Elements and Performance Criteria

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Cultural knowledgemay include:
Aboriginal land, landscape features, rivers, lakes and sea resources and their uses, and the relationships between plants, animals and individuals, clans and Community
Aboriginal beliefs, values, spirituality, language, lore/law, customs, gender roles, kinship networks, factions, moieties, and speaking rights
ceremonies, rituals, stories, song, dance and art
traditional and current land management practices
Aboriginal-sites, places, artefacts, objects, material and landscapes
names, locations and meanings
Aboriginal cultural protocols
Aboriginal cultural heritage
the cultural significance of Aboriginal knowledge
Cultural authorities may include
Cultural authority refers to the most appropriate senior person/s that is able to speak for particular Country, cultural objects, ceremony and/or materials in a specific place. A cultural authority could be a Traditional Owner, a Native Title Claimant, Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Body, Elder, Aboriginal Land Council, etc.
A ceremonial/cultural manager in terms of Aboriginal customary law means someone who does the work either under the direct supervision of the Aboriginal Owner or does the work that is authorised by the Owner. In a ceremony for example, the ceremonial manager(s) may provide the food and do the performance (work). Traditional roles and responsibilities swap over depending on a person’s status in any given situation - ie - whose land / estate one is on for business.
Aboriginal cultural protocols may include
gender roles in relation to knowledge and cultural practices
information sensitivity and access
appropriate information transfer
negotiations with local Aboriginal Community about information transfer
cultural diversity
natural resources and their importance for economy, religion, spirituality, art, environment, values, beliefs and lore/law
rights and responsibilities associated with cultural knowledge, story, song, site, and ceremony
interpersonal ways of relating
the talking of Community politics
repatriation of artefacts
issues of ownership (clans/nations)
ownership of intellectual property
acknowledging participation and ownership
communicating about cultural material
displaying cultural material
handling cultural material
identifying appropriate people to be consulted
occasions when consultation is required
ways in which consultations should be conducted
Aboriginal beliefs may refer to:
connection to Country
creation events
structure of Community such as lore/law men and women, elders and custodians
practicality and purpose
appropriate behaviour, protocols and restrictions
spiritual value of knowledge and stories
communal ownership of some knowledge and material
intergenerational ownership of some knowledge and material
oral tradition of passing on knowledge and responsibilities
roles as custodians of specified knowledge, ceremony, designs, information
kinship and relationships
storytelling
Aboriginal-sites may include
shelters with deposits
open camp site
midden
shelter with midden
shelter with art
isolated find
undefined sites
axe grinding grooves
bora/ceremonial ring
burial site
rock engraving
scarred tree
carved tree
natural mythological site
restricted site
quarry
ochre quarry
fish trap
stone arrangement
mound (oven)
mia mia
waterhole (well)
contact/mission
abraded grooves
aboriginal Place (declared under NPW Act)
Aboriginal Area (declared under NPW Act)
protected archaeological site
Conservation agreement
massacre
reserve
Cultural landscapes may include:
places and areas made up of living stories that have connections to the past and can include natural resources, objects, customs and traditions (and their contexts)
places of land, sea and air where cultural and natural elements are considered together

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 delivery and assessment of this unit must comply with Community protocols and be carried out in consultation with and in participation with Traditional Owners and/or Elders and custodians of that specific Country.
In accordance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, cultural knowledge copyright considerations and Aboriginal lore/law restrictions, it is essential that this requirement be respected and implemented in the delivery and assessment of Cultural Units to guarantee cultural authenticity and quality control around the delivery of training and assessment for Aboriginal-sites workers.
Particular care should be exercised in the delivery and assessment of training for this unit in relation to who is authorised to interpret and/or "tell the stories" and share knowledge of particular sites and landscapes.
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations on Country and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to:
identify details of plant and animal species on Country, their Aboriginal names and their roles and place in the cultural landscape
collate information on Aboriginal culture and history for Country in culturally appropriate ways
collect and use information according to Community guidelines and cultural protocols
identify landscape features and sites on Country in accordance with their place and role in Dreaming, Aboriginal spirituality and local cultural practices and ceremony
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment events must be contextualised to meet the needs of the particular group, including:
a Community, educational or workplace setting on Country
involvement of people approved by cultural authorities and/or Traditional Owners of the relevant local Community who possess the cultural knowledge required for this unit
candidates who have gained relevant knowledge and skills through their life experience
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in interpreting cultural landscapes. The primary method of assessment for this unit should include participation on Country by candidates in simulated or actual work practices relevant to Sites work.
The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of the candidate on Country identifying sites, artefacts and describing cultural landscapes under the supervision of appropriate cultural authority
direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
verbal or written questioning
observation of participation in Ceremony and/or interpretation work related to the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
AHCASW308A Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal sites and landscapes
AHCASW302A Relate Aboriginal culture to sites work
AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols
Assessment for this unit should comprise a combination of theory and practical application. Both aspects of assessment are best conducted on Country for this unit.