Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:47 PM AWST
22/07/2026 7:47 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.
Maintain a mortuary service
Maintain a mortuary service
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTMT303D
HLTMT303D
State Code
WD194
WD194
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/07/2012
Field of Education
110399 - Personal Services, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
30/07/2012
Nominal Hours
25
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required for a mortuary worker to maintain the day-to-day operation of a hospital or forensic mortuary involving the receipt and release of deceased persons, preparing deceased persons for viewing and maintaining the mortuary environment
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Receive bodies at mortuary
- 1.1 Undertake thorough and complete checking processes to ensure identification and confirmation with records
- 1.2 Transfer from trolley according to organisation policy and procedures
- 1.3 Process documentation and registration in accordance with legal requirements and established procedures
- 1.4 Store body in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
- 1.5 Follow infection control policy and procedures strictly
2. Prepare bodies for viewing
- 2.1 Select and prepare equipment and materials
- 2.2 Use personal protective equipment
- 2.3 Prepare and present body is in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
- 2.4 Treat body with respect and, where practicable, in accordance with cultural requirements
- 2.5 Maintain correct lines of communication with key personnel
- 2.6 Show empathy to bereaved family and friends
- 2.7 Store body in refrigeration cabinets in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
3. Maintain the mortuary environment
- 3.1 Clean the mortuary environment according to organisation policy and procedures
- 3.2 Dispose of waste according to organisation policy and procedures and taking into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues
- 3.3 Maintain inventory of linen, consumables and stock and replenish in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
4. Release bodies to Funeral Director/Conveyor
- 4.1 Liaise with key internal and external personnel
- 4.2 Undertake thorough and complete checking processes to ensure identification and confirmation with records
- 4.3 Process documentation in accordance with established procedures
5. Follow security requirements
- 5.1 Handle and safeguard evidence or potential evidence
- 5.2 Follow security procedures
- 5.3 Liaise with internal and external personnel as required
- 5.4 Maintain visitor register as required and checked to ensure accuracy
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Checking processesmust include:
Identification of body
Search of body and clothing procedures
Recording of valuables, identification documents and other items found with and on the body
Identification and recording of scars, tattoos and distinctive features
Documentation may include or relate to:
Completion of Mortuary Register (computer or manual)
Legal documents (e.g. death certificates, cremation forms, Coroner's approval)
Record of Release
Overseas burials
Donation to Science documents
Medical Records
Receipts for Medical Records
Organisation documents (e.g. request for hospital autopsy form)
Records of valuables and items found with and on the body
Legal requirements may include:
State/territory laws concerning coroner's matters
Receipt, handling and storage of bodies in a mortuary
Organisation policy and procedures may relate to:
Identification procedures
Safe keeping of valuables
Work health and safety (WHS)
Waste handling and disposal
Manual handling
Cleaning and use of cleaning chemicals
Infection control
Preparation of bodies for viewing
Viewing of bodies by relatives and others
Documentation
Security
Training
Confidentiality
Admission and release of bodies
Storage of deceased persons
Stock requisitions
Stock control
Stocktaking
Authority to incur expenditure
Infection control policy and procedures may relate to:
Standard and additional precautions
Cleaning procedures
Cleaning of surfaces and equipment
Use of cleaning chemicals
Personal protective equipment
Standards of hygiene
Disposal of clinical and other wastes
Equipment may include:
Head rests
Drapes
Sheets
Pillows
Shrouds
Cleaning materials
Personal protective equipment may include:
Face protection
Eye protection
Gown
Apron
Surgical suits
Gloves
Protective footwear
Cultural requirements may relate to:
Religious beliefs and practices in relation to death
Ethnic beliefs/practices in relation to death
Beliefs and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in relation to death
Key internal and external personnel may include:
Hospital Medical staff
Relatives
Management
Pathologist
Government medical officer
Other relevant medical practitioners
Coroner/coroner's officers
Nursing staff
Police
Social worker
Medical students
Funeral director/conveyor
Mortuary environment may include:
Autopsy room
Viewing room
Admission Room
Refrigeration
Waiting room
Changes areas and staff room
Wet areas
Autopsy bench and drains
Tables
Floors
Walls
Storage areas
Vehicle delivery/collection bay
Waste may include:
Human tissue
Clinical wastes
General waste
Toxic waste
Security procedures may relate to:
Retained tissue
Specimens
Documents and records
Information concerning the deceased
Photographs
Items found with body
Confidentiality
Entry control
Key control
Physical security
Authorisation of entry
Checking processesmust include:
Identification of body
Search of body and clothing procedures
Recording of valuables, identification documents and other items found with and on the body
Identification and recording of scars, tattoos and distinctive features
Documentation may include or relate to:
Completion of Mortuary Register (computer or manual)
Legal documents (e.g. death certificates, cremation forms, Coroner's approval)
Record of Release
Overseas burials
Donation to Science documents
Medical Records
Receipts for Medical Records
Organisation documents (e.g. request for hospital autopsy form)
Records of valuables and items found with and on the body
Legal requirements may include:
State/territory laws concerning coroner's matters
Receipt, handling and storage of bodies in a mortuary
Organisation policy and procedures may relate to:
Identification procedures
Safe keeping of valuables
Work health and safety (WHS)
Waste handling and disposal
Manual handling
Cleaning and use of cleaning chemicals
Infection control
Preparation of bodies for viewing
Viewing of bodies by relatives and others
Documentation
Security
Training
Confidentiality
Admission and release of bodies
Storage of deceased persons
Stock requisitions
Stock control
Stocktaking
Authority to incur expenditure
Infection control policy and procedures may relate to:
Standard and additional precautions
Cleaning procedures
Cleaning of surfaces and equipment
Use of cleaning chemicals
Personal protective equipment
Standards of hygiene
Disposal of clinical and other wastes
Equipment may include:
Head rests
Drapes
Sheets
Pillows
Shrouds
Cleaning materials
Personal protective equipment may include:
Face protection
Eye protection
Gown
Apron
Surgical suits
Gloves
Protective footwear
Cultural requirements may relate to:
Religious beliefs and practices in relation to death
Ethnic beliefs/practices in relation to death
Beliefs and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in relation to death
Key internal and external personnel may include:
Hospital Medical staff
Relatives
Management
Pathologist
Government medical officer
Other relevant medical practitioners
Coroner/coroner's officers
Nursing staff
Police
Social worker
Medical students
Funeral director/conveyor
Mortuary environment may include:
Autopsy room
Viewing room
Admission Room
Refrigeration
Waiting room
Changes areas and staff room
Wet areas
Autopsy bench and drains
Tables
Floors
Walls
Storage areas
Vehicle delivery/collection bay
Waste may include:
Human tissue
Clinical wastes
General waste
Toxic waste
Security procedures may relate to:
Retained tissue
Specimens
Documents and records
Information concerning the deceased
Photographs
Items found with body
Confidentiality
Entry control
Key control
Physical security
Authorisation of entry
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace under the normal range of workplace conditions
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation of work activities
Observation of simulation and/or role play
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/questioning
Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Relevant legislation
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other mortuary units of competency is encouraged
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 Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace under the normal range of workplace conditions
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation of work activities
Observation of simulation and/or role play
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/questioning
Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Relevant legislation
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other mortuary units of competency is encouraged
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8334 | HLTMT303C | Maintain a mortuary service | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J065 | HLT32512 | Certificate III in Health Services Assistance | Qualification |
| J060 | HLT32012 | Certificate III in Mortuary Theatre Practice | Qualification |