ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Explain accreditation and registration requirements

1.1 Current and comprehensive information is accessed to clarify legislative, regulatory and procedural requirements for accreditation of rail transport operators, exemptions, variations to accreditation, notifications of change and registration of private sidings.

1.2 Information relating to accreditation, accreditation processes and registration requirements is provided in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures/guidelines.

1.3 Information relating to possible exemptions is provided in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures/guidelines.

1.4 Information relating to notification of change requirements is provided in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures/guidelines.

2. Receive, assess and determine applications, and review notifications of change

2.1 Application requirements are identified and confirmed for accreditation, exemptions, variations to accreditation, notifications of change or registration of private sidings.

2.2 Key criteria for granting accreditation, variations to accreditation and issuing notices, and steps for assessment of applications are identified and confirmed, including requirements for liaison with other regulators.

2.3 Applications and supporting documents are checked for adequacy and completeness in accordance with accreditation or registration requirements, details are verified, and further information is obtained as necessary.

2.4 Applications are recorded and assessed in accordance with legislative timeframes and procedures/guidelines.

2.5 Evidence supporting the assessment and decision is clearly documented in accordance with legislative requirements and procedures/guidelines.

3. Issue notices

3.1 Accreditation notices and schedules are prepared and issued in accordance with legislation, policies and business rules.

3.2 Reasons for decisions to impose conditions on or restrictions to accreditation are provided in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures/guidelines, along with information on applicants' rights for independent review of the decisions.

3.3 Frequency of reviews and reports for the operator is identified and included in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.

3.4 Notices of registration are issued in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.

3.5 Annual fees and their due date are specified in accordance with regulatory requirements.

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

Required skills:

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

analysing and assessing complex and formal documents, such as legislation and supporting materials and applying them to the assessment of applications

researching information related to accreditation or registration requirements

planning and organising work

analysing applications and supporting evidence against relevant criteria and using initiative to identify and request additional information if required

communicating with others, involving the explanation of complex information relating to regulatory requirements

documenting decisions, writing submissions and recommendations, and preparing notices

numeracy to confirm accuracy of numerical information

self-management to work ethically and in accordance with legislation

using technology to conduct research, make enquiries, review available data, access legislative requirements and record outcomes

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

applying environmental and occupational health and safety procedures to administrative work and when dealing with applicants

Required knowledge:

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

legislative, regulatory and procedural requirements for accreditation, exemptions, variations, notifications of change and registration of private sidings

circumstances under which some or all accreditation requirements may be waived

safety management systems and rail safety management plans

confidentiality requirements

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

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

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of employability skills as they relate to this unit

assessing and administering accreditation in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when assessing and administering accreditation and registration applications, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

Resources essential for assessment include:

legislation and standards relating to the accreditation of railway operators and registration of private sidings

national templates and business rules for accreditation

organisational procedures/guidelines and protocols relating to the administration of accreditation applications

scenarios and/or case studies to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when assessing and administering applications

access to relevant systems

Method of assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit of competency must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

demonstration

observation

simulation or role plays

case studies/scenarios

workplace projects

portfolios

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.

Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy demands and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Suggested units that may be co-assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPPOL502A Advise on organisation policy

PUAPOL010A Perform administrative duties

PUAPOL013A Create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships.

Guidance information for assessment

For consistency of assessment:

evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

Assessing employability skills:

employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors

the way these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts

employability skills embedded in this unit of competency should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skills set or qualification, and in the context of the job role

In practice, assessing and administering accreditation and registration applications overlaps with other generalist or specialist work activities, such as acting ethically, using complex communication strategies, advising on organisation policy, performing administrative duties, and maintaining productive working relationships. Co-assessment with units of competency addressing these other activities could be considered

The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.

