Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:23 AM AWST
23/07/2026 12:23 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.
Plan and organise the international forwarding of freight by road and rail transport
Plan and organise the international forwarding of freight by road and rail transport
Unit of competency
National Code
TLIA5061A
TLIA5061A
State Code
D3660
D3660
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/11/2014
Field of Education
089901 - Purchasing, Warehousing And Distribution
Original Release Date
05/11/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to plan and organise international forwarding of freight involving road and rail transport (covering the importing, exporting and transiting of freight). This includes confirming customers' freight transport requirements; selecting routing for road and rail freight transport; advising on and organising the packaging, packing, loading, stowage and storage of road and rail freight; and completing freight forwarding calculations for road and rail transport. It also includes assisting in the organisation of insurance for road and rail freight transport; organising permits, authorisations etc.; liaising with the freight forwarding global network; tracking and tracing international cargo being forwarded by road and rail transport; and completing documentation and records required for road and rail freight transport. There are no specific licensing or certification requirements applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Select routing for road and rail freight transport
- 1.1 Requirements for international road and rail freight transport services are confirmed and clarified with the customer
- 1.2 Critical logistics aspects of the freight transport are determined, analysed and taken into account in planning the freight forwarding solution(s)
- 1.3 Checks are made that all conventions for international road and rail freight transport are fulfilled
- 1.4 Where the freight forwarding involves special transport services, advice is sought as required from experts or specialists in the area of the special cargo or dangerous goods concerned
- 1.5 Suitable routing for road and rail freight transport is selected after consideration of the options available and analysis of the risks involved
- 1.6 Alternative routing options are identified for possible use in the event of contingencies
2Advise on and organise the packaging, packing, stowage and storage of freight for road and rail transport
- 2.1 Suitable options are determined for the packaging, packing, stowage and storage of freight given the type of cargo, the mode of transport, the destination and the selected route(s)
- 2.2 Where applicable, container types suitable for road and rail freight transport and appropriate for the freight are reviewed and appropriate options selected
- 2.3 Restrictions on the dimensions of containers for transport by road and/or rail are taken into account when selecting container types
- 2.4 The pricing of containers and other forms of freight packaging suitable for road and rail freight transport is determined and advice provided to the customer
- 2.5 Advice is provided to the customer on the selection, loading and packing of suitable container types and other forms of freight packaging as applicable
- 2.6 Documentation required for the selected containers or other forms of packaging suitable for road and rail freight transport is prepared as per standard procedures and regulatory requirements
- 2.7 Appropriate action is taken to organise and provide advice to the customer on the packaging, packing, stowage and storage of the freight for the planned forwarding project including the planning of the loading of the selected containers where applicable
3Complete freight forwarding calculations for road and rail freight transport
- 3.1 Calculations required in the course of planning and organising the international forwarding of freight involving road and rail freight transport are completed accurately and with the available computational aids
4Assist in organising insurance for road and rail freight transport
- 4.1 Risks involved in the planned road and rail freight forwarding solution are identified and analysed
- 4.2 Transport and liability insurance requirements for the proposed forwarding solution are evaluated and considered
- 4.3 Assistance in selecting and organising appropriate insurance options is provided as per standard procedures and applicable regulatory requirements
5Organise permits, authorisations etc. needed for road and rail freight transport
- 5.1 Documentation requirements are determined for the cargo, mode(s) of transport and selected routing concerned, including permits, authorisations etc.
