Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:09 AM AWST
23/07/2026 7:09 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.
Work as a guide
Work as a guide
Unit of competency
National Code
SITTGDE001A
SITTGDE001A
State Code
S6434
S6434
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/12/2011
Field of Education
080701 - Tourism
Original Release Date
05/12/2011
Nominal Hours
55
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work effectively as a guide. It covers key legal, ethical, safety and professional development issues that must be considered by guides in their day-to-day work. It is an essential skill for all guides and underpins all guiding activities.All tour guides residing in any part of Australia are subject to the Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003) when working in Queensland. They do not need to register or meet any training or certification requirements but they can be fined if they participate in unconscionable conduct when selling Queensland-based tourism products and services.This unit covers the requirement for guides to deliver tours according to legal and ethical requirements. The Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003) specifically deals with ethical practices. Therefore, training and assessment of this unit must take into account the specific requirements of this legislation as it has implications on all guiding activities when a guide operates within the Queensland borders. No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Apply knowledge of the guiding sector.
- 1.1 Conduct day-to-day guiding activities in a manner that takes account of the roles and responsibilities of different types of guides.
- 1.2 Identify key guide information sources and contacts.
- 1.3 Use industry knowledge and guide networks to enhance the quality of guiding services provided to customers.
2 Guide tours according to safety, ethical and legal requirements.
- 2.1 Conduct day-to-day guiding activities according to the legal requirements governing the industry.
- 2.2 Actively and regularly participate in risk assessments according to established organisational policies and procedures and identify situations where a risk assessment may be required.
- 2.3 Guide tours according to general ethics of guiding and specific ethical considerations for particular contexts.
- 2.4 Guide tours according to safety requirements and in a manner that minimises risk to customers and colleagues.
- 2.5 Guide tours in a manner that minimises any negative impact on the social or natural environment.
3 Develop guiding skills and knowledge.
- 3.1 Identify and use opportunities to update the knowledge and skills required by guides.
- 3.2 Identify and access sources of assistance and support for guides when required.
- 3.3 Share knowledge with colleagues to enhance the quality of service provided to customers.
4 Communicate with tourism industry operators in English.
- 4.1 Articulate information clearly using industry acceptable language.
- 4.2 Achieve mutual understanding and agree on details relevant to guiding activities.
- 4.3 Provide accurate information and explanations about customer requirements and any special requests.
- 4.4 Communicate according to social, cultural and business requirements.
- 4.5 Identify the nature and key facts of operational problems and provide an appropriate solution by consulting and openly communicating with the tourism operator.
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. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.
Participation in risk assessments may involve:
identifying hazards and conducting risk assessments individually or with others
reporting hazards and identifying a need for a risk assessment
using hazard identification and risk assessment template documents
making simple reports using template-reporting documents.
General ethics of guiding and specific ethical considerations may include:
truth and honesty regarding all information given to customers
provision of services as promoted or confirmed
ethical dealings with local communities
compliance with specific requirements of industry codes of conduct or ethics
relationships with industry colleagues, customers and suppliers
cultural considerations
environmental considerations and sustainable practice.
Opportunities to update knowledge and skills and key guide information sources may include:
industry seminars
training courses
familiarisation tours
participation or membership in professional guide associations
participation in industry accreditation schemes
use of industry codes of conduct or ethics
formal and informal research
internet research.
Social, cultural and business requirements may relate to:
body language
cultural customs and mores.
Tourism operators may be:
suppliers of any tourism product or service that is a component of the touring itinerary, including:
coach company
tour operators and cruise operators
airlines
accommodation providers
food and beverage outlets
attraction or theme parks
inbound tour operators
retail outlets, including:
opal or souvenir outlets
tax free stores
factory outlets
other guides.
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.
Participation in risk assessments may involve:
identifying hazards and conducting risk assessments individually or with others
reporting hazards and identifying a need for a risk assessment
using hazard identification and risk assessment template documents
making simple reports using template-reporting documents.
General ethics of guiding and specific ethical considerations may include:
truth and honesty regarding all information given to customers
provision of services as promoted or confirmed
ethical dealings with local communities
compliance with specific requirements of industry codes of conduct or ethics
relationships with industry colleagues, customers and suppliers
cultural considerations
environmental considerations and sustainable practice.
Opportunities to update knowledge and skills and key guide information sources may include:
industry seminars
training courses
familiarisation tours
participation or membership in professional guide associations
participation in industry accreditation schemes
use of industry codes of conduct or ethics
formal and informal research
internet research.
Social, cultural and business requirements may relate to:
body language
cultural customs and mores.
Tourism operators may be:
suppliers of any tourism product or service that is a component of the touring itinerary, including:
coach company
tour operators and cruise operators
airlines
accommodation providers
food and beverage outlets
attraction or theme parks
inbound tour operators
retail outlets, including:
opal or souvenir outlets
tax free stores
factory outlets
other guides.
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 TrainingPackage.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
provision of guiding services in a safe, ethical and legally compliant manner
broad knowledge of roles and responsibilities of different types of guides
knowledge of safety, ethical and legal issues to be considered in specific guiding contexts
speaking and listening skills to communicate with industry colleagues in English and achieve mutual understanding on day-to-day operational requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
working safely, ethically and legally within commercially realistic guiding environments, e.g. at a tourist site, on a coach tour, in a national park or on a walking tour
access to plain English documents that describe the legal requirements of the Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003), consumer laws and land management issues
access to industry association membership information and codes of conduct
interaction with others to ensure communication in English on practical guiding matters.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to work safely, ethically and legally as a guide. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
case studies and problem-solving to assess application of knowledge to different guiding situations and contexts, including analysis of ethical issues
review of reports of guiding activities undertaken as part of industry placement and training with an industry operator
role-plays to assess the candidate's ability to communicate in English on practical guiding issues
written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of different guide roles, the content of industry codes of conduct and the content and impact of the Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003) and other legal issues
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SITTIND001A Develop and update tourism industry knowledge
SITTGDE003A Coordinate and operate a tour
SITTGDE004A Lead tour groups
SITTTSL005A Sell tourism products and services.
Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
provision of guiding services in a safe, ethical and legally compliant manner
broad knowledge of roles and responsibilities of different types of guides
knowledge of safety, ethical and legal issues to be considered in specific guiding contexts
speaking and listening skills to communicate with industry colleagues in English and achieve mutual understanding on day-to-day operational requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
working safely, ethically and legally within commercially realistic guiding environments, e.g. at a tourist site, on a coach tour, in a national park or on a walking tour
access to plain English documents that describe the legal requirements of the Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003), consumer laws and land management issues
access to industry association membership information and codes of conduct
interaction with others to ensure communication in English on practical guiding matters.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to work safely, ethically and legally as a guide. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
case studies and problem-solving to assess application of knowledge to different guiding situations and contexts, including analysis of ethical issues
review of reports of guiding activities undertaken as part of industry placement and training with an industry operator
role-plays to assess the candidate's ability to communicate in English on practical guiding issues
written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of different guide roles, the content of industry codes of conduct and the content and impact of the Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003) and other legal issues
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SITTIND001A Develop and update tourism industry knowledge
SITTGDE003A Coordinate and operate a tour
SITTGDE004A Lead tour groups
SITTTSL005A Sell tourism products and services.
Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4873 | THTFTG01B | Work as a guide | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WB949 | SITTGDE001B | Work as a guide | Unit of competency |