Accreditation:

ensures that railway operators have the competency, capacity and systems to safely manage their railway operations and is based on the underlying principle of hazard identification and adequate risk management

is usually granted for an unlimited period of time, however time limits on accreditation may be imposed in some circumstances

Variations to accreditation apply when:

accredited railway operators propose to implement changes to the scope and nature of their railway operations, not covered by their current accreditation

Notification of change must occur for:

decisions to design or construct rolling stock or new railway tracks (as soon as is reasonably practicable [ASAIRP])

introducing a new type of rolling stock into service (28 days prior)

making changes to a safety critical element of rolling stock (28 days prior)

introducing a new type of rail infrastructure into service (28 days prior)

changes to design standards for rail infrastructure or rolling stock (28 days prior)

deciding to adopt new design standards for rail infrastructure or rolling stock (28 days prior)

changes to the frequency or procedures for inspection or maintenance of rail infrastructure or rolling stock (28 days prior)

changes to any safeworking system rule or procedure (28 days prior)

decision to introduce a new safeworking system rule or procedure (ASAIRP)

replacing the nominated contact person for regulator queries (ASAIRP)

Registration of private sidings:

is a simpler process than accreditation

is required for private sidings that are connected to or have access to the tracks of an accredited rail transport operator

includes an interface agreement with the accredited operator of the railway to which their siding connects

Private sidings:

are sidings managed, owned or controlled by one party which are connected to, or have access to, rail infrastructure managed by another party

do not include marshalling yards, crossing loops, or passenger or freight terminals

do not include a siding, or a siding of a class, prescribed by the regulations not to be a private siding

are exempt from accreditation, but may have conditions imposed on their registration

Information relating to accreditation may include:

purpose of accreditation

legislative authority for accreditation

eligibility for accreditation

application requirements

exemptions for some or all accreditation requirements

variations to accreditation

criteria for assessment

application fees for accreditation, if applicable

conditions attached to existing accreditation

right of review/appeal against accreditation decisions

Exemptions may be granted:

for some or all accreditation requirements (Note: this is not an exemption from the need to be accredited)

in accordance with legislation

Application requirements include:

name and contact details of the applicant

scope and nature of railway operations

safety management plan for railway operations

whether an applicant is accredited or has applied for accreditation in another state or territory

description of operational assets and safeworking systems

evidence of the right to manage the infrastructure and/or rolling stock

evidence of consultation during development of the safety management system

details of contractors

endorsement by the applicant's governing body

application fee

Key criteria for granting accreditation include evidence:

that the applicant is a rail infrastructure manager or rolling stock operator in relation to the railway operations for which accreditation is sought

of competency and capacity to manage risks to safety and implement the proposed safety management system

of financial capacity or public risk insurance arrangements to meet reasonable potential accident liabilities

of meeting the consultation requirements of the legislation in relation to the safety management system

of satisfying legislative requirement

Supporting documents may include:

description of the scope and nature of railway operations, including all elements of railway infrastructure and rolling stock

description of the safety management system, or rail safety management plan and evidence of consultation during development

details of operational assets and safeworking systems

evidence of current or previous accreditation

evidence of accreditation in another state or territory

endorsement by the applicant's governing body

evidence of effective management and control of relevant railway infrastructure or rolling stock movements

details of contractors who will carry out railway operations on behalf of the applicant

evidence of financial capacity and/or liability insurance arrangements

details of safety interface agreements

Accreditation requirements include:

safety management system or rail safety management plan that effectively controls the risks associated with carrying out railway operations

competency and capacity to implement and comply with the safety management system or rail safety management plan

payment of applicable accreditation fees

Registration requirements include:

systems and procedures to ensure safety

maintaining a risk register and keeping it up-to-date

documented procedures for maintenance of rail infrastructure

compliance with any conditions imposed by the regulator

interface agreements and coordination plans for interfaces with accredited railways

maintaining a register of interface coordination plans

payment of applicable registration fees

Schedules include:

railway operations - rail infrastructure (Schedule 1)

railway operations - rolling stock (Schedule 2)

Business rules may include:

National Business Rules for Uniform Administration of Accreditation

national templates for accreditation notices

use of specified terms to describe railway operations

Reasons may include that conditions are:

prescribed by legislation

imposed to indicate the limits of competency and capacity demonstrated by the accredited person at a local jurisdictional level

imposed because the programs of work required are judged to be material to the competency and capacity required for the management of risks to safety associated with the subject railway operations

imposed to indicate the permissions sought by applicant

Conditions may relate to:

intensity of railway operations

time of operation - daylight, night time or between specific hours

type of infrastructure being managed, e.g. whether track is electrified

type of traction to be used in relation to rolling stock

services or aspects of services, or specific railway operations to be undertaken

performance of specific safety management initiatives or projects by specified deadlines

changes to operations

Reviews and reports include:

safety management system reviews conducted annually, or more or less frequently, as determined by the regulator

regular safety performance reports