Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain Aboriginal cultural sites.
This unit applies to those working in Aboriginal communities and on Country in cultural landscapes and with cultural sites and objects. 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 Owners or Elders for specific Country. This unit is also applicable to the work of repatriation workers and anthropologists.
This unit applies to all Aboriginal sites workers. However, 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 or materials required to achieve competency in this unit due to restrictions that are applied to non-Aboriginal people gaining access to cultural knowledge, material or sites. In these situations the Registered Training Organisation will be required to make alternative arrangements for learners that are still consistent with the delivery and assessment requirements for this unit.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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. Assess maintenance work requirements and relevant cultural protocols | 1.1 Identify and consult appropriate cultural authorities according to Aboriginal cultural protocols 1.2 Obtain approval and permits from relevant Traditional Owners and Cultural Managers for work to be carried out and for access to cultural site and materials for the specific persons who will conduct work 1.3 Access records of assessment of significance incorporated into strategies and plans for area and site, to determine required and appropriate actions 1.4 Identify any prior works that are not in keeping with cultural practices or causing damage to culturally significant sites or assets and determine appropriate maintenance actions 1.5 Collect information on environmental systems and procedures and provide to the work group where appropriate 1.6 Identify machinery, tools, equipment and materials to carry out maintenance works with appropriate techniques 1.7 Estimate level of work and document materials required for maintenance work 1.8 Identify where traditional Aboriginal repair or maintenance techniques and relevant archaeological practices and procedures are to be used and where modern techniques should be applied |
2. Prepare for maintenance | 2.1 Organise machinery, equipment and materials to carry out maintenance works and undertake pre-maintenance checks 2.2 Prepare and assemble safety equipment and materials 2.3 Identify safety hazards and apply safe work policies and procedures for all maintenance work |
3. Maintain condition of place | 3.1 Undertake maintenance work according to archaeological practices and Aboriginal cultural protocols and approvals and requirements of work programs and in a manner that ensures significance of place is maintained, and that work meets environmental sustainability requirements and does not cause damage to surrounds, fabric or building, or materials 3.2 Apply continuous improvement strategies to own area of responsibility, including communicating ideas and possible solutions to the work group and management 3.3 Support team members to identify possible areas for improved practices in work area on Country 3.4 Report evidence of deterioration and wear to Traditional Owners, Cultural Managers and supervisor 3.5 Record maintenance work according to Aboriginal cultural protocols and approvals and requirements of work programs 3.6 Clean up site on completion of maintenance works according to Aboriginal cultural protocols and supervisor's instructions |
4 Protect cultural place | 4.1 Report any breach of legislation or enterprise regulations to Traditional Owners, Cultural Managers and supervisor 4.2 Maintain protective barriers and signs according to enterprise procedures and Aboriginal cultural practices 4.3 Provide information to workers and contractors to ensure significance of place is maintained, and that work meets environmental sustainability requirements, does not cause damage to surrounds, fabric or building, and materials, equipment and tools are removed at the completion of work |
Evidence of Performance
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 that they can:
identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or for a cultural site
consult with appropriate cultural authorities and obtain informed approval for works and access of specific persons
assess the level of work required to maintain the cultural place
carry out maintenance activities in accordance with organisational, environmental sustainability and Aboriginal cultural requirements
report deterioration or damage to place according to Community protocols and requirements
report incidents of breaches of legislation including vandalism
determine the cultural rights and responsibilities when using Community knowledge, information and material
apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work
ensure sustainability practices are applied by all workers and contractors on site to minimise environmental degradation and deterioration of site.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
workplace health and safety requirements and responsibilities of own role
sustainable environmental practices applicable to maintaining site
traditional and Western modern techniques of site protection appropriate to the site
range of maintenance works undertaken on cultural sites
enterprise procedures for reporting deterioration or damage to place or reporting incidents
site recording systems used by the enterprise or Community
relevant archaeological practices and procedures
Cultural and Heritage Legislation or National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) legislation relevant to maintenance of an Aboriginal site.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must comply with Community protocols and be supported by Elders and Custodians of Country.
Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Aboriginal Sites Work (ASW)