Unit of competency Outline
Information current as of
20/10/2026 5:31 PM AWST
20/10/2026 5:31 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.
Perform direct burial of cables
Perform direct burial of cables
Unit of competency
National Code
TLIW3005A
TLIW3005A
State Code
D5378
D5378
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
31/10/2014
Original Release Date
07/03/2011
Nominal Hours
20
Field of Education
031311 - Powerline Installation And Maintenance
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to perform the direct burial of cables in accordance with safeworking and regulatory requirements and workplace procedures including preparing the site, excavating the trench, preparing for directional boring, preparing the cable for installation, hauling and installing the cable, carrying out required tests, and completing all required documentation. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Prepare site
- 1.1 Proposed cable route is planned and documented after identifying existing below-ground services in preparation for trench excavation
- 1.2 Vegetation and other surface obstructions are removed and cable route is pegged out
- 1.3 Resources, including tools, equipment and specialised cable-laying equipment are identified ready for use
2Excavate trench
- 2.1 Stable excavation is carried out using excavating equipment in accordance with planned cable route, and trench is shored up where necessary to prevent unwanted subsidence
- 2.2 Excavation site is made safe through the erection of barriers and appropriate warning signs and bunting
3Prepare for directional boring
- 3.1 Site survey data is reviewed to determine suitable directional boring locations
- 3.2 Sites such as railway lines, drains, creeks and obstructions are assessed to provide detailed information for directional boring activities
- 3.3 Signs, barriers and bunting are erected to ensure site safety prior to directional boring activities
4Prepare cable for installation
- 4.1 Cable to be installed is checked against specifications to ensure correct cable is installed
- 4.2 Operational readiness of all tools and lifting equipment is verified to ensure efficient installation of cable
- 4.3 Cable ends are prepared for hauling to ensure entire length of cable is efficiently installed without any cable damage
5Haul cable
- 5.1 Cable-hauling equipment is checked and placed in correct hauling position, ensuring that winches, rollers and cable stockings are suitable for cable-hauling as per relevant specifications
- 5.2 Cable is hauled and placed into trench, ensuring that cable-hauling equipment operates within specifications and cable is installed without damage
6Install cable
- 6.1 Earth conductors are fitted as per specifications and protective cable cover is fitted prior to compacting the backfill in the trench
- 6.2 Erosion prevention procedures are applied and trench and joint markers are installed
- 6.3 Signal and telecommunications are separated to ensure compliance with AUSTEL regulations
7Test cables and document results
- 7.1 Cable ends are prepared for testing and testing procedures are applied using specified test equipment to confirm the cable circuit
- 7.2 Test results and as-laid cable plans are documented and distributed to appropriate personnel for recording or further action
- 7.3 Site works are completed and condition of site is reinstated to organisations requirements
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Operations may be conducted:
by day or night
in all possible weather conditions
Work may be conducted in:
restricted spaces
exposed conditions
controlled or open environments
Work may involve:
exposure to chemicals, and dangerous or hazardous substances
movements of equipment, goods and vehicles
Type of cable may include:
underground rated and approved copper
optical fibre
co-axial
Cable installation equipment may include:
spools
drums
feeders
slippers
hauling eyes
jinker
forklift
crane
cable cover strips or protection straps as per relevant specifications
Site safety hazards may include:
dangerous gases
water
soil
guards
barricades
lanterns
removal and placement of enclosure covers
handling of jelly-filled cables
Safety equipment may include:
witches hats
flashing lights
trench guards
warning signs and tapes
gas detector
Preparation may include:
trenching by:
hand
plant
excavator
backhoe
boring, including:
directional compaction
wet boring
sleeve boring
Hauling feeders may include:
rod
rope
air pressure
attachments such as stockings (mesh), splicing and hauling eye
Earth conductors may include:
stainless steel or copper as per relevant specifications
Hauling methods may include:
hand winch (hand and mechanical) using safety devices such as guards, slippers and two-way radios
Methods of sealing ends may include:
shrink-end caps
self-amalgamating tape
Installation requirements and constraints may include:
site conditions
condition of enclosures and pipe
availability of cable size and type
Communications equipment may include:
two-way radios, and/or
telephones
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
Depending on the work context, safety and protective equipment may include:
high visibility clothing
hearing protection
gloves
sunscreen
sunglasses
safety glasses
insect repellent
safety headwear
safety footwear
gumboots
portable radios
Information/documents may include:
applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines
operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures
relevant logs or record books
work orders
technical instructions
AUSTEL Technical Standards TS 008, TS 009
AUSTEL Customer Premises Cabling Manual
appropriate licences or certificates of competency (winch and/or crane, forklift)
manufacturers or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals
emergency procedure manuals
two-way radio operation procedures
QA plans, data and document control
conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant state/territory regulations, codes of practice and safeworking system requirements
relevant Australian Standards and related requirements, including AS 4292, AS 2865 and AS 3000
relevant Austel standards and regulations
relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
ADG Code and associated requirements
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Operations may be conducted:
by day or night
in all possible weather conditions
Work may be conducted in:
restricted spaces
exposed conditions
controlled or open environments
Work may involve:
exposure to chemicals, and dangerous or hazardous substances
movements of equipment, goods and vehicles
Type of cable may include:
underground rated and approved copper
optical fibre
co-axial
Cable installation equipment may include:
spools
drums
feeders
slippers
hauling eyes
jinker
forklift
crane
cable cover strips or protection straps as per relevant specifications
Site safety hazards may include:
dangerous gases
water
soil
guards
barricades
lanterns
removal and placement of enclosure covers
handling of jelly-filled cables
Safety equipment may include:
witches hats
flashing lights
trench guards
warning signs and tapes
gas detector
Preparation may include:
trenching by:
hand
plant
excavator
backhoe
boring, including:
directional compaction
wet boring
sleeve boring
Hauling feeders may include:
rod
rope
air pressure
attachments such as stockings (mesh), splicing and hauling eye
Earth conductors may include:
stainless steel or copper as per relevant specifications
Hauling methods may include:
hand winch (hand and mechanical) using safety devices such as guards, slippers and two-way radios
Methods of sealing ends may include:
shrink-end caps
self-amalgamating tape
Installation requirements and constraints may include:
site conditions
condition of enclosures and pipe
availability of cable size and type
Communications equipment may include:
two-way radios, and/or
telephones
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
Depending on the work context, safety and protective equipment may include:
high visibility clothing
hearing protection
gloves
sunscreen
sunglasses
safety glasses
insect repellent
safety headwear
safety footwear
gumboots
portable radios
Information/documents may include:
applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines
operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures
relevant logs or record books
work orders
technical instructions
AUSTEL Technical Standards TS 008, TS 009
AUSTEL Customer Premises Cabling Manual
appropriate licences or certificates of competency (winch and/or crane, forklift)
manufacturers or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals
emergency procedure manuals
two-way radio operation procedures
QA plans, data and document control
conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant state/territory regulations, codes of practice and safeworking system requirements
relevant Australian Standards and related requirements, including AS 4292, AS 2865 and AS 3000
relevant Austel standards and regulations
relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
ADG Code and associated requirements
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.
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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:
the underpinning knowledge and skills
relevant legislation and workplace procedures
other relevant aspects of the range statement
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
Method of assessment
Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
Practical assessment must occur:
through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.
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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:
the underpinning knowledge and skills
relevant legislation and workplace procedures
other relevant aspects of the range statement
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
Method of assessment
Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
Practical assessment must occur:
through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
No information