Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 12:36 PM AWST
22/07/2026 12:36 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.
Operate master control
Operate master control
Unit of competency
National Code
CUFBRD501A
CUFBRD501A
State Code
D1079
D1079
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
31/10/2008
Field of Education
100701 - Audio Visual Studies
Original Release Date
31/10/2008
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor and switch incoming and outgoing television or radio transmission signals using master or network control equipment.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Plan master or network control resources
- 1. Analyse production and transmission requirements to determine overall master or network control requirements
- 2. Ensure schedule information is accurate and resolve identified problems in close collaboration with relevant operational and production personnel
- 3. Ensure access to required input and output feeds are available to meet transmission and production requirements in accordance with available equipment and signal pathways
- 4. Communicate with relevant operational and production personnel on a needs basis and in sufficient time to resolve potential issues, problems and required changes
- 5. Suggest creative and technical solutions to complex situations in collaboration with relevant operational and production personnel
Schedule feeds and equipment requests
- 6. Organise appropriate line connections and switching for incoming and outgoing feeds according to transmission and production requirements
- 7. Ensure that equipment is connected according to transmission and production requirements and that it is in good working order
- 8. Measure signal parameters before and after conversion to ensure converted product meets required standards
- 9. Switch feeds and up-links and down-links as required according to production and transmission requirements
- 10. Complete workplace documentation as required and in accordance with enterprise protocols
Monitor incoming and outgoing feeds
- 11. Check that feeds are correct and of a suitable quality to meet required technical standards of the enterprise
- 12. Use appropriate equipment to verify that signals are operating within required specifications, and that there is no distortion
- 13. Accurately diagnose nature and causes of faults and problems and take appropriate actions to resolve them
- 14. Adjust systems as needed to ensure signals are within specification and utilising appropriate reference test signals
- 15. Communicate with feed providers to maintain required technical quality of material and provide solutions to overcome operational issues as needed
- 16. Maintain contact with relevant feed providers to facilitate efficient switching of up-links and down-links
Provide general technical and operational support
- 17. Liaise with relevant operational personnel throughout production or transmission processes to provide required feed switches
- 18. Provide assessment of transmission levels and advise relevant operational personnel of problems with the quality of the feeds
- 19. Switch feeds into and out of master control as requested by relevant operational and production personnel and ensure appropriate communications are maintained at all times
- 20. Where appropriate, ensure that incoming signals are recorded or ingested to required formats, including delivery to relevant transmission and production destinations
- 21. Organise alternate fail-safe and back-up signal paths in the event of breakdowns or failures of designated prime sources
- 22. Identify and diagnose problems with equipment and take action to remedy or refer to maintenance crew for resolution
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, 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.
Production and transmission requirements may include:
action replays
back-ups
compiles
dubs/copying, e.g.:
copying from tape to tape in the same format
copying from a source tape in one format to a destination tape in another format, e.g. from analogue to digital
copying from a tape to disk
copying from tape to computer hard drive
edits
recordings
replays
transfers.
Operational and production personnel may include:
camera operators
editors
floor manager
head of department
ingest operators
news editor
presentation operators
producer
technical/specialist personnel
station manager
supervisor
tape operators
technical director
transmission operators.
Feeds may include:
analogue
audio/video replay machines
cable
data
digital
fibre optics
live-to-air broadcasts
multiple feeds
outside broadcast input/output
pre-recorded material
single feeds
sound
studio output/input
vision
vision and sound.
Equipment may include:
audio phase vector scope
CCUs
colour monitors
control panels
digi-carts
down-links from satellite
fibre optics
frame stores/still stores
landlines
microwave links
noise and distortion meters
oscilloscopes (scopes)
servers, e.g. transmission, archival
switchers
talkback/two-way communication devices
test tone generators
up-links to satellite
UPS (uninterrupted power supply)
video/audio recorders
video/audio replay machines
VU and peak program meters
waveform and picture monitor
waveform monitors.
Signals may include:
analogue
audio
combination of vision and audio
data
digital
NTSC
PAL
SECAM
test signals
vision.
Conversion may include:
analogue
aspect ratios, e.g. 4:3, 16:9
AVI
compressed formats, e.g. MPEG2
DAB
digital
FM/AM
HDTV
DVD/CD
MP3
NTSC
OGG
PAL
WMA.
Documentation may include:
budget information
computer generated
contact numbers
equipment manuals
fault reports
in barcode format
manually written
network maps
production information
production schedules
timelines
traffic requirements
transmission schedules.
