This unit applies to individuals working as a customs broker. Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant Customs and related legislation and workplace requirements concerning specialist permit requirements. Work is undertaken in a range of environments including small to large worksites in the custom broking and international freight forwarding industries. Work at this level is performed under supervision, generally within a collaborative team environment.

This unit is normally packaged at AQF II or above.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify required permits

1.1 Goods requiring permits are identified

1.2 Correct permits are identified for import/export of goods

1.3 Goods and commodities restricted/prohibited for import/export under the laws of Australia and other countries are identified

2Assess permit applications

2.1 Permit application process is understood and followed by the applicant

2.2 Specialist expertise is engaged to clarify permit application process as required

2.3 Information required for permit application is gathered and documented

2.4 Other required documentation is identified and gathered

2.5 Liaison is undertaken with client as required to facilitate completion of permit application

2.6 Permit application is checked

2.7 Permit application and other required documentation is lodged

2.8 Client is kept informed about the application process and progress

3Facilitate gaining of permits

3.1 Problems arising with application are identified and addressed

3.2 Negotiations and discussions are entered into with clients, relevant personnel and permit issuing authorities to facilitate issuing of permits

3.3 Approved applications are reviewed to ensure compliance with client requirements

3.4 Permit requirements are communicated to clients

3.5 Application and permit documentation is stored in accordance with workplace and relevant regulatory requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Customs, quarantine and other legislation relevant to the application of specialist permit requirements, including the Prohibited Import Regulations, Prohibited Export Regulations, Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code and relevant wildlife conservation quarantine or other legislative requirements

Relevant sections of national and state or territory regulatory requirements and codes of practice

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Workplace procedures and policies for the application of specialist permit requirements

Relevant specialist permit procedures and guidelines

Requirements for completing relevant documentation

Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating systems for the application of specialist permit requirements

Problems that may occur when applying specialist permit requirements and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

Code of practice for working collaboratively with others

Steps involved in planning work activities

Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Procedures for managing and controlling hazardous situations when carrying out work activities

Required skills:

Negotiate, communicate and liaise effectively with customers and others when completing work activities

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relevant to the specialist permit requirements

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to work activities

Select and use relevant computer/communication/office equipment when applying specialist permit requirements

Work collaboratively as part of a customs broking/freight forwarding team

Plan and organise work activities when applying specialist permit requirements

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Modify activities depending on differing workplace contexts, risk situations and environments, including taking appropriate initiatives within allowable limits

Solve problems that may arise when applying specialist permit requirements

Present information using appropriate media and technology

Identify, interpret and learn skills and knowledge required for new developments in relevant permit requirements

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:

identifying required permits

facilitating the gaining of permits

communicating and negotiating with customers and agencies responsible for the issuing of permits

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Restricted/prohibited goods/commodities subject to quarantine and wildlife conservation regulations or other regulatory and/or permit requirements may include:

livestock

flora and fauna

wines and spirits

specified horticultural products

plant and animal products from countries with known diseases, viruses and other contagious pathogens

commodities containing ozone-depleting substances

therapeutic goods and complementary medicines

hazardous waste

heritage and cultural items

dangerous goods, explosives, firearms and ammunition

imported foods

industrial chemicals

goods and materials that may be used to construct explosives or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

other commodities subject to Australian and overseas government regulations and requiring specialist permits

Information on relevant aspects of specialist permit requirements may include:

wildlife conservation requirements, such as:

wildlife conservation in Australia

international treaties for wildlife conservation

export/import regulations for wildlife

permit validation for exports to the USA

acquittals and specimen export records (SER)

quarantine permit requirements, such as:

quarantine treatment

AQIS approved premises

cargo clearance

pests and diseases

plant quarantine

animal quarantine

plant and animal exports

other specialist permit requirements, such as:

wines and spirits

prescribed amounts of cash

commodities containing ozone-depleting substances

requirements for Therapeutic Goods Administration Permits (TGP))

hazardous waste

heritage and cultural items

dangerous goods, explosives, firearms, ammunition, and chemical, biological and radioactive weapons materials and components and other prohibited imports and exports

imported food program and permit regulations

requirements of the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)

regulations and permits pertaining to goods and materials that may be used to construct explosives or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

dual use goods covered by the WMD Act

Agencies from which permits may be obtained may include:

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

Australian Custom Service

Department of the Environment Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA)

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Department of Health and Ageing

Department of Defence

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australian Federal Police

Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation

Health Insurance Commission

Wheat Export Authority

Attorney Generals Department

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Local Government

Checks made during permit application may include:

accuracy checks

checks for missing information

checks for unfulfilled requirements

whether supplementary documents are required

Depending on the organisation concerned, workplace procedures may be called:

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Communication in the work area may include:

phone

electronic data interchange (EDI)

fax

email

internet

RF systems

oral, aural or signed communications

Consultative processes may involve:

other employees and supervisors

suppliers of specialist permits

relevant authorities and institutions

management and union representatives

industrial relations and OH&S specialists

Documentation and records may include:

regulations and codes of practice relevant to import and export procedures

relevant OH&S and environmental protection regulations

workplace policies and procedures related to specialist permit requirements

quality assurance procedures

emergency procedures

operations manuals, job specifications and induction documentation

dangerous goods declarations and material safety data sheets, where applicable

goods manifest

relevant Australian Standards and certification requirements

other government documentation covering regulated trade (including online)

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

relevant codes and regulations for the issuing of specialist permits

Customs and related legislation

export/import/quarantine/bond requirements

Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

other Australian legislation relating to restrictions and prohibitions on imports and exports and related permit requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S and environmental protection legislation

Customs Act 1901

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

workplace relations regulations

equal opportunity legislation

equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation

workers compensation regulations

This unit contains employability skills.