This unit applies to those who are working on Country finding Aboriginal-sites and working to assess significance in landscapes on Country. The unit applies to working with lore/law men and women either as an autonomous Sites worker or under the supervision and cultural authority of Traditional Owner/s and/or Elder/s for specific Country. This unit is also applicable to the work of repatriation workers and anthropologists. This unit applies to all Aboriginal-sites workers. Cultural beliefs and practices vary across locations and communities however and in some situations non-Aboriginal learners may not be able to access the cultural knowledge and/or materials required to achieve competency in this unit. This applies when restrictions are applied to non-Aboriginal people gaining access to cultural knowledge, material or sites. In these situations the Registered Training Organisation will have to make alternative arrangements for learners that are still consistent with the delivery and assessment requirements for this unit.
AHCASW302A Relate Aboriginal culture to sites work |
AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols |
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Define significance within the industry context | 1.1 The role and prominence of the Burra Charter in the culture and heritage sector in Australia is investigated 1.2 The Burra Charter definition of significance is researched 1.3 The Burra Charter process is applied and the significance features in the process are incorporated in definitions |
2. Determine cultural significance | 2.1 Cultural Knowledge holders inform the decision-making process to determine the cultural significance of Aboriginal-sites and places 2.2 The determination of Aboriginal people as the primary source of information about the cultural significance of an Aboriginal site and landscape is acknowledged 2.3 Traditional knowledge and practices in managing Country and environment are acknowledged and respected 2.4 Aboriginal beliefs embedded in a place of cultural significance are determined 2.5 The embodiment of cultural significance in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects is recognised |
3. Conduct a significance assessment on an Aboriginal site | 3.1 The difference between an assessment of cultural significance and a statement of cultural significance is determined 3.2 In consultation with colleagues, factors that may impact on the assessment are identified and incorporated into planning work 3.3 In collaboration with relevant experts, information relevant to the assessment of cultural significance is collected 3.4 The cultural significance of the site is assessed in accordance with the Burra Charter guidelines 3.5 In collaboration with relevant experts, a statement of cultural significance consistent with the assessment of cultural significance findings is prepared 3.6 Feedback from colleagues on statement of significance is sought |
Required skills include: Ability to: respect cultural diversity and sensitivity to social, cultural and professional values and beliefs use technology to access written, oral or visual source material conduct library and internet research comprehend written, oral or visual source material interpret written, oral or visual source material apply listening skills apply oral communication skills relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities exercise discretion and confidentiality record information accurately make field notes collaborate with other professionals in the field read maps record photographic material draw mud maps handle field tools undertake test pits or collaborate with expertise monitor surface disturbance apply mitigation skills |
Required knowledge includes: Knowledge of: Aboriginal history, cultural values and interpersonal and Community protocols authentic and authoritative sources for Aboriginal cultural information, material and expression able to be accessed and shared landscape archaeology (predictive), individual or in collaboration with expert Burra Charter vegetation identification geographic/geological identification features orientation and identification of location artefacts and stone objects identification compass/dumpy level use sustainable environmental practices workplace health and safety requirements Cultural and Heritage Legislation or relevant NPWS legislation |
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 | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | The delivery and assessment of this unit must comply with Community protocols and be carried out in consultation with and participation with Traditional Owners and/or Elders and custodians of that specific Country. In accordance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, cultural knowledge copyright considerations and Aboriginal lore/law restrictions, it is essential that this requirement be respected and implemented in the delivery and assessment of Cultural Units to guarantee cultural authenticity and quality control around the delivery of training and assessment for Aboriginal-sites workers. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to: identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or for a Site collaborate with relevant experts to complete an assessment of cultural significance and involvement in an ACHMP adhere to Burra Charter process and guidelines identify cultural information, material and cultural expression appropriate to be shared identify groups to be consulted in relation to owners/custodians of cultural and Community knowledge, information and/or material |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment events must be contextualised to meet the needs of the particular group, including: a Community, educational or workplace setting involvement of people approved by cultural authorities and/or Traditional Owners of the relevant local Community experts such as Archaeologists, Researchers, Soil Testers, etc. may provide useful assistance and resources for the assessment of this unit |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in understanding cultural significance. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: observation of the candidate on Country identifying sites and collecting information for an assessment direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance verbal or written questioning examples of completed assessments of cultural significance, statements of significance, field notes, ACHMP reports and/or sections Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols AHCILM404A Record and document Community history AHCASW303A Identify and record Aboriginal-sites, artefacts and cultural landscapes AHCASW305A Work with Aboriginal ceremonial secret sacred materials Assessment for this unit should comprise a combination of theory and practical application. Both aspects of assessment are best conducted on Country for this unit. |
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. | |
Burra Charter process includes: | the cultural significance of a place and other issues affecting its future are best understood by a sequence of collecting and analysing information before making decisions. Understanding cultural significance comes first, then development of policy and finally management of the place in accordance with the policy the policy for managing a place must be based on an understanding of its cultural significance policy development should also include consideration of other factors affecting the future of a place such as the owner’s needs, resources, external constraints and its physical condition |
Aboriginal-sites may include | shelters with deposits open camp site midden shelter with midden shelter with art isolated find undefined sites axe grinding grooves bora/ceremonial ring burial site rock engraving scarred tree carved tree natural mythological site restricted site quarry ochre quarry fish trap stone arrangement mound (oven) mia mia waterhole (well) contact/mission abraded grooves Aboriginal Place (declared under NPW Act) Aboriginal Area (declared under NPW Act) protected archaeological site Conservation agreement massacre reserve |
cultural significance may include: | aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations significance embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects |
Aboriginal beliefs may refer to | connection to Country creation events structure of Community such as lore/law men and women, elders and custodians practicality and purpose appropriate behaviour, protocols and restrictions spiritual value of knowledge and stories communal ownership of some knowledge and material intergenerational ownership of some knowledge and material oral tradition of passing on knowledge and responsibilities roles as custodians of specified knowledge, ceremony, designs, information kinship and relationships storytelling |
Relevant experts may include | archaeologists Traditional Owners and/or Elders surveyors anthropologists environmental scientists historians researchers |
Aboriginal-sites work
This unit contains employability skills
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.