Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:05 PM AWST
22/07/2026 5:05 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Manage a high ropes course
Manage a high ropes course
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCRP506A
SISOCRP506A
State Code
D6327
D6327
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage and maintain a challenge high ropes course, including linked courses and courses with independent elements, where belay systems are used to keep participants safe. This unit does not cover the training of staff.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine course operational procedures.
- 1.1. Establish procedures for the use of the course, including training of staff and verification and maintenance of staff skills.
- 1.2. Implement mechanisms to inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and procedures.
- 1.3. Identify and document safety and emergency procedures and equipment required for use at the site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Develop vertical rescue techniques and procedures for a variety of scenarios.
- 1.5. Determine and document risks and hazards associated with individual elements and eliminate or reduce where possible.
- 1.6. Determine the impact of course installation on the conduct of activities and maintenance procedures.
2. Conduct course maintenance.
- 2.1. Determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures for monitoring compliance by individual course users.
- 2.2. Document course maintenance procedures, after consultation with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists.
- 2.3. Conduct regular course maintenance according to operational procedures, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.4. Identify common problems with the natural environment surrounding the challenge ropes course and implement strategies to deal with or reduce the problem.
- 2.5. Refer maintenance and repair beyond personal ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists.
- 2.6. Establish procedures for recording and reporting checks on elements and hardware.
3. Select equipment for use in high ropes courses.
- 3.1. Select pulleys according to common practices for ropes course installation, operational procedures and organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.2. Select harnesses based on contextual issues.
- 3.3. Identify factors affecting the use of karabiners and rapid links in different situations.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permissions for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
common practices for the installation of challenge ropes courses in Australia
warranty requirements
working load limits and tension formula
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
recording and reporting procedures
operational procedures for specific high ropes course
code of ethics.
Course maintenance may include:
tightening nuts
covering wire rope ends
re-tensioning ropes
trimming of tree branches
tree hazard assessment
removal of other hazards
checking of anchors, belay systems and back up wires.
Problems may include:
tree disease
falling branches
soil compaction
unauthorised use
fauna.
Strategies may include:
use of mulch and or soft fall material
moving elements
resting areas and not using elements
signage
fencing.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Factors may include:
requirement for locking
rope wear when passing over small diameter karabiners or rapid links versus use of shear reduction pulleys
need for steel versus alloy
preferred item for use in belay systems or for use for attaching to pulleys.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permissions for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
common practices for the installation of challenge ropes courses in Australia
warranty requirements
working load limits and tension formula
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
recording and reporting procedures
operational procedures for specific high ropes course
code of ethics.
Course maintenance may include:
tightening nuts
covering wire rope ends
re-tensioning ropes
trimming of tree branches
tree hazard assessment
removal of other hazards
checking of anchors, belay systems and back up wires.
Problems may include:
tree disease
falling branches
soil compaction
unauthorised use
fauna.
Strategies may include:
use of mulch and or soft fall material
moving elements
resting areas and not using elements
signage
fencing.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Factors may include:
requirement for locking
rope wear when passing over small diameter karabiners or rapid links versus use of shear reduction pulleys
need for steel versus alloy
preferred item for use in belay systems or for use for attaching to pulleys.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
conducts thorough routine inspections of high ropes course and surrounding area and applies safe installation techniques, practices and hardware
develops and reviews operational procedures for the set up, operation and maintenance of high ropes courses, including rescue procedures
devises methods of promptly informing course users and facilitators of changes made to elements and procedures and outlines staffing and training requirements for a high ropes course
documents safety and emergency procedures required for use at the site and aims, risks and spotting techniques appropriate for each element
consults with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists to determine course maintenance procedures where required.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure application of detailed knowledge of high ropes course elements and maintenance requirements to develop and review comprehensive procedures.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a minimum of two different high ropes courses, each with a minimum of five elements,
equipment required for the maintenance of a high ropes course
challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists, where required
resources such as relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to assist in the development of operational and maintenance procedures.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable adequate management and maintenance of high ropes course
observation of safe inspection and thorough maintenance and installation of course equipment and elements
review of devised operational and maintenance procedures, and course maintenance records and reports
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOODR405A Manage risk in an outdoor activity.
Guidance information for assessment
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
conducts thorough routine inspections of high ropes course and surrounding area and applies safe installation techniques, practices and hardware
develops and reviews operational procedures for the set up, operation and maintenance of high ropes courses, including rescue procedures
devises methods of promptly informing course users and facilitators of changes made to elements and procedures and outlines staffing and training requirements for a high ropes course
documents safety and emergency procedures required for use at the site and aims, risks and spotting techniques appropriate for each element
consults with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists to determine course maintenance procedures where required.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure application of detailed knowledge of high ropes course elements and maintenance requirements to develop and review comprehensive procedures.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a minimum of two different high ropes courses, each with a minimum of five elements,
equipment required for the maintenance of a high ropes course
challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists, where required
resources such as relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to assist in the development of operational and maintenance procedures.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable adequate management and maintenance of high ropes course
observation of safe inspection and thorough maintenance and installation of course equipment and elements
review of devised operational and maintenance procedures, and course maintenance records and reports
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOODR405A Manage risk in an outdoor activity.
Guidance information for assessment
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C6132 | SROCRP006A | Manage a high ropes course | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF78 | SISOCHC005 | Manage challenge course | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC666 | SISSS00034 | Challenge Ropes Course Manager (High Ropes) | Skill set |
| D445 | SIS50310 | Diploma of Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |