Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What type of business structure is found in this industry?
Business structures may include sole trader, partnership, company, and family trust.

What taxation requirements would be relevant?
Australian Business Number, Tax File Number, GST registration, PAYG and withholding arrangements as well as relevant taxation requirements for the business structure.

What sort of administrative procedures would be relevant?
Administrative procedures may include record keeping, compliance requirements diary/register, confidentiality and security of information.

Who may be a member of the business unit?
Members may include owners, managers, employees, operators, family members and partners.

How might the roles and responsibilities be communicated?
Communication may include verbal presentations in a language appropriate to the audience, written formats within organisational procedures and guidelines, and diagrammatically as part of the organisational chart.

What is meant by succession and estate planning within this industry context?
Succession and estate planning may include determining who takes on particular roles within the family rural business in the event of death, retirement, departure, disability, and illness. These events may also require the distribution of assets and a re-structuring of the business.

What sort of stress management strategies might be used to reduce stress?
Strategies may include personal health and fitness programs, relaxation techniques, time management techniques, allocated discussion time with family members, planned breaks from the farm business, informal and formal training, networking, and seeking advice from rural support groups.

In the rural industry what are potential causes of stress?
Causes of stress may include external factors such as falling product prices, interest rate rises, overall farm indebtedness, impact of overseas trade policies, and natural disasters including environmental issues.
Internal factors may include relationship breakdown, illness, death, and product failure.

What rural networks and support groups are relevant to this industry?
Rural networks include the National Farmers Federation (NFF), which is made up of State farm organizations, commodity councils, and associate and affiliate members. Commodity Councils include Australian Cane Growers Association, Australian Council of Egg Producers, and Australian Dairy Farmers Federation, Australian Wheatgrowers Federation, Cattle Council of Australia, Ricegrowers Association of Australia, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, Tobacco Growers Council and the Wool Council of Australia.
Support groups and programs include the Commonwealth Department of Primary Industries and Energy (Countrylink program), NFF's strategy for Australia's Agrifood Industries - New Horizons, State Departments of Agriculture or Primary Industry, rural counsellors, rural debt mediators, CSIRO, universities and other rural research organizations such as the Agricultural Bureau, Women in Agriculture and Business, Country Womens' Association and other non-political rural organizations, such as accountants, solicitors, and financial institutions.

What sorts of networking opportunities are there within this industry?
Networking may include team meetings, attending formal and informal information sessions conducted by commodity groups and/or professional associations, conferences, seminars, formal and informal training, internet discussion groups, rural business social functions, and peer groups.

What type of business structure is found in this industry?
Business structures may include sole trader, partnership, company, and family trust.

What taxation requirements would be relevant?
Australian Business Number, Tax File Number, GST registration, PAYG and withholding arrangements as well as relevant taxation requirements for the business structure.

What sort of administrative procedures would be relevant?
Administrative procedures may include record keeping, compliance requirements diary/register, confidentiality and security of information.

Who may be a member of the business unit?
Members may include owners, managers, employees, operators, family members and partners.

How might the roles and responsibilities be communicated?
Communication may include verbal presentations in a language appropriate to the audience, written formats within organisational procedures and guidelines, and diagrammatically as part of the organisational chart.

What is meant by succession and estate planning within this industry context?
Succession and estate planning may include determining who takes on particular roles within the family rural business in the event of death, retirement, departure, disability, and illness. These events may also require the distribution of assets and a re-structuring of the business.

What sort of stress management strategies might be used to reduce stress?
Strategies may include personal health and fitness programs, relaxation techniques, time management techniques, allocated discussion time with family members, planned breaks from the farm business, informal and formal training, networking, and seeking advice from rural support groups.

In the rural industry what are potential causes of stress?
Causes of stress may include external factors such as falling product prices, interest rate rises, overall farm indebtedness, impact of overseas trade policies, and natural disasters including environmental issues.
Internal factors may include relationship breakdown, illness, death, and product failure.

What rural networks and support groups are relevant to this industry?
Rural networks include the National Farmers Federation (NFF), which is made up of State farm organizations, commodity councils, and associate and affiliate members. Commodity Councils include Australian Cane Growers Association, Australian Council of Egg Producers, and Australian Dairy Farmers Federation, Australian Wheatgrowers Federation, Cattle Council of Australia, Ricegrowers Association of Australia, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, Tobacco Growers Council and the Wool Council of Australia.
Support groups and programs include the Commonwealth Department of Primary Industries and Energy (Countrylink program), NFF's strategy for Australia's Agrifood Industries - New Horizons, State Departments of Agriculture or Primary Industry, rural counsellors, rural debt mediators, CSIRO, universities and other rural research organizations such as the Agricultural Bureau, Women in Agriculture and Business, Country Womens' Association and other non-political rural organizations, such as accountants, solicitors, and financial institutions.

What sorts of networking opportunities are there within this industry?
Networking may include team meetings, attending formal and informal information sessions conducted by commodity groups and/or professional associations, conferences, seminars, formal and informal training, internet discussion groups, rural business social functions, and peer groups.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in supporting and reviewing business structures and relationships requires evidence that the roles and responsibilities of family members in a rural business are clearly defined and communicated, stress management strategies are developed and implemented, and rural networks and support groups are accessed as required.
The skills and knowledge required to support and review business structures and relationships must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of family-owned rural or non-rural based agricultural or horticultural businesses.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

relevant legislation and statutory requirements including those relating to OHS and anti-discrimination
organisational structure
organisations policies, plans and procedures
environmental policies and procedures including sustainable energy work practices and techniques
principles of effective communication in relation to listening, questioning and non-verbal communication
workplace communication channels
principles and techniques to use feedback to achieve positive outcomes
rural networks and support groups
stressors in the rural business environment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

effectively communicate with internal and external clients and organisations
research and identify appropriate bodies and sources of information
negotiate and resolve disputes
utilise technology
prepare written documentation
implement strategies to resolve problems
implement OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

relevant legislation and statutory requirements including those relating to OHS and anti-discrimination
organisational structure
organisations policies, plans and procedures
environmental policies and procedures including sustainable energy work practices and techniques
principles of effective communication in relation to listening, questioning and non-verbal communication
workplace communication channels
principles and techniques to use feedback to achieve positive outcomes
rural networks and support groups
stressors in the rural business environment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

effectively communicate with internal and external clients and organisations
research and identify appropriate bodies and sources of information
negotiate and resolve disputes
utilise technology
prepare written documentation
implement strategies to resolve problems
implement OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By clearly explaining to family members and staff the purpose of defining roles and responsibilities within the business. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
By clearly explaining to family members and staff the purpose of defining roles and responsibilities within the business. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering information on the role and function of external support bodies and making this available in a logical ordered manner. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering information on the role and function of external support bodies and making this available in a logical ordered manner. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By developing a plan, which includes strategies for reducing stress. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By developing a plan, which includes strategies for reducing stress. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By all staff and family members encouraged to participate in activities. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By all staff and family members encouraged to participate in activities. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating exposure to risk. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating exposure to risk. (2)

Solving problems
By identifying the potential stress factors on individuals and the business as a whole and developing strategies to minimise their impact. (2)

Solving problems
By identifying the potential stress factors on individuals and the business as a whole and developing strategies to minimise their impact. (2)

Using technology
By sourcing information and networking on the internet, and recording outcomes electronically. (2)

Using technology
By sourcing information and networking on the internet, and recording outcomes electronically. (2)