Elements and Performance Criteria

A person demonstrating this unit of competency will operate within the institution's:
goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
ethical standards
access and equity principles and practices
cultural diversity principles
communication channels
compliance with legislation, codes and workplace standards

Acquisition or disposal must take place within the principles and guidelines established for the institution's Collection Management policies and Exhibitions policies.

Acquisition or disposal may take place for the purpose of:
improving or rationalising the collection
mounting or ending an exhibition
complying with a will, statute or other legal requirement
meeting the request of an organisation or person
addressing cultural or moral issues
rationalising loans

Acquisition or disposal may take place between:
different sections of the same institution
two institutions
the institution and commercial enterprises
the institution and individuals or groups

Arrangements to acquire or dispose of objects may require:
assistance from outside the institution eg legal advice or action, financial advice, valuations
the use of equipment, machinery
opinions of subject matter experts
opinions of conservation experts.

Written reports should involve completion of institution's pro-forma, freehand report and/or computer based report.

Critical aspects of evidence:
Evidence to demonstrate consistent achievement of this unit's outcomes includes:
knowledge of the institution's priorities and procedures for acquisition and disposal of objects and competency in handling objects with care and precision

Concurrent assessment of units:
It is recommended that this unit is assessed in conjunction with the unit/s titled:
Maintain a safe and secure environment
Use information technology

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
Skills and knowledge are required in:
institution's Collection Management policy, goals and priorities
institution's procedures and practices for assessing objects
object's history and significance
object handling techniques
sources of curatorial and conservation advice
potential sources for acquisition or potential avenues for disposal of objects
relevant legal, ethical and financial requirements
cultural protocols
Indigenous culture and issues
procedures for safe work and manual handling
listening, questioning and clarification
reading and interpreting records and reports relating to the acquisition and disposal of objects
writing memos, business letters and reports
speaking in a friendly and culturally appropriate manner
working collaboratively in a team
accessing information systems, libraries, archives, catalogues, indexes
manual dexterity when handling objects
community networking
customer service
using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, data base entry and retrieval

Resource implications:
Competency in this unit should be assessed using all the relevant resources commonly provided in a museum, public gallery, contemporary art space, science exploration centre and/or keeping place.
Specific tools may include:
relevant policies and procedures manuals including OHS and preservation policy and procedures
organisation's mission statement
other organisational documentation, eg organisational charts, floor plans and relevant instructions for staff

Method and context of assessment:
Evidence of competence may be obtained through a variety of methods including:
practical demonstration
CV or portfolio
third party report addressing the performance criteria
oral or written questions
project

Competency in this unit needs to be assessed over a period of time, in a range of contexts and on multiple occasions involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence.

Assessment should occur either on the job, off the job or in a combination of on and off the job.