Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit applies to guides working in all sectors of the tourism industry.
The following lists and statements identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.
Information on Australia and the local region must include all those items listed in the Evidence Guide.
Informal and formal research, opportunities to update knowledge or sources of information may include:
talking and listening to local experts
talking and listening to traditional owners
personal on site observation/exploration
organising information from own memory and experiences
watching TV, videos and films
listening to radio
reading newspapers, books and other references
Internet
industry association membership
attending seminars or conferences.
Personal reference materials and filing systems may include:
card reference systems
computerised database of information
notes based around different themes or characters
notes for specific touring routes or locations
notes for specific customer interests
notes for particular types of customer group (e.g. from particular countries, special interests)
chronologies of major events
storylines
customer profiles (e.g. interest profiles for particular age groups, nationalities).
This unit applies to guides working in all sectors of the tourism industry.
The following lists and statements identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.
Information on Australia and the local region must include all those items listed in the Evidence Guide.
Informal and formal research, opportunities to update knowledge or sources of information may include:
talking and listening to local experts
talking and listening to traditional owners
personal on site observation/exploration
organising information from own memory and experiences
watching TV, videos and films
listening to radio
reading newspapers, books and other references
Internet
industry association membership
attending seminars or conferences.
Personal reference materials and filing systems may include:
card reference systems
computerised database of information
notes based around different themes or characters
notes for specific touring routes or locations
notes for specific customer interests
notes for particular types of customer group (e.g. from particular countries, special interests)
chronologies of major events
storylines
customer profiles (e.g. interest profiles for particular age groups, nationalities).

Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
General knowledge of Australia and the local region including:
climate (weather patterns including any extreme conditions, impact of climate on lifestyle, stories associated with climate in a local area)
geography and geology (major land formations/landmarks/natural attractions and their key features for both Australia and the local region)
history (historical development of Australia and the local region, major historical events and prominent individuals, key dates, overview of Australian Indigenous history)
architecture (major styles and their proponents, key buildings and structures both in Australia and the local area)
cultural elements (overview of indigenous cultures within Australia, different cultures within Australia and the local area, cultural activities, local customs)
art, theatre, music and literature (key Australian performers, writers and artists, major works by Australians, major cultural events)
religion (religious make-up of Australian and the local area, religious practices)
natural environment and tourism (how the environment is a tourism asset, impacts of tourism on the environment, land management in Australia including the role of National Parks)
flora and fauna (overview of native flora and fauna, their characteristics and key locations)
government and politics (general structure, political parties, major political figures, current political issues)
transport (main transport systems, usage of different forms of transport across Australia, historical development of different forms of transport)
agriculture (Australia's history as a primary producer, key products of Australia, current issues)
science and technology (Australia's contribution both past and present, prominent individuals, key discoveries)
sport (main Australian sporting activities, Australia's sporting record, local sporting focus, sporting facilities, sporting comparisons with other countries or areas)
economy (overview of current state of the economy, key features of the local economy and local industry)
trade (Australia's key exports and its main trading partners)
education (overview of school and higher education systems, comparisons of systems to those of other countries or States)
food (local dishes and produce)
wine (Australian wine styles, major wine areas)
lifestyle (key features of the day-to-day living patterns of Australians and local people, family and social customs)
shopping (key locations, local products)
tourism services and local facilities of interest to visitors (currency exchange locations, tour booking offices, accommodation, attractions, banks, dry cleaners, medical facilities)
current events in Australia and the local region.
Linkages to Other Units
This unit must be assessed with the following unit. This unit describes the skills and knowledge that are essential to this unit of competence:
THTFTG06B Prepare and present interpretive tour commentaries or activities
This unit also underpins effective performance in all other guiding units and combined assessment and/or training with those units is strongly recommended.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical:
knowledge of Australia and the local region as specified in the Evidence Guide and to a level of depth and familiarity sufficient to:
develop a coherent and interesting interpretation for customers
answer the typical questions asked by customers on the given topic
ability to source and update relevant information to meet differing customer needs and to incorporate this information in interpretive commentaries and activities
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of relevant knowledge through the presentation of an interpretive commentary or activity within an operational and commercially realistic guiding environment (e.g. at a tourist site, on a coach)
interaction with and involvement of a customer group (of appropriate size and nature for the local workplace) with whom knowledge can be shared
presentation of activity or commentary on more than one topic and within more than one environment to ensure that knowledge and skills can be adapted to different guiding contexts.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that the application of knowledge to guiding and interpretive activities can be practically demonstrated. Methods must include assessment of knowledge as well as assessment of practical skills.
The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate using knowledge to deliver an interpretive commentary or activity
questioning of group members on their response to the candidate's breadth of knowledge and ability to delivery that knowledge in an interesting way
review of a research portfolio to assess the candidate's ability to research current and accurate information
oral and written questions to assess the way in which the research process has been used
oral or written questions to assess key knowledge of Australia and the local area
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Key Competencies in this Unit
Key Competencies are an integral part of all workplace competencies. The table below describes those applicable to this unit. Trainers and assessors should ensure that they are addressed in training and assessment.
