This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to research information on Australia and local regions for presentation to customers. It requires broad general knowledge of Australia plus some regional and location-specific knowledge. It highlights the need for ongoing research to update and expand knowledge.

This unit applies to all guides regardless of the context in which they work. Wherever guides are located or travel, they must maintain and expand their general knowledge base as a key professional development activity. In this context, they work independently or under limited guidance from others.

No 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:

undertake research and develop a series of six individual presentations for use in a guiding activity

individual presentations must:

demonstrate broad knowledge of subject area

use credible and reliable sources of information

relate to different subject areas from the aspects of Australia in general and specific aspects of local region listed in the knowledge evidence

incorporate interpretive themes and messages that may be adapted to the needs of different groups

organise information in a logical and suitable manner for presentation.

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

role of interpretation in creating a powerful customer experience

information sources frequently used by guides:

artworks

events

exhibitions

experiences (of self or others)

films

images

internet

music

other people:

local experts

traditional owners

performances

presentations

professional associations

printed texts:

books

journals

magazines

newspapers

technical information

aspects of Australia in general and specific aspects of local region covering:

agriculture (Australia’s history as a primary producer, key products of Australia, current issues, past and current agricultural aspects of the local region)

architecture (key buildings, their heritage and current use, and structures both in Australia and the local area)

art, theatre, music and literature (key Australian performers, writers and artists, major works by Australians and major cultural events)

climate (weather patterns, including any extreme conditions, impact of climate on lifestyle and stories associated with climate in a local area)

cultural elements (overview of Indigenous cultures within Australia, different cultures within Australia and the local area, cultural activities and local customs)

current events in Australia and the local region

economy (overview of current state of the economy, and key features of the local economy and local industry)

education (overview of school and higher education systems and comparison of systems to those of other countries or states)

flora and fauna (overview of native flora and fauna, their characteristics and key locations)

food (local dishes and produce)

geography and geology (major land formations, landmarks, natural attractions and their key features for both Australia and the local region)

government and politics (general structure, political parties, major political figures, and current federal, state and local political issues)

history (historical development of Australia and the local region, major historical events and prominent individuals, key dates and overview of Australian Indigenous history)

lifestyle (key features of the day-to-day living patterns of Australians and local people, and family and social customs)

natural environment and tourism (how the environment is a tourism asset, impacts of tourism on the environment, and land management in Australia including the role of national parks)

religion (religious make-up of Australia and the local area, and aspects of religious practices)

science and technology (Australia’s contribution both past and present, prominent individuals and key discoveries)

shopping (key locations and local products)

sport (main Australian sporting activities, Australia’s sporting record, local sporting focus, sporting facilities and sporting comparisons with other countries or areas)

trade (key exports and main trading partners)

transport (main transport systems, usage of different forms of transport across Australia, and current transport within the local region)

tourism services and local facilities of interest to visitors (currency exchange locations, tour booking offices, accommodation, attractions, banks, dry cleaners and medical facilities)

wine (Australian wine styles, major wine areas, specific wine areas and wines produced within the local region)

methods used to organise information:

chronologies

customer profiles:

interest profiles for particular age groups and nationalities

special interest groups

specific touring route or location information

storylines

themes or character based note.

Skills must be demonstrated in an operational guiding environment. This can be:

an industry workplace where research is conducted to update industry knowledge on aspects of Australia in general and specific aspects of the local region

a simulated industry environment or activity involving a research activity to update industry knowledge of aspects of Australia in general and specific aspects of the local region.

Assessment must ensure access to:

current sources of information as listed in the knowledge evidence

equipment used to source, record and store information:

computer and software

internet

data storage equipment.

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