Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What might cause land to require improvement?
The need for improvement may be caused by rising water tables, wind eroded areas, saline areas, weed infestations, unstable soils, poorly drained areas, or shelter requirements.

Once soil samples are taken, what might soil be tested for?
It may be tested for pH, salinity, texture, or nutrient status.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below.

What equipment might be required for land improvements?

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What might natural features include?
Natural features include hills, depressions and waterways.

What soil conservation measures and structures might be used, examined and repaired?
The preparation of grassed waterways, construction of contour banks at specific sites, maintenance of contour banks and waterways, and stabilising and revegetating land by planting grasses/trees where soil erosion has taken place. There may also be the use of dams, banks and drains, waterways, land clearing, land rehabilitation, water ponding schemes, water ponding banks, sand owing completed areas on banks.
Carrying out irrigation practices to ensure crop needs are met, by matching irrigation inputs with soil water holding capacity to minimise excess applications that may result in rising water tables, leaching of nutrients or excessive run-off.

What practices will maintain organic (matter) levels in the soil structure?
Such practices as green cane harvesting, trash retention, minimum/zero tillage, green manure crops, spray out fallow fields to leave subterranean roots and organic surface cover, and maintaining vegetation cover as long as possible. Spray out ratoons or sown crops during the fallow period.

What might affect the selection and use of chemical applications?
The availability of the fertiliser and amendments, their physical and chemical characteristics, and the suitability of fertiliser and amendments to the type of soil, climate, crop and field topography.

What environmental implications may be associated with cleaning and maintenance procedures?
Detrimental environmental impacts may result from excessive noise and exhaust emissions, the incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris (oils containers, chemical residues), and hazardous substances (fuel). Impacts may also include run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What might cause land to require improvement?
The need for improvement may be caused by rising water tables, wind eroded areas, saline areas, weed infestations, unstable soils, poorly drained areas, or shelter requirements.

Once soil samples are taken, what might soil be tested for?
It may be tested for pH, salinity, texture, or nutrient status.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below.

What equipment might be required for land improvements?

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What might natural features include?
Natural features include hills, depressions and waterways.

What soil conservation measures and structures might be used, examined and repaired?
The preparation of grassed waterways, construction of contour banks at specific sites, maintenance of contour banks and waterways, and stabilising and revegetating land by planting grasses/trees where soil erosion has taken place. There may also be the use of dams, banks and drains, waterways, land clearing, land rehabilitation, water ponding schemes, water ponding banks, sand owing completed areas on banks.
Carrying out irrigation practices to ensure crop needs are met, by matching irrigation inputs with soil water holding capacity to minimise excess applications that may result in rising water tables, leaching of nutrients or excessive run-off.

What practices will maintain organic (matter) levels in the soil structure?
Such practices as green cane harvesting, trash retention, minimum/zero tillage, green manure crops, spray out fallow fields to leave subterranean roots and organic surface cover, and maintaining vegetation cover as long as possible. Spray out ratoons or sown crops during the fallow period.

What might affect the selection and use of chemical applications?
The availability of the fertiliser and amendments, their physical and chemical characteristics, and the suitability of fertiliser and amendments to the type of soil, climate, crop and field topography.

What environmental implications may be associated with cleaning and maintenance procedures?
Detrimental environmental impacts may result from excessive noise and exhaust emissions, the incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris (oils containers, chemical residues), and hazardous substances (fuel). Impacts may also include run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities.

How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in implementing sustainable land use requires evidence that land is being managed effectively for the long term, and that operations performed on it are within the guidelines for sustainable land use.
The skills and knowledge required to implement sustainable land use must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, in a variety of degradation areas and using a range of soil conservation techniques.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:


A basic working knowledge of:

tree planting techniques
sustainable land and water use principles and practices applicable in the region
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the improvement works
the whole farm plan
relevant legislation and regulations relating to soil and water degradation issues and chemical use, building construction, and OHS
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

use communication systems
handle and manoeuvre equipment
complete pre- and post-operational checks on tools and equipment
perform routine safety, service and maintenance procedures on tools and equipment
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:


A basic working knowledge of:

tree planting techniques
sustainable land and water use principles and practices applicable in the region
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the improvement works
the whole farm plan
relevant legislation and regulations relating to soil and water degradation issues and chemical use, building construction, and OHS
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

use communication systems
handle and manoeuvre equipment
complete pre- and post-operational checks on tools and equipment
perform routine safety, service and maintenance procedures on tools and equipment
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By preparing and amending plans that may be implemented by other people. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
By preparing and amending plans that may be implemented by other people. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In assessing the land and interpreting plans for what should be done. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In assessing the land and interpreting plans for what should be done. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In planning for and implementing the improvement works. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In planning for and implementing the improvement works. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to improve land use according to prepared plans. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to improve land use according to prepared plans. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calibrating equipment and measuring quantities. (0)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calibrating equipment and measuring quantities. (0)

Solving problems
In recognising where corrective action is required and then implementing the appropriate action. (1)

Solving problems
In recognising where corrective action is required and then implementing the appropriate action. (1)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment prior to and during, land improvement works. (1)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment prior to and during, land improvement works. (1)