Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:43 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:43 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.
Carry out a precision survey
Carry out a precision survey
Unit of competency
National Code
CPPSIS5057A
CPPSIS5057A
State Code
WE812
WE812
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/10/2013
Field of Education
031101 - Surveying
Original Release Date
25/10/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to apply specialised techniques, instruments and instrument attachments for the purpose of carrying out precise setting out and industrial surveys. It requires the ability to use instruments or techniques to carry out precision surveys. Functions would be carried out within organisational guidelines.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Set up precise levelling and reduce the results of a precise levelling run.
- 1.1 Objectives for precision survey are defined.
- 1.2 Pertinent standards are identified, considered and adhered to according to precision surveyingproject specifications.
- 1.3 Organisational documented and undocumented practices are adhered to.
- 1.4 OHS requirements are planned for and adhered to.
- 1.5 Constructional features of the equipment and thespecialised attachments necessary to achieve the requirements of precise levelling are determined.
- 1.6 Accuracy specifications as set out in the survey precision instructions or the manufacturer specifications for tolerances relevant to precise levelling are determined.
- 1.7 Precise levelling run of an accuracy consistent with the current relevant accuracy standard is carried out and results are calculated and recorded according to organisational guidelines.
2 Apply specialised techniques used for precise setting out and industrial surveys.
- 2.1 Applications of specialised surveying techniques used for precise setting out and optical tooling are determined.
- 2.2 Applications of specialised instruments and instrument attachments used for precise setting out are determined.
- 2.3 Remote measuring systems to be used in the industrial measurement are determined.
- 2.4 Set out and observations using instruments and attachments suitable for precise setting out are conducted.
3 Detect and monitor deflection and deformation of structures.
- 3.1 Survey methods used to check horizontal movement of engineering structures and instruments used to monitor verticality of tall structures are determined.
- 3.2 Survey methods used to check vertical movement due to settlement of engineering structures caused by tunnelling and mining are determined.
- 3.3 Precision survey of an accuracy that will detect and monitor deformation or deflection of an engineering structure is carried out.
4 Document results.
- 4.1 Results of the survey are presented to relevant personnel according to organisational guidelines.
- 4.2 Required documentation is completed promptly, accurately and according to organisational guidelines.
- 4.3 Spatial data is archived according to project specifications.
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. 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.
Objectives may include:
agreed client requirements
written survey data specifications.
Pertinent standards are standards essential to the accuracy of:
calculation of horizontal and vertical information
measurement and recording.
Precision surveying may include:
accuracy standards and field procedures for highprecision horizontal and vertical control surveys, including high-precision global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveys
application of optical and electromagnetic measuring principles and techniques
computation of three-dimensional coordinates and coordinate changes by intersection methods
error analysis of survey measurements (angle, distance and height difference)
deformation and tunneling surveys and analysis, preanalysis and design of survey projects
laser scanner methods
scale bar on target methods.
Project specifications refer to:
detailed technical descriptions of the survey data and its requirements.
Organisational documented and undocumented practices may include:
appropriate timelines
data processing requirements
final product formats
formal design parameters
teamwork.
OHS may include:
Australian standards
development of site safety plan
identification of potential hazards
inspection of work sites
training staff in OHS requirements
use of personal protective clothing
use of safety equipment and signage.
Equipment and specialised attachments may include:
electronic theodolites
GNSS
gyro-theodolite
laser technologies
levels
optical reading instruments
tapes
total station (reflectorless)
total station (theodolite function).
Precise levelling may include:
effects of curvature and refraction on levelling
geodetic relationships of the size and shape of the earth
sources of errors in precise angle observations and the techniques used to minimise their effects
use of statistics to analyse geodetic observations, values and positional results.
Manufacturer specifications may include:
equipment specifications
operator manuals.
Organisational guidelines may include:
code of ethics
company policy
legislation relevant to the work or service function
manuals
OHS policies and procedures
personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles and responsibilities.
Optical tooling may include:
auto collimation
auto reflection
collimation.
Specialised instruments and instrument attachments may include:
auto collimation and laser eyepieces
hollow axis theodolites
parallel plate micrometers
pentaprism attachments
specialised instrument stands
stage plates
tooling bars
zenith and nadir auto plumb instruments.
Remote measuring systems may include:
precise intersection techniques
robotic instruments
terrestrial photogrammetry.
Survey methods may include:
inertial surveying
remote surveying:
airborne electromagnetic radiation (EMR) imagery
robotic total station
terrestrial photogrammetry.
Relevant personnel may include:
managers
site personnel such as field hands
supervisors
surveyors.
Required documentation may include:
field records
final product reports
survey plots.
Objectives may include:
agreed client requirements
written survey data specifications.
Pertinent standards are standards essential to the accuracy of:
calculation of horizontal and vertical information
measurement and recording.
