Application
This unit describes the skills required to conduct military searches of areas, routes, vehicles, buildings, property and people to find items of equipment and other material intended to cause harm to individuals and groups and destroy or damage property. It includes detecting, identifying and reporting the presence of any weapon, device or other object intended to cause harm and taking measures to prevent and/or minimise any loss or damage to persons or property. On detecting a device the individual is not responsible for ongoing management of the incident or rendering the device safe.
This unit was developed for those working as combat arms personnel in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work as part of a team under direct and/or indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs. They would perform specific tasks in a broad range of contexts that could be highly unpredictable.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Prepare for search operations | 1.1 Identify purpose, timing, environment and type of search from supervisor. 1.2 Establish and maintain the location of other individuals engaged in the search. 1.3 Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment. 1.4 Identify, obtain, inspect and test tools and search equipment appropriate to the type of search and report any faults. 1.5 Deploy to an incident site or search area. 1.6 Coordinate the preparation of the search site and the conduct of searches with other agencies. |
2. Search buildings, structures, property, vehicles, equipment, personnel and the environment | 2.1 Erect barriers and signs, as required, to slow down or stop pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic and to direct them to checkpoints for search. 2.2 Carry out search drills/procedures applicable to the type of search. 2.3 Identify presence of unauthorised personnel and/or suspect items and material. 2.4 Secure unauthorised personnel and/or suspect items or take other relevant action. 2.5 Protect potential evidence and/or other items or material of interest from contamination, improper handling or removal. 2.6 Record information and complete reports. |
3. Maintain and clean site and equipment | 3.1 Return any items removed from suspects or the area for further examination in the condition found. 3.2 Conduct periodic and routine maintenance of equipment. 3.3 Identify and report faulty/defective equipment. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
selecting and using items of equipment appropriate to the type of search and the environment
employing correct search drills and procedures for personnel and property
protecting evidence
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
WHS requirements
policies and procedures, government legislation and international conventions related to conducting searches
safety and security of persons and property during searches
duty of care
teamwork principles and strategies
techniques for supporting others
composition of teams and roles and responsibilities of team members
verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including language style, active listening
written communication to a level required to complete workplace forms and reports
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Military Skills