This unit of competency supports the work of those involved in inspecting property.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify inspection requirements.

1.1 Purpose and type of inspection are established from property records according to client and organisational requirements.

1.2 Inspection processes and time lines are negotiated and agreed with relevant people according to organisational requirements.

1.3 Property documentation and legislative requirements are specified, gathered and reviewed to identify critical aspects requiring inspection.

1.4 Access arrangements are coordinated with relevant people according to organisational requirements.

2Inspect property.

2.1 Property is inspected according to industry and organisational requirements, ensuring all relevant aspects of the property are sighted and noted.

2.2 Inspections are conducted in a reliable manner according to organisational requirements and efficient use of available time and resources.

2.3 Appropriate interpersonal techniques are used to access relevant information from inspection site personnel.

2.4 Variations in compliance with approved requirements are recognised and noted according to organisational and legislative requirements.

2.5 Situations requiring specialist advice are identified and assistance is sought as required according to organisational requirements.

3Record and report inspection findings.

3.1 Inspection findings are organised in a format suitable for analysis and dissemination according to client and organisational requirements.

3.2 Inspection conclusions are supported by verifiable evidence and are consistent with relevant legislative and organisational requirements.

3.3 Business equipment and technology are used to maintain relevant documentation according to applicable OHS, legislative and organisational requirements.

3.4 Inspection report is distributed to relevant people according to client and organisational requirements.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

communication skills to complete documentation, report findings, interpret written and oral information, and negotiate client requirements and access arrangements

computing skills to access the internet and web pages, prepare and complete online forms, lodge electronic documents and search online databases

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

observation skills to assess condition of property

organisational skills to plan and arrange a property inspection and schedule and meet time lines

technical skills to interpret such things as maps, plans and diagrams.

Required knowledge and understanding:

basic knowledge of property contracts and administrative requirements

Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements

inspection methods for different property types

limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities

OHS issues and requirements

organisational and professional procedures, ethical practices and business standards

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and local government regulations related to:

anti-discrimination

consumer protection

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity (EEO)

financial probity

franchise and business structures

industrial relations

OHS

property sales, leasing and management

types of property classes and characteristics.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed through practical demonstration of inspecting a property. Targeted written (including alternative formats where necessary) or verbal questioning to assess the candidate's underpinning knowledge would provide additional supporting evidence of competence. The demonstration and questioning would include collecting evidence of the candidate's knowledge and application of ethical standards and relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and regulations. This assessment may be carried out in a simulated or workplace environment.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

conducting and completing a property inspection within agreed timeframes and in compliance with all applicable industry, legal and organisational requirements

applying effective communication and coordination techniques required to access property and organise inspection

knowledge of agency practices, ethical standards and legislative requirements associated with property inspections

complying with established inspection processes, noting variations in approved property requirements, and preparing findings in a report suitable for analysis and dissemination.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to suitable simulated or real opportunities and resources to demonstrate competence

assessment instruments that may include personal planner and assessment record book

access to a registered provider of assessment services.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence require that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice with a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be current and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in such a manner as is appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Type of inspection may be:

at change of use

at development stage

irregular

periodic

planned

related to a complaint

related to illegal works or usage

statutory.

Client may include:

agent

building supervisor

government and legal instrument and agency

project manager

property agent

property owner

tenant.

Organisational requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

access and equity principles and practice guidelines

business and performance plans

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

legal and ethical requirements and codes of practice

mission statements and strategic plans

OHS policies, procedures and programs

policies and procedures in relation to client service

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

quality assurance and procedure manuals.

Inspection processes may relate to:

statutory limitations

complexity of construction

timeframes

type of construction

type of job.

Relevant people may include:

clients

colleagues

legal representatives

members of industry associations

site personnel

supervisors.

Property documentation may include:

agreements

building codes

checklists

contracts

licences

permits

plans

previous inspection reports

specifications.

Legislative requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

Australian standards, and quality assurance and certification requirements

award and enterprise agreements

codes of practice, which may cover areas including market sector, financial transactions, taxation, environment, construction, land use, native title, zoning, utilities use (water, gas and electricity), and contract or common law

home building requirements

privacy requirements

relevant federal, and state or territory legislation that affects organisational operation, including:

anti-discrimination and diversity

environmental issues

EEO

industrial relations

OHS

strata, community and company titles

tenancy agreements

trade practices.

Interpersonal techniques may relate to:

active listening

clear presentation of options

constructive feedback

culturally inclusive and sensitive engagement techniques

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

two-way interaction

use of language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

verbal or non-verbal language.

Inspection site may include:

alterations

dangerous structures

environmental conditions

existing buildings

land or structures

multiple locations

new buildings

ruinous structures.

Specialist advice may be sought from:

builders

colleagues

government officials

managers and supervisors

members of industry associations

planners

subcontractors

technical experts

valuers.

Verifiable evidence may include:

inspection checklists, records and notes

qualitative and quantitative data

visual assessment of physical and aesthetic aspects of property.

Business equipment and technology may include:

computers

data storage devices

email

facsimile machines

internet, extranet and intranet

photocopiers

printers and scanners

software applications, such as databases and word applications.

Unit sector

Property development, sales and management

Property operations and development

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.