Precision surveying may include:
accuracy standards and field procedures for highprecision horizontal and vertical control surveys, including high-precision global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveys
application of optical and electromagnetic measuring principles and techniques
computation of three-dimensional coordinates and coordinate changes by intersection methods
error analysis of survey measurements (angle, distance and height difference)
deformation and tunneling surveys and analysis, preanalysis and design of survey projects
laser scanner methods
scale bar on target methods.
Project specifications refer to:
detailed technical descriptions of the survey data and its requirements.
Organisational documented and undocumented practices may include:
appropriate timelines
data processing requirements
final product formats
formal design parameters
teamwork.
OHS may include:
Australian standards
development of site safety plan
identification of potential hazards
inspection of work sites
training staff in OHS requirements
use of personal protective clothing
use of safety equipment and signage.
Equipment and specialised attachments may include:
electronic theodolites
GNSS
gyro-theodolite
laser technologies
levels
optical reading instruments
tapes
total station (reflectorless)
total station (theodolite function).
Precise levelling may include:
effects of curvature and refraction on levelling
geodetic relationships of the size and shape of the earth
sources of errors in precise angle observations and the techniques used to minimise their effects
use of statistics to analyse geodetic observations, values and positional results.
Manufacturer specifications may include:
equipment specifications
operator manuals.
Organisational guidelines may include:
code of ethics
company policy
legislation relevant to the work or service function
manuals
OHS policies and procedures
personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles and responsibilities.
Optical tooling may include:
auto collimation
auto reflection
collimation.
Specialised instruments and instrument attachments may include:
auto collimation and laser eyepieces
hollow axis theodolites
parallel plate micrometers
pentaprism attachments
specialised instrument stands
stage plates
tooling bars
zenith and nadir auto plumb instruments.
Remote measuring systems may include:
precise intersection techniques
robotic instruments
terrestrial photogrammetry.
Survey methods may include:
inertial surveying
remote surveying:
airborne electromagnetic radiation (EMR) imagery
robotic total station
terrestrial photogrammetry.
Relevant personnel may include:
managers
site personnel such as field hands
supervisors
surveyors.
Required documentation may include:
field records
final product reports
survey plots.
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.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example CPPSIS5048A Conduct an engineering survey, and CPPSIS5049A Conduct an engineering surveying project.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:
assessing and recording computations from varied sources
demonstrating operational knowledge in a broad range of areas relating to traverse computations
applying mathematical principles and skills to a range of advanced surveying related problems
understanding mathematical concepts and techniques
understanding purpose of numerically solving advanced surveying problems
understanding requirement for accuracy in precision surveying calculations
defining terms used in calculations.
Specific resources for assessment
Resource implications for assessment include access to:
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book
assignment instructions, work plans and schedules, policy documents and duty statements
registered training provider of assessment services
relevant guidelines, regulations and codes of practice
suitable venue and equipment.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Context of assessment
Holistic: based on the performance criteria, evidence guide, range statement, and required skills and knowledge.
Method of assessment
Demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment).
Demonstrated competency in a range of situations, that may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing induction information. If this is not practicable, observation in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment requires that the clients’ objectives and industry expectations are met. If the clients’ objectives are narrowly defined or not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of surveying and spatial information services requirements to assess competency.
Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge (in assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning or written assessment, questions are to be identical).
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.
All practical demonstration must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each State or Territory.
Where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (recognition of current competencies [RCC] or recognition of prior learning [RPL]), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.
Assessment processes will be appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example CPPSIS5048A Conduct an engineering survey, and CPPSIS5049A Conduct an engineering surveying project.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:
assessing and recording computations from varied sources
demonstrating operational knowledge in a broad range of areas relating to traverse computations
applying mathematical principles and skills to a range of advanced surveying related problems
understanding mathematical concepts and techniques
understanding purpose of numerically solving advanced surveying problems
understanding requirement for accuracy in precision surveying calculations
defining terms used in calculations.
Specific resources for assessment
Resource implications for assessment include access to:
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book
assignment instructions, work plans and schedules, policy documents and duty statements
registered training provider of assessment services
relevant guidelines, regulations and codes of practice
suitable venue and equipment.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Context of assessment
Holistic: based on the performance criteria, evidence guide, range statement, and required skills and knowledge.
Method of assessment
Demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment).
Demonstrated competency in a range of situations, that may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing induction information. If this is not practicable, observation in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment requires that the clients’ objectives and industry expectations are met. If the clients’ objectives are narrowly defined or not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of surveying and spatial information services requirements to assess competency.
Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge (in assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning or written assessment, questions are to be identical).
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.
All practical demonstration must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each State or Territory.
Where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (recognition of current competencies [RCC] or recognition of prior learning [RPL]), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.
Assessment processes will be appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1537 | CPPSIS5027A | Carry out a precision survey | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXE99 | CPPSIS5057 | Conduct precision surveys | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB714 | CPPSS00026 | Perform Applied Engineering Surveying Skill Set | Skill set |
| J360 | CPP60312 | Advanced Diploma of Surveying | Qualification |
| J357 | CPP50112 | Diploma of Surveying | Qualification |