Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:42 PM AWST
22/07/2026 2:42 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.
Report environmental data
Report environmental data
Unit of competency
National Code
MSS025003A
MSS025003A
State Code
D7698
D7698
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/09/2011
Field of Education
050999 - Environmental Studies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
14/09/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to perform scientific calculations, process and interrogate environmental data sets, analyse trends and uncertainty in data, and report results within the required timeframe. The unit requires personnel to solve problems where alternatives are not obvious and where investigations and trials may be required and the implications of various solutions considered.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Perform scientific calculations
- 1.1 Ensure raw data are consistent with expectations and reasonable ranges
- 1.2 Calculate scientific quantities involving algebraic, power, exponential and/or logarithmic functions
- 1.3 Ensure calculated quantities are consistent with estimations
- 1.4 Present results using the appropriate units, uncertainties and number of significant figures
2 Determine variation and/or uncertainty in data distributions
- 2.1 Organise raw data into appropriate frequency distributions
- 2.2 Calculate means, medians, modes, ranges and standard deviations for ungrouped and grouped data
- 2.3 Interpret frequency distributions to determine the characteristics of the sample or population
- 2.4 Calculate standard deviations and confidence limits for means and replicates
- 2.5 Estimate the sampling error and/or uncertainty in data using statistical analysis
- 2.6 Determine data acceptability using statistical tests and enterprise procedures
3 Interpret data and related statistics
- 3.1 Recognise significant trends in data
- 3.2 Use standard statistical methods to test for an association or correlation between variables
- 3.3 Use standard statistical methods to test hypotheses involving the same variable between samples, samples with more than one variable and for paired samples
- 3.4 Verify data interpretation with supervisor, as necessary
4 Check for aberrant data sets
- 4.1 Identify data that cannot be reconciled with sample, data set and/or documentation, monitoring procedures and/or expected outcomes
- 4.2 Determine appropriate actions in consultation with supervisor, as necessary
5 Report data and analysis
- 5.1 Use charts, tables and graphs to present summarised data and analysis results in the required format
- 5.2 Verify that entry of data and results are correct
- 5.3 Clearly identify summary information and any significant trends and/or problems with data
- 5.4 Prepare reports in a format and style consistent with their intended use and enterprise guidelines
- 5.5 Communicate results within the specified time and in accordance with enterprise confidentiality and security guidelines.
Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
AS ISO 1000:1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application
Eurachem/CITAC Guide CG4 Quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement
ISO 5725 Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results
ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3 Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)
national measurement regulations and guidelines
National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) technical notes
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks
sampling and test procedures and standard operating procedures
enterprise quality manual
validation of the equipment and associated software, where applicable
validation of spreadsheets developed in-house for assay and process calculations
Data records
Data records may include:
worksheets
spreadsheets or databases linked to information management systems
the results of tests, measurements, analyses and surveys
Laboratory computations
Laboratory computations may include:
algebraic, logarithmic, exponential and power functions
calculations involving fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions and percentages
evaluation of formulae containing powers, exponents and logarithms functions
use of scientific notation, correct units and correct number of significant figures
calculation of uncertainties
preparation and interpretation of linear, semi-log and log-log graphs
calculation and interpretation of statistical quantities, such as mean, median, mode, range, variance and standard deviation
determination of regression line equations and correlation coefficients
Calculations of scientific quantities
Calculations of scientific quantities may include:
percentage and absolute uncertainties in measurements and test results
density and salinity
noise (dB and dBA)
dose (mg), dilution(1:10), concentration (molarity, g/mL, mg/L, ppm and ppb)
pH, [H+], [OH-], buffer calculations, Ka, pKa, Kb, pKb and Kw
solubility constants Ks and pKs
radioactive half life, dose, activity and exposure
optical properties, such as absorbance, transmittance, path length, extinction coefficient, concentration (Beers law) and detection limits
electrical properties, such as conductivity and resistivity
Graphical analysis
Graphical analysis may include:
determination of linear, logarithmic, exponential and power relationships
regression lines and interpretation of correlation coefficients
preparing frequency distributions for given data
calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency and dispersion
Calculations
Calculations may be performed:
with or without a calculator
with computer software, such as:
spreadsheets
databases
statistical packages
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis may include the use of:
histograms, frequency plots, stem and leaf plots, box plots and scatter plots
probability and normal probability plots
regression methods for calibration, linearity checks and comparing analytical methods
Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient
chi squared tests
ANOVA
data acceptability tests, such as Q, t and Youden
Records
Records may include information associated with:
purchase of equipment and materials
service records
safety procedures
history of calibration and test results
management of data sets
Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
AS ISO 1000:1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application
Eurachem/CITAC Guide CG4 Quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement
ISO 5725 Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results
ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3 Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)
national measurement regulations and guidelines
National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) technical notes
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks
sampling and test procedures and standard operating procedures
enterprise quality manual
validation of the equipment and associated software, where applicable
validation of spreadsheets developed in-house for assay and process calculations
Data records
Data records may include:
worksheets
spreadsheets or databases linked to information management systems
the results of tests, measurements, analyses and surveys
Laboratory computations
Laboratory computations may include:
algebraic, logarithmic, exponential and power functions
calculations involving fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions and percentages
evaluation of formulae containing powers, exponents and logarithms functions
use of scientific notation, correct units and correct number of significant figures
calculation of uncertainties
preparation and interpretation of linear, semi-log and log-log graphs
calculation and interpretation of statistical quantities, such as mean, median, mode, range, variance and standard deviation
determination of regression line equations and correlation coefficients
Calculations of scientific quantities
Calculations of scientific quantities may include:
percentage and absolute uncertainties in measurements and test results
density and salinity
noise (dB and dBA)
dose (mg), dilution(1:10), concentration (molarity, g/mL, mg/L, ppm and ppb)
pH, [H+], [OH-], buffer calculations, Ka, pKa, Kb, pKb and Kw
solubility constants Ks and pKs
radioactive half life, dose, activity and exposure
optical properties, such as absorbance, transmittance, path length, extinction coefficient, concentration (Beers law) and detection limits
electrical properties, such as conductivity and resistivity
Graphical analysis
Graphical analysis may include:
determination of linear, logarithmic, exponential and power relationships
regression lines and interpretation of correlation coefficients
preparing frequency distributions for given data
calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency and dispersion
Calculations
Calculations may be performed:
with or without a calculator
with computer software, such as:
spreadsheets
databases
statistical packages
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis may include the use of:
histograms, frequency plots, stem and leaf plots, box plots and scatter plots
probability and normal probability plots
regression methods for calibration, linearity checks and comparing analytical methods
Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient
chi squared tests
ANOVA
data acceptability tests, such as Q, t and Youden
Records
Records may include information associated with:
purchase of equipment and materials
service records
safety procedures
history of calibration and test results
management of data sets
Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health
Overview of assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
storing, retrieving and manipulating environmental data in accordance with enterprise procedures and traceability requirements
calculating scientific quantities relevant to the work and presenting accurate results in the required format
choosing appropriate graphical/statistical methods to analyse given data sets
preparing frequency distributions for given data, and calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency and dispersion
analysing data to determine relationships between variables and samples
maintaining the security and confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements
reporting results in the required formats and expected timeframe.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL924002A Use laboratory application software
environmental monitoring units, such as the MSS024000A and MSS025000A series units of competency.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
data sets and records
computer and relevant software or enterprise information system
relevant workplace procedures.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of data worksheets, calculations, computer files (such as spreadsheets and databases), statistical analysis, graphs and/or tables prepared by the candidate
questions to assess understanding of relevant data handling procedures, graphical/statistical methods, trends in data and sources of uncertainty
review of reports prepared by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidate’s ability to analyse and report data in accordance with enterprise procedures.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
storing, retrieving and manipulating environmental data in accordance with enterprise procedures and traceability requirements
calculating scientific quantities relevant to the work and presenting accurate results in the required format
choosing appropriate graphical/statistical methods to analyse given data sets
preparing frequency distributions for given data, and calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency and dispersion
analysing data to determine relationships between variables and samples
maintaining the security and confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements
reporting results in the required formats and expected timeframe.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL924002A Use laboratory application software
environmental monitoring units, such as the MSS024000A and MSS025000A series units of competency.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
data sets and records
computer and relevant software or enterprise information system
relevant workplace procedures.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of data worksheets, calculations, computer files (such as spreadsheets and databases), statistical analysis, graphs and/or tables prepared by the candidate
questions to assess understanding of relevant data handling procedures, graphical/statistical methods, trends in data and sources of uncertainty
review of reports prepared by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidate’s ability to analyse and report data in accordance with enterprise procedures.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAK81 | MSS025003 | Report environmental data | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D551 | MSS40211 | Certificate IV in Environmental Monitoring and Technology | Qualification |
| D553 | MSS50211 | Diploma of Environmental Monitoring and Technology | Qualification |