Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:58 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:58 AM 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.
Install staging elements
Install staging elements
Unit of competency
National Code
CUESTA01B
CUESTA01B
State Code
C7251
C7251
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2005
Field of Education
100103 - Drama And Theatre Studies
Original Release Date
02/08/2005
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to install a range of staging elements for any production within the cultural industries. It builds on the skills found in the unit CUESTA05A - Apply a general knowledge of staging to work activities and reflects the role of a mechanist. All installation of staging must be completed in accordance with safety and licensing regulations, e.g. scaffolding erection requires a licence.This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to install a range of staging elements for any production within the cultural industries. It builds on the skills found in the unit CUESTA05A - Apply a general knowledge of staging to work activities and reflects the role of a mechanist. All installation of staging must be completed in accordance with safety and licensing regulations, e.g. scaffolding erection requires a licence
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare for installation of staging
- 1.1 Prepare venue at the appropriate time in accordance with bump-in schedule
- 1.2 Read, correctly interpret and apply stage plans to venue layout
- 1.3 Identify and liaise with appropriate personnel to determine the sequence of installation for staging elements
- 1.4 Where there is an existing stage, communicate modifications clearly to the appropriate personnel and implement as required
- 1.5 Install other equipment and necessary structures in consultation with the appropriate personnel
- 1.6 Pre-rig equipment as required within safety guidelines and licensing requirements
2 Install staging elements
- 2.1 Mark out ground plan accurately onstage in accordance with design specifications and venue requirements
- 2.2 Install staging elements in accordance with design specifications and requirements of the production
- 2.3 Install staging elements in the appropriate sequence as agreed with appropriate personnel
- 2.4 Install staging elements in accordance with safety regulations and any manufacturer instructions
- 2.5 Select and use appropriate equipment to assist with staging installation, using safe working practices at all times
3 Check staging elements after installation
- 3.1 Check each staging element to ensure operational standards for performance are achieved and that all safety requirements have been met
- 3.2 Identify any problems with staging elements, take appropriate action to rectify or refer to the appropriate personnel for action
- 3.3 Identify any modifications required to improve suitability for performance and take appropriate action
Staging elements may include:
framed scenery, eg flats, profiles, doors, windows
weight bearing scenery, eg rostra, ramps, steps
non-weight bearing scenery, eg columns, trees
soft scenery, eg canvas legs, borders, cloths, gauzes, cycloramas
furniture and other set props
revolves
trucks
Appropriate personnel may include:
directors
designers
technical specialists
stage managers
production managers
venue management
Modifications to an existing stage may include:
installing staging extensions
altering grid and other structures under appropriate supervision
Equipment, used during installation may include the following, within regulation limits and licensing requirements:
tallescopes
maxilift or genie-type lifter
cherry pickers
mobile scaffolding
ladders and A-frames
scissor lift
Installing staging aspects of the show may involve setting up additional facilities for certain venues, particularly outside venues, and construction of extra requirements, which may include the following (within regulation limits):
stages
tents
scaffolding
fences
ground coverings
stage coverings
cast and crew amenities, eg dressing rooms
front-of-house facilities
catering facilities
seating
public amenities
framed scenery, eg flats, profiles, doors, windows
weight bearing scenery, eg rostra, ramps, steps
non-weight bearing scenery, eg columns, trees
soft scenery, eg canvas legs, borders, cloths, gauzes, cycloramas
furniture and other set props
revolves
trucks
Appropriate personnel may include:
directors
designers
technical specialists
stage managers
production managers
venue management
Modifications to an existing stage may include:
installing staging extensions
altering grid and other structures under appropriate supervision
Equipment, used during installation may include the following, within regulation limits and licensing requirements:
tallescopes
maxilift or genie-type lifter
cherry pickers
mobile scaffolding
ladders and A-frames
scissor lift
Installing staging aspects of the show may involve setting up additional facilities for certain venues, particularly outside venues, and construction of extra requirements, which may include the following (within regulation limits):
stages
tents
scaffolding
fences
ground coverings
stage coverings
cast and crew amenities, eg dressing rooms
front-of-house facilities
catering facilities
seating
public amenities
Underpinning skills and knowledge
Assessment must include evidence of essential knowledge of, and skills in, the following areas:
types of control desks which operate stage machinery
techniques for working out load capacity of stage machinery
safe and efficient methods and procedures used in manoeuvring loads