- 5.2 Documentation requirements are organised and processed as per standard procedures and applicable regulatory requirements
6Liaise with the freight forwarding global network
- 6.1 Appropriate liaison with agents, carriers and others in the global network and supply chain is conducted to plan and organise the freight forwarding project
- 6.2 Appropriate information and communications technology systems and equipment are used when liaising with the freight forwarding global network as per standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements
7Track and trace international cargo being forwarded by road and rail transport
- 7.1 International cargo being transported by road or rail freight transport is tracked and traced during a freight forwarding project using the available systems and technology
- 7.2 Problems with the transit of freight identified during tracking activities are evaluated and appropriate action is initiated to address the problems as per standard procedures
- 7.3 Advice is provided to the customer on the progress of the international road and rail freight transport project and any action taken to address unexpected contingencies
8Complete required documentation and records
- 8.1 Forms and documentation required for the planned freight forwarding project are completed as per standard operating procedures and applicable regulatory requirements
- 8.2 Data is retrieved from and entered into computer systems as per standard operating procedures and applicable regulatory requirements
- 8.3 Records of arrangements made and critical transactions are kept as per standard operating procedures and applicable regulatory 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.
Mode of international freight transport may include:
road transport
rail transport
piggyback (combined transport road-rail transport)
International freight forwarding includes services related to:
the importing of goods
the exporting of goods
the transiting of goods
Trains used for international rail freight transport may include but are not limited to:
Conventional transport by railwagons or rollingstock, involving complete wagon loads (as part loads have now nearly disappeared), including:
various different types of railwagons or rollingstock (railway-owned or privately-owned)
special railwagons or rollingstock (e.g. with changeable axles, container-carrying railwagons or rollingstock etc.)
Combined transport by rail (road-rail transport), including:
piggyback (transport by rail of road semi-trailers)
container traffic by rail (unaccompanied combined transport)
swap-bodies (similar to containers)
Euro (pallet wide) containers
Road vehicles used for international freight transport may include but are not limited to:
vans and light rigid vehicles of varying length, width, height, loading and total weight
rigid trucks of varying length, width, height, loading and total weight
semitrailers and multi-combination vehicles of varying length, width, height, loading and total weight
vehicles capable of participating in combined freight movements such as road/rail, road/ferryboat, roll-on/roll-off vessels
vehicles capable of carrying special loads such as perishable goods, liquids, gases and heavy-lift cargo
vehicles with swap-bodies (similar to containers)
Pre-transport issues in the forwarding of freight by road and rail transport may include:
adequacy of insurance
adequacy of packaging
planning of the packing and loading of cargo into containers
planning for security, proper stacking and stowage and handling in transit
planning for clearance, delivery and receival during transit and at destination
Requirements for work may include:
international freight forwarding codes of practice, protocols and procedures
regulations relevant to the international forwarding of freight by road and rail transport
authorities and permits relevant to the international forwarding of freight by road and rail transport
workplace standard operating procedures
information and communications technology and related systems
global time zones and hours of operation
Parameters of road and rail freight transport services relevant to customer requirements may include:
standard operating procedures for forwarding of various types of international freight by road and rail
type of transport modes
road and rail transport routing
various consignment methods for road and rail transport
packaging, packing, stowage and storage options for road and rail transport, including road and rail freight containerisation or use of unit load devices
relevant legislative requirements
required import/export documentation, labelling and requirements
transport security checks
insurance requirements
service costs
contract arrangements
payment requirements and procedures
fiduciary and legal responsibilities of either party
Types of containers used in road and rail transport may include but are not limited to:
box (dry van)
open top
open side
bulk
tanks
reefer
platform
flat
Types of packages used for storing and protecting cargo during transit may include:
bags
cartons
thermal cartons with gel-ice
cases
drums
pallets
pallecons and other devices for carrying bulk liquids, pastes and powders
Consultative processes may involve:
customers
international and domestic agents and suppliers
railway or road transport company representatives
relevant regulatory authorities and institutions
other employees and supervisors
management
freight forwarding specialists
other professional or technical staff
Sources of information required to perform international freight forwarding functions may include:
websites of key international and Australian organisations such as FIATA, IMO, ICAO, IATA, CASA, AMSA, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, AQIS, government agencies responsible for transport security etc.
key reference publications such as Incoterms, FIATA forms and documents, ICC publications, and other manuals, texts and handbooks on freight forwarding, international trade and related topics etc.
