This unit applies to mustering pest animals and is usually conducted within established routines, methods and procedures.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Assess the scope of the mustering job

1.1. Target pest animal range and behaviour are confirmed.

1.2. Location for the muster is determined.

1.3. Time required to complete the muster is estimated.

1.4. Hazards associated with the muster are identified according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards.

1.5. Environmental risks associated with the mustering job are identified according to statutory and local authority requirements.

1.6. Resources required to complete the muster are identified.

2. Prepare for mustering

2.1. Location and boundaries for the muster are mapped to be consistent with the target pest animal behaviour and according to the pest animal management strategy and monitoring program.

2.2. Time and duration of the muster are checked and relevant personnel notified.

2.3. Precautions to minimise hazards associated with muster are identified according to OHS standards.

2.4. Precautions to minimise environmental risks associated with the muster job are identified according to statutory and local authority requirements.

2.5. Vehicles, equipment and materials are checked for serviceability according to manufacturer specifications and relevant policies.

2.6. Central point of muster is established and agreed with all participants.

2.7. Holding yards are set up.

2.8. Horses and dogs, where used in the muster, are checked for fitness.

3. Muster pest animals

3.1. Muster is conducted at the appropriate time of day.

3.2. Actions are taken to minimise stress to animals during the muster.

3.3. Water and feed are provided to mustered animals and horses and dogs where they have been used in the muster.

3.4. Animals are treated in accordance with the Code of Practice for Care, Handling and Capture of Feral Animals.

3.5. Mustered animals are held, transported or destroyed according to enterprise guidelines.

4. Clean and store equipment and material

4.1. Animals used during the muster are cared for according to industry practices.

4.2. Equipment and materials are cleaned and stored according to relevant standards and policies.

4.3. Job completion is reported or recorded according to relevant policies and procedures.

Required skills

identify hazards and adopt safe work practices

assess the scope of the mustering job

prepare for mustering

conduct mustering operations

clean and store equipment and materials

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

OHS, environmental and pest management legislative and enterprise requirements

common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence

risks to land users posed by pest animals, including exotic diseases and zoonoses

pest animal life cycles and behaviours

animal welfare codes of practice

emergency procedures related to work in isolated and remote areas.

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 evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

confirm the species and type of pest animals to be mustered

plan the muster to optimise the catch and minimise stress and risk of breakouts of pest animals

carry out safe mustering as part of a team

handle and process mustered animals

collect equipment and ensure environmental impacts of mustering are minimised.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

kangaroos

goats

horses

deer

camels

cattle

water buffalos

donkeys.

Unit sector

Vertebrate pests

This unit contains employability skills.