Faults and problems may include:
blocking/pixellation
cable faults
colour degradation
data entry errors
ghosting
image tears
impulsive noise
line breakdown
link fades
machine breakdown
overruns
picture distortion
picture freeze
picture out of synchronisation with sound
power or transmission signal loss
satellite occlusions, e.g. thunderstorms
sound distortion
tape machine faults.
Feed providers may include:
archival organisations
clients, e.g. channel owners
outside broadcast productions
private operators
program distributors
radio stations
studio productions
television stations.
Transmission and production destinations may include:
audio suites
design department
homes
outside broadcast
point to point, e.g. live satellite interviews
post-production suites, e.g. Dolby suites, editing suites
presentation booths
schedule monitors
studio
syndication stations.
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.
Production and transmission requirements may include:
action replays
back-ups
compiles
dubs/copying, e.g.:
copying from tape to tape in the same format
copying from a source tape in one format to a destination tape in another format, e.g. from analogue to digital
copying from a tape to disk
copying from tape to computer hard drive
edits
recordings
replays
transfers.
Operational and production personnel may include:
camera operators
editors
floor manager
head of department
ingest operators
news editor
presentation operators
producer
technical/specialist personnel
station manager
supervisor
tape operators
technical director
transmission operators.
Feeds may include:
analogue
audio/video replay machines
cable
data
digital
fibre optics
live-to-air broadcasts
multiple feeds
outside broadcast input/output
pre-recorded material
single feeds
sound
studio output/input
vision
vision and sound.
Equipment may include:
audio phase vector scope
CCUs
colour monitors
control panels
digi-carts
down-links from satellite
fibre optics
frame stores/still stores
landlines
microwave links
noise and distortion meters
oscilloscopes (scopes)
servers, e.g. transmission, archival
switchers
talkback/two-way communication devices
test tone generators
up-links to satellite
UPS (uninterrupted power supply)
video/audio recorders
video/audio replay machines
VU and peak program meters
waveform and picture monitor
waveform monitors.
Signals may include:
analogue
audio
combination of vision and audio
data
digital
NTSC
PAL
SECAM
test signals
vision.
Conversion may include:
analogue
aspect ratios, e.g. 4:3, 16:9
AVI
compressed formats, e.g. MPEG2
DAB
digital
FM/AM
HDTV
DVD/CD
MP3
NTSC
OGG
PAL
WMA.
Documentation may include:
budget information
computer generated
contact numbers
equipment manuals
fault reports
in barcode format
manually written
network maps
production information
production schedules
timelines
traffic requirements
transmission schedules.
Faults and problems may include:
blocking/pixellation
cable faults
colour degradation
data entry errors
ghosting
image tears
impulsive noise
line breakdown
link fades
machine breakdown
overruns
picture distortion
picture freeze
picture out of synchronisation with sound
power or transmission signal loss
satellite occlusions, e.g. thunderstorms
sound distortion
tape machine faults.
Feed providers may include:
archival organisations
clients, e.g. channel owners
outside broadcast productions
private operators
program distributors
radio stations
studio productions
television stations.
Transmission and production destinations may include:
audio suites
design department
homes
outside broadcast
point to point, e.g. live satellite interviews
post-production suites, e.g. Dolby suites, editing suites
presentation booths
schedule monitors
studio
syndication stations.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
Evidence of the following is essential:
correct interpretation of transmission schedules
accurate and timely switching of feeds according to production and transmission requirements
ability to check quality of vision and/or sound feeds
collaborative approach to work, including the ability to supervise team members
effective verbal communication with a range of individuals, including use of talkback/intercom communication devices.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through directing incoming and outgoing signals according to real or simulated schedules
access to a range of complex master control equipment used in broadcasting facilities
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
observation of the candidate operating master control in a large-scale or network broadcast facility
written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBWOR502A Ensure team effectiveness.
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
Evidence of the following is essential:
correct interpretation of transmission schedules
accurate and timely switching of feeds according to production and transmission requirements
ability to check quality of vision and/or sound feeds
collaborative approach to work, including the ability to supervise team members
effective verbal communication with a range of individuals, including use of talkback/intercom communication devices.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through directing incoming and outgoing signals according to real or simulated schedules
access to a range of complex master control equipment used in broadcasting facilities
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
observation of the candidate operating master control in a large-scale or network broadcast facility
written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBWOR502A Ensure team effectiveness.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4134 | CUFBRD08A | Operate master control | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWJ82 | CUABRD501 | Operate master control | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D203 | CUF50307 | Diploma of Broadcast Technology | Qualification |
| D207 | CUF60107 | Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media | Qualification |