Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Biological and dispersal characteristics may include:
intrinsic characteristics of pest
active flight
soil borne
water borne
wind borne
biological (mechanical) vectors that carry the pest such as:
fruit, seed and plant material
insects, invertebrates and vertebrates
non-biological means such as equipment, machinery, vehicles and clothing.
Types of survey required may include:
area free
delimiting
distribution
prevalence.
Standards and protocols that may apply include:
PLANTPLAN
Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN)
commonwealth, state and territory legislation defining legal powers in a disease emergency
damage minimisation policies
environmental policies
occupational health and safety requirements and policies
pest free area guidelines
standard operating procedures.
Diagnostic tests selected may include:
biochemical tests
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
microscopy
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Instructions for survey teams may cover:
actions to take when suspect material is found
biosecurity measures for team and property owners
communication protocols for teams when briefing property owners, including confidentiality requirements
farm, district and regional requirements
sampling intensity
sampling protocols
specifying survey sites.
Resources required may include:
equipment
illustrated guides
information technology and communications equipment
maps - topographical and aerial
personnel and their needs, including physical needs such as transport, accommodation and other requirements such as supervision and training
vehicles appropriate to area, site and terrain, including:
four-wheel drive
all terrain vehicle (ATV)
forklift
helicopter.
Technical experts to consult may include:
those with appropriate diagnostic and biometric expertise.
Appropriate authorities may include:
chief plant health manager
consultative committee on emergency plant pests
planning manager
survey manager.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below:
assessment must confirm one's ability to develop and document a plant pest survey strategy according to prevailing standards and protocols.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to develop a plant pest survey strategy.
The candidate must also have access to a functioning control centre, or a control centre established for a plant pest response simulation exercise.
Method of assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation exercise or in responses to an emergency disease or plant pest incursion.
Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to plan and oversee an emergency disease or plant pest control program must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work within control centres established for other emergency diseases or plant pest incursions.