This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to construct commentaries or activities and to use effective interpretation and presentation techniques to ensure customer participation and enjoyment in tours or activities. Guides may be presenting generalist or specialist information.

It is relevant in industries where group tours or activities take place in museums, galleries, libraries, places of historical or cultural significance, performing arts centres or zoos; to sport and recreation industries where groups participate in outdoor and adventure activities, such as guided bushwalking; and to any industry that operates tours for business or promotional purposes.

This unit applies in any context where individuals develop and present commentaries or activities that involve creative approaches to the preparation and delivery of information. Guides of all types working independently with limited supervision undertake this role.

Tour guides, residing anywhere in Australia, are required to undertake training and assessment prescribed by Parks Australia to guide within Kakadu and Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Parks in the Northern Territory.

When working in Queensland, all guides, regardless of their place of residence, are subject to the Queensland Tourism Services Act 2003.

No other occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

prepare and present at least three tour commentaries or activities to different groups of customers, which relate to one of the following subject areas:

arts

built environments

history and heritage

industrial operations

natural environment:

flora

fauna

landscape

social environment

sport or recreation

use interpretive and presentation techniques to present commentaries or activities in a manner that:

is engaging, entertaining and informative

demonstrates knowledge of relevant subject matter

complete above activities within commercial duration and timeframes that reflect local industry product and practice.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

techniques for structuring commentaries and activities

subject matter being presented, which will vary according to context, specified in the performance evidence

role and use of the following presentation and interpretive techniques:

body language

games and activities

humour

positioning

role play

sensory awareness exercises

storytelling

visual aids and props

voice techniques

characteristics of customers that can affect their needs in relation to tour activities:

age

cultural background

educational level

geographic origin

physical factors impacting participation:

hearing impairment

problems with mobility

visual impairment

special interests and requested coverage

appropriate organisational contingency plans to address:

changed access arrangements

customer health, accident or behavioural issues

equipment or system failure

natural environment issues.

Skills must be demonstrated in an operational touring environment that reflects the nature of tours commercially available in the relevant city or region. This can be:

an industry workplace where tour commentaries are prepared and presented

a simulated activity or role play where tour commentaries are prepared and presented.

Assessment must ensure access to:

sources of information to prepare commentaries or activities

organisational specifications:

running sheets for tours and activities

incident report templates

passenger lists

real or simulated touring activities

microphone

props and signage

customer groups of a size and nature that reflect the commercial environment in which the guide operates

participants undertaking a tour or activity for whom the individual can act as guide; participants can be:

those participating in a tour or activity who interact with the individual during the assessment process; or

individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities set up for the purpose of assessment in an operational touring context.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors; and:

have worked in industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.

Tourism

Guiding