Communications systems may involve:
face-to-face conversation
telephone including fixed, mobile and IP phones
fax
email
electronic data transfer of information (EDI)
mail
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
Information/documents may include but are not limited to:
Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the international forwarding of freight by road and rail
summaries and definitions of Incoterms and Combiterms
customers' instructions and transport requirements
workplace standard operating procedures and policies
operations manuals, job specifications and procedures and induction documentation
standard FIATA forms and documentation such as:
Waybill for inland transportation
Waybill for cross border traffics
International Customs Transit Document (e.g. carnet TIR)
a Truck Bill of Lading
a Rail Bill of Lading
a Negotiable Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FB/L)
a Non-negotiable Multimodal Transport Waybill (FWB)
a Forwarders Certificate of Receipt (FCR)
a Forwarders Certificate of Transport (FCT)
a Forwarders Warehouse Receipt (FWR)
a Forwarders Forwarding Instructions (FFI)
a Shippers Declaration for the Transport of Dangerous Goods (SDT)
a Shippers Intermodal Weight Certification (SIWC)
an Original Bill of Lading (OB/L)
a House Bill of Lading (HBL)
Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (MTB/L)
cargo manifests
pre-advice and pre-alert documents
Australian and international standards, criteria and certification requirements
data obtained through communications technology equipment and oral, aural or signed communications
freight forwarder company's quality assurance standards and procedures
emergency procedures
Applicable regulations and legislation may include:
Australian and international regulations Australian and international regulations, conventions and codes of practice for the international forwarding of freight
relevant regulations for the import and export of cargo
Australian and international standards and certification requirements
relevant regulations pertaining to international trading and financial transactions
relevant Australian and international transport security and safety legislation
relevant Australian and international environmental protection legislation
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Mode of international freight transport may include:
road transport
rail transport
piggyback (combined transport road-rail transport)
International freight forwarding includes services related to:
the importing of goods
the exporting of goods
the transiting of goods
Trains used for international rail freight transport may include but are not limited to:
Conventional transport by railwagons or rollingstock, involving complete wagon loads (as part loads have now nearly disappeared), including:
various different types of railwagons or rollingstock (railway-owned or privately-owned)
special railwagons or rollingstock (e.g. with changeable axles, container-carrying railwagons or rollingstock etc.)
Combined transport by rail (road-rail transport), including:
piggyback (transport by rail of road semi-trailers)
container traffic by rail (unaccompanied combined transport)
swap-bodies (similar to containers)
Euro (pallet wide) containers
Road vehicles used for international freight transport may include but are not limited to:
vans and light rigid vehicles of varying length, width, height, loading and total weight
rigid trucks of varying length, width, height, loading and total weight
semitrailers and multi-combination vehicles of varying length, width, height, loading and total weight
vehicles capable of participating in combined freight movements such as road/rail, road/ferryboat, roll-on/roll-off vessels
vehicles capable of carrying special loads such as perishable goods, liquids, gases and heavy-lift cargo
vehicles with swap-bodies (similar to containers)
Pre-transport issues in the forwarding of freight by road and rail transport may include:
adequacy of insurance
adequacy of packaging
planning of the packing and loading of cargo into containers
planning for security, proper stacking and stowage and handling in transit
planning for clearance, delivery and receival during transit and at destination
Requirements for work may include:
international freight forwarding codes of practice, protocols and procedures
regulations relevant to the international forwarding of freight by road and rail transport
authorities and permits relevant to the international forwarding of freight by road and rail transport
workplace standard operating procedures
information and communications technology and related systems
global time zones and hours of operation
Parameters of road and rail freight transport services relevant to customer requirements may include:
standard operating procedures for forwarding of various types of international freight by road and rail
type of transport modes
road and rail transport routing
various consignment methods for road and rail transport
packaging, packing, stowage and storage options for road and rail transport, including road and rail freight containerisation or use of unit load devices
relevant legislative requirements
required import/export documentation, labelling and requirements
transport security checks
insurance requirements
service costs
contract arrangements
payment requirements and procedures
fiduciary and legal responsibilities of either party
Types of containers used in road and rail transport may include but are not limited to:
box (dry van)
open top
open side
bulk
tanks
reefer
platform
flat
Types of packages used for storing and protecting cargo during transit may include:
bags
cartons
thermal cartons with gel-ice
cases
drums
pallets
pallecons and other devices for carrying bulk liquids, pastes and powders
Consultative processes may involve:
customers
international and domestic agents and suppliers
railway or road transport company representatives
relevant regulatory authorities and institutions
other employees and supervisors
management
freight forwarding specialists
other professional or technical staff
Sources of information required to perform international freight forwarding functions may include:
websites of key international and Australian organisations such as FIATA, IMO, ICAO, IATA, CASA, AMSA, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, AQIS, government agencies responsible for transport security etc.
