AHCASW501
Survey and report on Aboriginal cultural sites


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to survey and report on 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 and 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. Identify, communicate and consult with key stakeholders

1.1 Work with cultural authorities to identify appropriate persons within Communities who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the cultural significance of Aboriginal places and heritage

1.2 Develop and implement communication and consultation systems that place Aboriginal cultural protocols and values at the forefront and accommodate stakeholder concerns and interests

1.3 Confirm traditional ownership of Aboriginal sites, cultural material, and objects

1.4 Ensure approval and permissions are obtained from relevant Traditional Owners and Cultural managers for work to be carried out and for access to the Aboriginal site for the specific persons who will conduct work

1.5 Complete any necessary submissions for conducting Aboriginal cultural sites surveys

1.6 Develop working relationships with key stakeholders that assist in the management of culturally significant places

1.7 Scope and document client needs for deliverables required in a formal sites survey report

1.8 Manage planning and assessment processes, ensuring they are in accordance with the Burra Charter process and other existing industry guidelines and legislation

2. Manage collection of initial site data

2.1 Source and verify site plans and maps including topographical maps

2.2 Identify and acquire required resources

2.3 Prepare a base plan of the site

2.4 Undertake site orientation and define and verify location, geographic and operational boundaries

2.5 Identify and record current land use and environmental problems and threats

2.6 Identify and record covenants that could affect the site or report

2.7 Ascertain climate and weather conditions from historical data

3. Compile a site inventory

3.1 Categorise and record site context, location and site information data

3.2 Categorise and record features data

3.3 Identify and record cultural material, objects, properties and relevant physical characteristics on site inventory according to archaeological or scientific protocols

3.4 Undertake relevant field research in accordance with safe work policies and procedures

3.5 Implement appropriate techniques and tools and relevant archaeological practices and procedures

3.6 Locate structural elements and confirm existing services and facilities

3.7 Record the presence, location and/or extent of other relevant site constraints

3.8 Develop limits of acceptable change in the forms of deterioration and damage to the places of cultural significance to legislative and enterprise requirements

4. Review, assess and record the site data

4.1 Engage relevant expertise and consultant services when required

4.2 Conduct an assessment of cultural significance

4.3 Document a statement of cultural significance

5. Determine the impact of threats to the site

5.1 Identify threats to culturally significant places, both external and internal to the area under consideration

5.2 Undertake a risk assessment of all threats to determine potential impact on sites and associated cultural landscape

5.3 Develop and implement risk management strategies and protection/conservation measures to control risks

5.4 Develop and document a risk management report that incorporates an impact analysis

5.5 Document policy changes required to address the threats

6. Document a site survey report

6.1 Document site information into a site assessment report or site survey report

6.2 Incorporate all relevant data from the site assessment into assessment report in line with client needs and the requirements of relevant legislation and regulations

6.3 Provide and record specific recommendations for remedial action of site conservation and mitigation of site problems

6.4 Formulate and document recommendations for appropriate risk controls of site hazards

6.5 Store and maintain survey and assessment data as part of professional practice

6.6 Inform and advise client-stakeholder of the content and implications of the report and present a copy

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 Aboriginal cultural authorities for a Community, place or site

identify key stakeholders to be consulted in relation to owners and custodians of cultural and Community knowledge, information or material and cultural significance

develop and implement consultation processes

survey and assess Aboriginal cultural sites using appropriate techniques, tools and relevant archaeological practices

incorporate the cultural significance, heritage values and conservation issues of an Aboriginal cultural site into report documentation

identify threats and develop controls to mitigate and manage the risk of deterioration, damaging incidents or loss of cultural integrity

prepare a site survey report to meet Community and enterprise needs

complete submissions required to carry out a site survey

observe Aboriginal cultural protocols in dealing with stakeholders and land managers.


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

authentic and authoritative sources for Aboriginal cultural information, material and expression able to be accessed and shared

site survey techniques, procedures and processes

archaeological and scientific research techniques relevant to survey Aboriginal cultural site

monitoring of site including fabric deterioration, damage and likely causes of deterioration and damage

cultural rights and responsibilities when using Community knowledge, information and material

general understanding of impacts of natural resources, such as geological settings, ecological processes, and interaction between natural and cultural processes

provisions in the Australian Natural Heritage Charter and the Burra Charter and Guidelines and how they relate to surveying and reporting on Aboriginal sites

design and methodology of consultation processes

policy analysis and development of impact statements

the range of conservation strategies for cultural areas

data submission systems and reporting requirements

components of Cultural and Heritage Legislation or National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) legislation relevant to surveying Aboriginal cultural sites.


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)