Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Animals may include:
most commonly, dogs and cats
other small animals:
rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs.
Parasitic infestations may include:
external parasites:
fleas, mites, lice, ticks, flies and midges.
General health and temperament may include:
current body, skin and coat condition
known allergies or other health problems
habits and behavioural traits
history of previous grooming experience
injuries or other issues either reported or observed
preferred restraint
vaccination status.
Risks
Risks in capture, handling and grooming of animals may include:
aggressive animal behaviour
escape of animals and subsequent threat to safety of humans and other animals
potential anxiety of animal when being handled by strangers
potential injuries to humans during capture, handling and grooming processes
potential stress and injury to animals during handling and grooming
reaction to washing and grooming chemicals
transmission of disease and infection to humans and other animals
unfamiliarity of animal to grooming and washing equipment and processes to animals.
Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks, and scratches
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
gas leakage
handling of chemicals and medicines
heat stress and reaction to dryers/dryer stress
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Grooming pattern and style characteristics may include:
breed specific clipping regulations and standards for competition or working animals
coat thinning, cutting, shaving and pattern trimming
metabolic and other animal health issues that may be impacted by coat condition, grooming methods and equipment
techniques used to groom animals to ensure their comfort in various climatic and lifestyle conditions.
Grooming equipment may include:
brushes and combs
coat cleaning and conditioning products
coat clippers (e.g. electric, rechargeable, hand operated and assorted clipping blades)
detangling and debris removing products
dryers
files
grooming stands
polishing pads and towels
restraining equipment (e.g. collars, leads, muzzles and harnesses)
scissor and shears, tweezers and stripping knives.
Waste material may include:
bath water
chemicals, shampoos and conditioners
empty containers and disposable gloves
faeces
hair and nails
washing and drying cloths.
Business record compliance and invoicing requirements may include:
appointment book
client records
daily takings record
hours worked
invoice that is compliant with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements
price list for services and products
services and treatments completed record.
Advice on home grooming care may include:
advising of any health issues noticed during grooming or inspection of animal
advising of any injury or illness issues that have occurred during grooming
booking future appointments
further parasite control requirements
identifying follow-up grooming schedule to maintain coat and skin in optimal condition
providing literature on services or care
suggesting grooming or care products for home use.

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 evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
assess health and condition of animal's coat and determine pattern and style grooming requirements with client/owner
apply industry recognised bathing and grooming methods and procedures for different breeds of companion animals
handle animals in a safe and humane manner
operate and maintain grooming equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards and manufacturers' specifications
build relationships and communicate effectively with clients regarding appropriate grooming requirements
maintain records and follow-up with clients as required.
The skills and knowledge required to provide professional companion animal grooming services must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in companion animal organisations that offer animal pattern and style grooming services or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access to a range of companion animal breeds as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.
The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.
This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).