Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:25 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:25 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.
Perform aromatherapy health assessment
Perform aromatherapy health assessment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTARO406B
HLTARO406B
State Code
d5769
d5769
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/08/2012
Field of Education
061999 - Complementary Therapies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
27/08/2012
Nominal Hours
200
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to observe the condition of the client and gather information relevant to the case using an aromatherapy assessment techniques
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine the scope of the assessment and the client's needs
- 1.1 Establish client's purpose for consultation and identify symptoms
- 1.2 Determine client's eligibility for service using clinic/personal policies
- 1.3 Explain clearly services provided and limits of available services
- 1.4 Explore and clarify client's expectations of the service/clinic
- 1.5 Identify factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment in consultation with the client and implement strategies to minimise the effects of these factors wherever possible
- 1.6 Define personal abilities, level of professional competence and parameters of role to the client and determine practice at all times
- 1.7 Refer client to other health care providers where their needs are identified as beyond the scope of the services able to be provided, or if in the opinion of the practitioner their needs are best met by doing so
- 1.8 Identify and promote legal rights of the client
2. Obtain and record an accurate history of the client
- 2.1 Seek information required from the client for the client's history in a respectful way with all enquiries asked in a purposeful, systematic and diplomatic manner
- 2.2 Collect accurate, relevant and well organised information and record in a form which can be interpreted readily by other professionals
- 2.3 Manage information in a confidential and secure way
3. Manage the health assessment
- 3.1 Obtain informed client consent prior to conducting tests, in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations
- 3.2 Allow adequate time during consultation to gather critical information
- 3.3 Identify and minimise factors that may interfere with the information gathering process
- 3.4 Identify, establish and routinely observe essential requirements for the maintenance of clinical and practitioner hygiene
- 3.5 Anticipate potential sensitivities of the client and adapt approach accordingly to take these into account
- 3.6 Ensure the client's dignity is maintained at all times
- 3.7 Investigate abnormal in a deliberate, logical and appropriate manner
- 3.8 Assess the reliability of data and establish appropriate clinical correlation with the client's complaints
- 3.9 Base any decision to carry out laboratory tests on the integration of previously obtained clinical data and history
- 3.10 Adhere to the protocol required by the agency in ordering tests
- 3.11 Record all information in a systematic manner in accordance with clinic guidelines
4. Prepare the client for assessment
- 4.1 Respect client boundaries at all times
- 4.2 Seek client feedback on comfort levels
- 4.3 Prepare a suitable environment to maximise client comfort
5. Make an assessment of the client
- 5.1 Identify signs of condition according to aromatherapy framework
- 5.2 Assess client through palpation, observation and sensory information gathering techniques
- 5.3 Use other appropriate assessmenttechniques
- 5.4 Identify contraindications to treatment
- 5.5 Conduct assessment according to relevant regulation and legislative requirements
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to presence of additional parties
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professionals may include but are not limited to:
Medical practitioners
Psychologists
Social workers
Counsellors
Other alternative/complementary health practitioners
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for massage
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
Biological
Emotional
Psychological
Social
Spiritual
Allergies
Appetite and eating habits
Bowel and urinary habits
Menstrual cycle
Sleep patterns
Exercise
Relaxation/leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Other appropriate assessment techniques may include
Taking a history
Palpation
Observation
Listening and smelling
Special tests including
patch tests
ROM
VAT
Taking of blood pressure, temperature, radial pulse rate and quality
Health reports and referrals
Discussion/questioning
Or any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements
Contraindications to treatment may include:
Infection or infectious diseases
Pain local sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface
Fatigue
Inflammation
Lumps and tissue changes
Rashes and changes in the skin
Oedema
Mood alterations, e.g. depression, anxiety
Changes in habits, e.g. appetite elimination or sleep
Bleeding and bruising
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Temperature - hot/cold
Varicose veins
Recent severe sprains, bruises or whiplash injuries
Migraines
Recording of information may include:
Client contact details
Nature of presenting symptoms
Health History
Other health care details, past and present
Medications/supplementation - prescribed or otherwise
Health reports and referrals
Contraindications including intoxication and infection (bacterial, viral, fungal)
Client feedback
Adverse reactions including dermal, muscular, pain or discomfort
Home care advice
Treatment application and proposed program
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to presence of additional parties
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professionals may include but are not limited to:
Medical practitioners
Psychologists
Social workers
Counsellors
Other alternative/complementary health practitioners
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for massage
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
Biological
Emotional
Psychological
Social
Spiritual
Allergies
Appetite and eating habits
Bowel and urinary habits
Menstrual cycle
Sleep patterns
Exercise
Relaxation/leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Other appropriate assessment techniques may include
Taking a history
Palpation
Observation
Listening and smelling
Special tests including
patch tests
ROM
VAT
Taking of blood pressure, temperature, radial pulse rate and quality
Health reports and referrals
Discussion/questioning
Or any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements
Contraindications to treatment may include:
Infection or infectious diseases
Pain local sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface
Fatigue
Inflammation
Lumps and tissue changes
Rashes and changes in the skin
Oedema
Mood alterations, e.g. depression, anxiety
Changes in habits, e.g. appetite elimination or sleep
Bleeding and bruising
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Temperature - hot/cold
Varicose veins
Recent severe sprains, bruises or whiplash injuries
Migraines
Recording of information may include:
Client contact details
Nature of presenting symptoms
Health History
Other health care details, past and present
Medications/supplementation - prescribed or otherwise
Health reports and referrals
Contraindications including intoxication and infection (bacterial, viral, fungal)
Client feedback
Adverse reactions including dermal, muscular, pain or discomfort
Home care advice
Treatment application and proposed program
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Resources essential for assessment include:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant assessment instruments
Skilled assessors
Method of assessment:
Observation in the workplace
Examples of assessment notes
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning
Role play/simulation
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Related units:
This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with related unit:
HLTARO401B Work within an aromatherapy framework
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Resources essential for assessment include:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant assessment instruments
Skilled assessors
Method of assessment:
Observation in the workplace
Examples of assessment notes
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning
Role play/simulation
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting. If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Related units:
This unit should be assessed after or in conjunction with related unit:
HLTARO401B Work within an aromatherapy framework
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9077 | HLTARO406A | Perform aromatherapy health assessment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVA75 | HLTARO003 | Perform aromatherapy health assessments | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D072 | HLT42707 | Certificate IV in Aromatherapy | Qualification |
| J090 | HLT42712 | Certificate IV in Aromatherapy | Qualification |