key reference publications such as Incoterms, FIATA forms and documents, ICC publications, and other manuals, texts and handbooks on freight forwarding, international trade and related topics etc.
Communications systems may involve:
face-to-face conversation
telephone including fixed, mobile and IP phones
fax
electronic data transfer of information (EDI)
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
Information/documents may include but are not limited to:
Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the international forwarding of freight by road and rail
summaries and definitions of Incoterms and Combiterms
customers' instructions and transport requirements
workplace standard operating procedures and policies
operations manuals, job specifications and procedures and induction documentation
standard FIATA forms and documentation such as:
Waybill for inland transportation
Waybill for cross border traffics
International Customs Transit Document (e.g. carnet TIR)
a Truck Bill of Lading
a Rail Bill of Lading
a Negotiable Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FB/L)
a Non-negotiable Multimodal Transport Waybill (FWB)
a Forwarders Certificate of Receipt (FCR)
a Forwarders Certificate of Transport (FCT)
a Forwarders Warehouse Receipt (FWR)
a Forwarders Forwarding Instructions (FFI)
a Shippers Declaration for the Transport of Dangerous Goods (SDT)
a Shippers Intermodal Weight Certification (SIWC)
an Original Bill of Lading (OB/L)
a House Bill of Lading (HBL)
Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (MTB/L)
cargo manifests
pre-advice and pre-alert documents
Australian and international standards, criteria and certification requirements
data obtained through communications technology equipment and oral, aural or signed communications
freight forwarder company's quality assurance standards and procedures
emergency procedures
Applicable regulations and legislation may include:
Australian and international regulations Australian and international regulations, conventions and codes of practice for the international forwarding of freight
relevant regulations for the import and export of cargo
Australian and international standards and certification requirements
relevant regulations pertaining to international trading and financial transactions
relevant Australian and international transport security and safety legislation
relevant Australian and international environmental protection legislation
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.
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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:
selecting routing for road and rail freight transport
advising on and organising the packaging, packing, stowage and storage of freight for road and rail transport
completing freight forwarding calculations for road and rail freight transport
assisting in the organisation of insurance for road and rail freight transport
organising permits, authorisations etc. needed for road and rail freight transport
liaising with the freight forwarding global network when organising road and rail freight transport
tracking and tracing international cargo being forwarded by road and rail transport
completing documentation and records required for road and rail freight transport
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
Method of assessment
Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
Practical assessment must occur:
through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.
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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:
selecting routing for road and rail freight transport
advising on and organising the packaging, packing, stowage and storage of freight for road and rail transport
completing freight forwarding calculations for road and rail freight transport
assisting in the organisation of insurance for road and rail freight transport
organising permits, authorisations etc. needed for road and rail freight transport
liaising with the freight forwarding global network when organising road and rail freight transport
tracking and tracing international cargo being forwarded by road and rail transport
completing documentation and records required for road and rail freight transport
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
Method of assessment
Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
Practical assessment must occur:
through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWN32 | TLIA5061 | Plan and organise the international forwarding of freight by road and rail transport | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W908 | TLI50310 | Diploma of International Freight Forwarding | Qualification |