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 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
Cultural significance may include:
aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations
significance embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects
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, objects, material and landscapes
names, locations and meanings
Aboriginal cultural protocols
Aboriginal cultural heritage
the cultural significance of Aboriginal knowledge
Cultural connections may include:
totemic relationships with Ancestral beings which now form part of the cultural landscape
geographical locations
access to cultural sites, land and cultural landscapes
obligation relationships to protect and maintain place, species, sites and landforms
ceremonial duties
cultural knowledge duties
Aboriginal cultural values may include:
aesthetic aspects
historic aspects
scientific aspects
social and spiritual elements
cultural knowledge
Ceremonial knowledge
lore/law
Archaeological evidence may include:
Aboriginal material
objects
pigments
pollen
charcoal
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 - i.e. - whose land / estate one is on for business.
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

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.
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:
Explain Aboriginal cultural landscapes in ecological and archaeological terms, Aboriginal cultural, language and spiritual terms and traditional Aboriginal economic terms
Relate creation stories, oral histories, kinship and totemic relationships to the cultural landscape
Use information on sites, objects and cultural landscapes according to Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols
Identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, Site and/or story and/or ceremony
Research the range and interrelationship of Aboriginal cultural and ceremonial practices whereby connection with the cultural landscape is maintained
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
candidates who have gained relevant knowledge and skills through their life experience
Resources for assessment in this unit may include:
Culture and Heritage guidelines and legislation in different jurisdictions
State library and archival information
Burra Charter
Archaeology industry guidelines, procedures and policies
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in recognising and recording Aboriginal-sites, artefacts and 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 and in Aboriginal communities describing and mapping Aboriginal cultural landscapes
direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
verbal or written questioning
observation of participation in Ceremony and/or Sites 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:
AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols
AHCASW305A Work with Aboriginal ceremonial secret sacred materials
AHCASW308A Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal-sites and landscapes
AHCASW311A Use relevant legislation in Aboriginal-sites work
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.