Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:27 PM AWST
22/07/2026 4:27 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.
Develop a composting recipe
Develop a composting recipe
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCCOM401A
AHCCOM401A
State Code
D6795
D6795
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
11/01/2012
Field of Education
050301 - Horticulture
Original Release Date
11/01/2012
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit covers developing a composting recipe and defines the standard required to: calculate a compost recipe that is consistent with the technology and method available from combinations of raw materials; produce a compost recipe that will achieve defined product specifications; document compost production plan consistent with plant capabilities and site constraints.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify and characterise raw materials
- 1.1. Raw materials are visually identified and categorised against established enterprise criteria.
- 1.2. Raw material characteristics are entered into enterprise compost recipe calculator to achieve a balanced recipe.
- 1.3. Where raw material identity or characteristics are uncertain or, designated personnel are requested to take representative samples of material for laboratory analysis.
- 1.4. Receivable and handling requirements for raw materials are determined.
2. Establish production objectives
- 2.1. Identified market requirements and priorities are translated into product specifications using product performance data and enterprise records.
- 2.2. Raw material combinations that can potentially meet market requirements are identified.
3. Calculate compost recipe
- 3.1. Raw material characteristics are recorded in enterprise compost recipe.
- 3.2. Raw material proportions or ratios suitable for composting by the enterprise by a particular technology and method are specified by weight in resulting compost recipe.
- 3.3. Pre-processing requirements of raw materials, feasible volumes of compost upon formation, and compost production plan are determined.
- 3.4. Composting batch management procedures are reviewed and any required variations to standard management procedures are defined and documented as a new procedure.
- 3.5. Compost production schedule is estimated and documented.
- 3.6. Compatibility of resulting compost recipe and production schedule is confirmed against documented customer requirements and priorities.
- 3.7. Density of pre-processed raw materials is quantified, and weight-based recipe is translated into volume-based recipe for production.
- 3.8. Volumetric compost recipe and production procedures are recorded as operational batch or bucket recipe and procedure.
4. Validate compost recipe
- 4.1. Raw materials are pre-prepared and mixed according to new compost recipe to form feedstock for composting.
- 4.2. Composting batch is managed according to revised enterprise procedure.
- 4.3. Composting process is monitored for efficiency in relation to estimated production schedule and enterprise requirements.
- 4.4. Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) aspects and impacts are monitored for compliance with enterprise plan and regulatory requirements.
- 4.5. Faults, variations or problems observed at any stage of process are identified and remedial action is carried out to maintain effective compost production.
- 4.6. Sampling and testing of material during composting is conducted to determine completion of production process.
- 4.7. End product quality is evaluated against established product specifications.
- 4.8. Compost recipe, production schedule and procedures are revised to improve process efficiency and reliability, and product compliance with defined specifications.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Composting recipes may include:
those recipes from documented formulas to prepare and mix raw materials of known characteristics in specified proportions for composting.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Composting recipes may include:
those recipes from documented formulas to prepare and mix raw materials of known characteristics in specified proportions for composting.
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
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
calculate a compost recipe that is consistent with the technology and method available from combinations of raw materials
produce a compost recipe that will achieve defined product specifications
document compost production plan consistent with plant capabilities and site constraints.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
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
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
calculate a compost recipe that is consistent with the technology and method available from combinations of raw materials
produce a compost recipe that will achieve defined product specifications
document compost production plan consistent with plant capabilities and site constraints.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S6276 | RTE4519A | Develop a composting recipe | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAR53 | AHCCOM401 | Develop a composting recipe | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D489 | AHC32210 | Certificate III in Commercial Composting | Qualification |