Level 1 = Perform Level 2 = Administer and Manage Level 3 = Design and Evaluate
Key Competencies
Collecting, Organising and Analysing Information
For example:
Reviewing media reports for information to include in upcoming tour activities (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Deciding on the way in which humour can be used in relation to a given topic (2)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Developing a card reference system and updating mechanism for information on different parts of Australia (2)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Discussing changing customer trends and interests with fellow guides (2)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
Not Applicable
Solving Problems
For example:
Resolving a situation where two sources provide conflicting information (1)
Using Technology
For example:
Using the Internet to access current information on a given topic or location (1)
Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
General knowledge of Australia and the local region including:
climate (weather patterns including any extreme conditions, impact of climate on lifestyle, stories associated with climate in a local area)
geography and geology (major land formations/landmarks/natural attractions and their key features for both Australia and the local region)
history (historical development of Australia and the local region, major historical events and prominent individuals, key dates, overview of Australian Indigenous history)
architecture (major styles and their proponents, key buildings and structures both in Australia and the local area)
cultural elements (overview of indigenous cultures within Australia, different cultures within Australia and the local area, cultural activities, local customs)
art, theatre, music and literature (key Australian performers, writers and artists, major works by Australians, major cultural events)
religion (religious make-up of Australian and the local area, religious practices)
natural environment and tourism (how the environment is a tourism asset, impacts of tourism on the environment, land management in Australia including the role of National Parks)
flora and fauna (overview of native flora and fauna, their characteristics and key locations)
government and politics (general structure, political parties, major political figures, current political issues)
transport (main transport systems, usage of different forms of transport across Australia, historical development of different forms of transport)
agriculture (Australia's history as a primary producer, key products of Australia, current issues)
science and technology (Australia's contribution both past and present, prominent individuals, key discoveries)
sport (main Australian sporting activities, Australia's sporting record, local sporting focus, sporting facilities, sporting comparisons with other countries or areas)
economy (overview of current state of the economy, key features of the local economy and local industry)
trade (Australia's key exports and its main trading partners)
education (overview of school and higher education systems, comparisons of systems to those of other countries or States)
food (local dishes and produce)
wine (Australian wine styles, major wine areas)
lifestyle (key features of the day-to-day living patterns of Australians and local people, family and social customs)
shopping (key locations, local products)
tourism services and local facilities of interest to visitors (currency exchange locations, tour booking offices, accommodation, attractions, banks, dry cleaners, medical facilities)
current events in Australia and the local region.
Linkages to Other Units
This unit must be assessed with the following unit. This unit describes the skills and knowledge that are essential to this unit of competence:
THTFTG06B Prepare and present interpretive tour commentaries or activities
This unit also underpins effective performance in all other guiding units and combined assessment and/or training with those units is strongly recommended.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical:
knowledge of Australia and the local region as specified in the Evidence Guide and to a level of depth and familiarity sufficient to:
develop a coherent and interesting interpretation for customers
answer the typical questions asked by customers on the given topic
ability to source and update relevant information to meet differing customer needs and to incorporate this information in interpretive commentaries and activities
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of relevant knowledge through the presentation of an interpretive commentary or activity within an operational and commercially realistic guiding environment (e.g. at a tourist site, on a coach)
interaction with and involvement of a customer group (of appropriate size and nature for the local workplace) with whom knowledge can be shared
presentation of activity or commentary on more than one topic and within more than one environment to ensure that knowledge and skills can be adapted to different guiding contexts.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that the application of knowledge to guiding and interpretive activities can be practically demonstrated. Methods must include assessment of knowledge as well as assessment of practical skills.
The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate using knowledge to deliver an interpretive commentary or activity
questioning of group members on their response to the candidate's breadth of knowledge and ability to delivery that knowledge in an interesting way
review of a research portfolio to assess the candidate's ability to research current and accurate information
oral and written questions to assess the way in which the research process has been used
oral or written questions to assess key knowledge of Australia and the local area
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Key Competencies in this Unit
Key Competencies are an integral part of all workplace competencies. The table below describes those applicable to this unit. Trainers and assessors should ensure that they are addressed in training and assessment.
Level 1 = Perform Level 2 = Administer and Manage Level 3 = Design and Evaluate
Key Competencies
Collecting, Organising and Analysing Information
For example:
Reviewing media reports for information to include in upcoming tour activities (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Deciding on the way in which humour can be used in relation to a given topic (2)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Developing a card reference system and updating mechanism for information on different parts of Australia (2)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Discussing changing customer trends and interests with fellow guides (2)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
Not Applicable
Solving Problems
For example:
Resolving a situation where two sources provide conflicting information (1)
Using Technology
For example:
Using the Internet to access current information on a given topic or location (1)