Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply control techniques for pest animals, in compliance with a pest management plan.
Control techniques may involve the use of vertebrate pesticides, traps, cages, lures and firearms with the animal humanely destroyed in accordance with industry guidelines or protocols.
This unit applies to individuals who work within a pest management program, under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work.
Some forms of traps are strictly regulated in some States and Territories in Australia. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory authority.
Firearm licensing conditions will apply if firearms are used for the destruction of animals. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory. In this case, appropriate firearms licences are also required for those involved in training and assessment of this unit.
Pest animal control techniques must comply with state animal cruelty legislation. In addition to legal responsibilities, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
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. Prepare for control | 1.1 Identify control techniques to be used in the pest management plan 1.2 Identify and minimise risks associated with the control technique and apply appropriate precautions including personal protective equipment 1.3 Identify hazards and minimise risks that could adversely impact on the environment including public health during the control, and apply appropriate precautions 1.4 Select and check materials, equipment and vehicles required 1.5 Clean, calibrate and prepare equipment 1.6 Identify environmental and welfare risks associated with animals and determine precautions to minimise these risks. 1.7 Obtain relevant permissions to enter property and follow appropriate notification plan for all stakeholders 1.8 Prepare timeline for pest control operation according to industry best practise or protocols |
2. Implement control | 2.1 Identify target animal sign 2.2 Select site to maximise impact of control methods on target animals and minimise the impact on non-target animals. 2.3 Confirm predetermined control technique is appropriate for target pest, site, current conditions and timing of control 2.4 Follow work health and safety procedures for carrying out control activities 2.5 Place required signage and apply required notifications 2.6 Follow control timelines for control technique 2.7 Apply precautions to prevent injury or harm to humans and non-target animals 2.8 Use appropriate data sheets or other recording instruments to record details 2.9 Inspect site at the required times and frequency relevant for local conditions 2.10 Humanely destroy animals using firearms, where necessary |
3. Complete the control work | 3.1 Ensure all equipment, baited or destroyed animals and unused baits are removed and accounted for 3.2 Restore site to its prior condition 3.3 Clean, maintain and store equipment and materials 3.4 Report results of control activities, including any incidents with non-target animals |
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 target and non-target animals
check vehicles, select appropriate equipment and materials for serviceability and clean equipment before starting and on completing the job
select and prepare the control site and restore it on completion of the job
position, set, calibrate and regularly check equipment
if firearms are required, select appropriateness of firearm and calibre and check its accuracy
identify lures or baits that may be required
prepare baits and poisons as required
identify appropriate location for controls
account for all, and remove controls within specified timeframes
record details of control activities to comply with enterprise and legislative requirements
summarise and present control data to supervisor
comply with all relevant legislative requirements
apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work
apply appropriate animal welfare and environmental best practices in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures
the purpose and scope of the animal control program
suitable control techniques and timing of control activities based on:
the target animal's range, movement patterns, behaviour and habitats
the reproductive cycle of the target animal
target animal behaviours and biology relevant to control technique
food preferences, both general and local, of target animals
scent station and other animal tracks and traces
target pests and non-target native animals found in the area
the environment and terrain of the target area
appropriate calibre of firearm required to humanely destroy target animals
humane destruction procedures, including capture and kill points for target animals
permissions and protocols that may be required
precautions that need to be taken to minimise harm to non-target animals
work health and safety procedures that relate to animal control activities
recording and reporting requirements
procedures for use and recording of baits and poisons, if used
application of relevant legislation to pest animal control activities
suitable personal protective equipment
transportation methods for captured animals, where this forms part of the control activities
Assessment Conditions
If firearms are used to destroy animals then the assessment team must hold firearms licences.
Assessors must satisfy 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
Pest Management (PMG)