techniques for handling scenic elements, eg toggling flats and pin hinging
relevant legislative and/or organisational health and safety requirements, including safe manual handling techniques, working at heights, moving loads safely
safety issues associated with using ladders
signals to be employed when using stage machinery
safety procedures to be followed in the event of lifting, revolving or trucking emergencies
literacy skills sufficient to interpret stage plans
numeracy skills sufficient to take measurements required for installation
Linkages to other units
This unit has linkages with a range of other staging and technical production units, and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate. It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following units:
CUESTA05A Apply a general knowledge of staging to work activities
MEM18.1AB Use hand tools
Critical aspects of evidence
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
application of safe working practices for installing staging elements
knowledge of safety issues specifically associated with the installation of staging
ability to communicate effectively within a staging team
Method and context of assessment
The assessment context must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through the installation of staging elements for more than one production
installation of staging elements within realistic workplace timeframes
involvement of and interaction with a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of staging installation
Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:
direct observation of the candidate completing installation tasks
inspection of staging elements installed by the candidate
oral questioning/interview to assess knowledge of safety and equipment procedures
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (eg people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Resource requirements
Assessment of this unit requires access to:
a venue where the installation of staging can take place
staging equipment
Communicating ideas and information
Interpreting stage plans (2)
Collecting analysing and organising information
Advising crew of staging requirements (2)
Planning and organising activities
Organising installation for a production (2)
Working with others and in teams
Liaising with technicians (2)
Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculating loads (1)
Solving problems
Adjusting installation (2)
Using technology
Using tools (1)
Assessment must include evidence of essential knowledge of, and skills in, the following areas:
types of control desks which operate stage machinery
techniques for working out load capacity of stage machinery
safe and efficient methods and procedures used in manoeuvring loads
techniques for handling scenic elements, eg toggling flats and pin hinging
relevant legislative and/or organisational health and safety requirements, including safe manual handling techniques, working at heights, moving loads safely
safety issues associated with using ladders
signals to be employed when using stage machinery
safety procedures to be followed in the event of lifting, revolving or trucking emergencies
literacy skills sufficient to interpret stage plans
numeracy skills sufficient to take measurements required for installation
Linkages to other units
This unit has linkages with a range of other staging and technical production units, and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate. It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following units:
CUESTA05A Apply a general knowledge of staging to work activities
MEM18.1AB Use hand tools
Critical aspects of evidence
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
application of safe working practices for installing staging elements
knowledge of safety issues specifically associated with the installation of staging
ability to communicate effectively within a staging team
Method and context of assessment
The assessment context must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through the installation of staging elements for more than one production
installation of staging elements within realistic workplace timeframes
involvement of and interaction with a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of staging installation
Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:
direct observation of the candidate completing installation tasks
inspection of staging elements installed by the candidate
oral questioning/interview to assess knowledge of safety and equipment procedures
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (eg people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Resource requirements
Assessment of this unit requires access to:
a venue where the installation of staging can take place
staging equipment
Communicating ideas and information
Interpreting stage plans (2)
Collecting analysing and organising information
Advising crew of staging requirements (2)
Planning and organising activities
Organising installation for a production (2)
Working with others and in teams
Liaising with technicians (2)
Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculating loads (1)
Solving problems
Adjusting installation (2)
Using technology
Using tools (1)
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXO89 | CUESTA1A | Install staging elements | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1602 | CUESTA01C | Install staging elements | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S605 | SIT30607 | Certificate III in Events | Qualification |