakeholders 1.7 Gather relevant information, sample documentation, codes of practice and Australian Standards |
2. Audit tree works | 2.1 Organise on-site inspections to conduct the audit process 2.2 Audit the specific tree works operation being undertaken 2.3 Audit any pruning, removal, transplanting, planting, tree protection techniques and arboricultural practices being undertaken 2.4 Inspect and assess arboricultural works that may impact on tree physiology, anatomy, pathology and environment 2.5 Audit works in relation to relevant documentation and legislation 2.6 Determine the extent of work with conformance to relevant documentation and legislation 2.7 Identify and record non-conformance 2.8 Assess extent and manner of non-conformance 2.9 Document findings and relevant field notes |
3. Assess impact of non-arboricultural works | 3.1 Inspect and assess non-arboricultural works that may impact on the tree or its environment 3.2 Determine impact of non-arboricultural works of clients, contractors and stakeholders 3.3 Provide feedback on non-arboricultural works to clients, contractors and stakeholders |
4. Provide feedback to contractors, clients and stakeholders | 4.1 Provide feedback on the findings of the inspections to clients, contractors and stakeholders 4.2 Provide advice for improvement, rectification and management of non-conformances 4.3 Prioritise required ongoing management |
5. Document and present audit report, notifications and plans | 5.1 Document audit report and non-conformance notifications 5.2 Advise statutory authorities where required 5.3 Document an ongoing management plan specifying the tree management techniques and practices required to address the audit findings 5.4 Document a rectification plan specifying the required rectifications of non-conformances 5.5 Present reports and plans to client and relevant stakeholders |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must produce a tree work audit report that contains all findings, recommendations, non-conformance, notifications and an ongoing management plan. The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:
identifying audit objectives, scope and focus
identifying target operations and documentation
determining audit process and sampling technique
determining frequency and random timing of audit event
preparing audit documentation
conducting pre-audit communications with client and relevant stakeholders
gathering relevant information, sample documentation, codes of practice and Australian Standards
organising on-site inspections to conduct the audit process
auditing the specific tree works operation being undertaken
auditing any pruning, removal, transplanting, planting, tree protection techniques and arboricultural practices being undertaken
inspecting and assessing arboricultural works that may impact on the tree physiology, anatomy, pathology and environment
auditing works in relation to relevant documentation and legislation
determining the extent of work with conformance to relevant documentation and legislation
identifying and recording non-conformance
assessing extent and manner of non-conformance
documenting findings and relevant field notes
inspecting and assessing non-arboricultural works that may impact on the tree or its environment
determining impact of non-arboricultural works of clients, contractors and stakeholders
providing feedback on non-arboricultural works to clients, contractors and stakeholders
providing feedback on the findings of the inspections to clients, contractors and stakeholders
providing advice for improvement, rectification and management of non-conformances
prioritising required ongoing management
documenting audit report and non-conformance notifications
advising statutory authorities where required
documenting an ongoing management plan specifying the tree management techniques and practices required to address the audit findings
documenting a rectification plan specifying the required rectifications of non-conformances
presenting reports and plans to client and relevant stakeholders.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
audit objectives, scope and focus
auditing terminology
audit processes
audit sampling techniques
frequency and random timing of audit events
preparation of audit documentation
pre-audit communications
relevant audit information and sample documentation
relevant codes of practice and Australian Standards
relevant legislation and documentation
on-site inspections
targeting and documentation of specific tree works operations
auditing of pruning, removal, transplanting, planting, tree protection techniques and arboricultural practices
tree physiology, anatomy, pathology and environment
inspection and assessment of tree physiology, anatomy, pathology and environment
arboricultural works that may impact on the tree physiology, anatomy, pathology and environment
non-arboricultural works that may impact on the tree or its environment
determination of impact of non-arboricultural works
documentation and legislation relevant to auditing works
determination of extent of works with conformance to documentation and legislation
identification of non-conformance
assessment of extent and manner of non-conformance
provision of feedback and findings of inspections to clients, contractors and stakeholders
improvement, rectification and management of non-conformances
notification of non-conformance
provision of advice of non-conformance
documentation of audit reports
specification of tree management techniques and practices required to address audit findings
methods of advising statutory authorities
audit reporting methods
documentation of an ongoing management plan
specifications for required rectifications of non-conformances
documentation of a rectification plan
report and plan production and presentation.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.
Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.
The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:
equipment:
computer
word processing software
internet connection
digital camera/phone camera
trees
materials:
compliance and audit report form
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.
Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:
arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)