Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:02 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:02 AM 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.
Provide services on a freelance basis
Provide services on a freelance basis
Unit of competency
National Code
CUFIND401A
CUFIND401A
State Code
D1138
D1138
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/10/2014
Field of Education
100199 - Performing Arts, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
10/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to operate as a freelancer within the creative arts industry.Success as a freelancer requires a high level of self-motivation and discipline, an ability to develop industry networks and an entrepreneurial attitude when pursuing work opportunities. Freelancers are usually responsible for negotiating their own contracts.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Promote yourself to potential employers
- 1. Establish, follow up and regularly maintain business contacts within industry
- 2. Participate in relevant networks to support your freelance activity
- 3. Identify and follow appropriate strategies to enhance your professional reputation
- 4. Maximise your reputation by circulating current and succinct information about your experience
- 5. Join and maintain regular contact with relevant employment networks
- 6. Advertise your services in relevant media outlets as required
- 7. Produce and distribute promotional material as required
Negotiate work arrangements
- 8. Establish clear performance outcomes for jobs and agree on fees, schedules and expenses
- 9. Ensure that contracts contain payment terms and conditions that provide a viable cash flow
- 10. Ensure that contracts contain a clear statement of the obligations of all parties and a process for varying terms and conditions
- 11. Ensure that the terms of contracts match agreements and securely store written copies of final signed contracts for reference during the course of jobs
- 12. Negotiate variations to contracts as required
- 13. Seek specialist advice in the development of contracts where appropriate
- 14. Be willing to adapt to the demands of others, but without compromising your personal work ethic and reputation
- 15. Be prepared to reject work offers that do not provide sufficient financial remuneration or job satisfaction
Manage financial and business aspects of freelance work
- 16. Seek advice on and determine the most appropriate way of operating as a freelancer
- 17. Set up and use effective systems for managing budgets, finance and paperwork
- 18. Establish and maintain effective support services
- 19. Establish a realistic fee structure that takes into account all factors associated with your freelance activity
- 20. Plan ahead to organise and maintain a viable work and cash flow
- 21. Send invoices in line with payment terms and conditions and follow up any non-payment of invoices promptly and in a businesslike manner
- 22. Keep simple but accurate and up-to-date accounts and records
- 23. Submit annual tax returns, using the services of an accountant as required
- 24. Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements relevant to freelance activities
Undertake strategic planning
- 25. Identify and implement strategies that help identify work opportunities at an early stage
- 26. Seek constructive feedback from relevant people about your performance and evaluate feedback to identify personal development needs
- 27. Identify opportunities for ongoing professional development and take appropriate action to ensure that your skills and knowledge keep pace with industry developments
- 28. Identify and act on opportunities to expand your client base, either alone or in partnership with other freelancers
- 29. Regularly revisit, review and set realistic objectives
- 30. Continually monitor and analyse work options against quality of life, and artistic and commercial outcomes
- 31. Identify risk factors and take action to minimise risk when planning work activities
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. 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.
Networks may include
chambers of commerce
community organisations
industry professional associations
lobby groups
unions.
Strategies may include:
developing a personal website to showcase your achievements and to promote your services
entering competitions
offering your services to educational institutions as a guest tutor or lecturer
seeking industry awards.
Information may include:
achievements
availability
awards
client list
contact details
past work
portfolio of work
rates
referees
show reels
skills
testimonials
URL of personal website.
Employment networks may include:
agents
Centrelink
industry professional associations
online employment agencies
unions.
Support services may include:
accountants
couriers
design services
equipment repair and maintenance services
film laboratories
financial planners
government agencies
printers
tax consultants.
Factors may include:
advertising and promotional costs
equipment costs such as:
purchase of new equipment
maintenance
hire and leasing arrangements
insurance
materials
overheads, e.g.:
telephone
rent
superannuation
workers' compensation
rates recommended by industry bodies
travel time and car expenses
any other work-related expenses.
Records may include:
computer-based:
spreadsheets
accounting software applications, e.g. MYOB and Quicken
databases
project management software applications
filing system for receipts and invoices
manual:
financial ledgers and journals
petty cash records
invoices
receipts.
Regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements may include:
insurance:
third-party insurance on motor vehicles
workers' compensation
comprehensive insurance for vehicles, property or equipment
public liability insurance
professional indemnity insurance
other insurance cover as required by state or federal legislation, or contractual obligations
regulation:
OHS legislation
business registrations and licences
planning and other permissions
environmental legislation
duty of care
equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation
anti-competition regulations
taxation:
tax file number
ABN
GST registration
BAS and GST returns
PAYG and withholding arrangements
other taxation obligations.
Relevant people may include:
clients
colleagues
employers
mentors
officers at employment agencies.
Objectives may relate to:
business and financial targets
job satisfaction
performance and progress
quality of life
training needs
use of time and other resources in achieving objectives.
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.
Networks may include
chambers of commerce
community organisations
industry professional associations
lobby groups
unions.
Strategies may include:
developing a personal website to showcase your achievements and to promote your services
entering competitions
offering your services to educational institutions as a guest tutor or lecturer
seeking industry awards.
Information may include:
achievements
availability
awards
client list
contact details
past work
portfolio of work
rates
referees
show reels
skills
testimonials
URL of personal website.
Employment networks may include:
agents
Centrelink
industry professional associations
online employment agencies
unions.
Support services may include:
accountants
couriers
design services
equipment repair and maintenance services
film laboratories
financial planners
government agencies
printers
tax consultants.
Factors may include:
advertising and promotional costs
equipment costs such as:
purchase of new equipment
maintenance
hire and leasing arrangements
insurance
materials
overheads, e.g.:
telephone
rent
superannuation
workers' compensation
rates recommended by industry bodies
travel time and car expenses
any other work-related expenses.
Records may include:
computer-based:
spreadsheets
accounting software applications, e.g. MYOB and Quicken
databases
project management software applications
filing system for receipts and invoices
manual:
financial ledgers and journals
petty cash records
invoices
receipts.
Regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements may include:
insurance:
third-party insurance on motor vehicles
workers' compensation
comprehensive insurance for vehicles, property or equipment
public liability insurance
professional indemnity insurance
other insurance cover as required by state or federal legislation, or contractual obligations
regulation:
OHS legislation
business registrations and licences
planning and other permissions
environmental legislation
duty of care
equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation
anti-competition regulations
taxation:
tax file number
ABN
GST registration
BAS and GST returns
PAYG and withholding arrangements
other taxation obligations.
Relevant people may include:
clients
colleagues
employers
mentors
officers at employment agencies.
Objectives may relate to:
business and financial targets
job satisfaction
performance and progress
quality of life
training needs
use of time and other resources in achieving objectives.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
Evidence of the following is essential:
preparation of resume's and other material to promote oneself to potential clients or employers
ability to:
negotiate work contracts
develop and maintain industry contacts
participate in industry networks
develop and maintain an effective financial record-keeping system
develop work plans that take account of the need for adequate cash flow.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to a range of relevant and current industry information and networks
access to office equipment and resources
access to examples of work contracts
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
observation of the candidate negotiating a work contract or being interviewed for a job
written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit
case studies to assess ability to undertake strategic planning when developing freelance work opportunities.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUFIND402A Develop screen and media specialist expertise
BSBREL401A Establish networks.
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
Evidence of the following is essential:
preparation of resume's and other material to promote oneself to potential clients or employers
ability to:
negotiate work contracts
develop and maintain industry contacts
participate in industry networks
develop and maintain an effective financial record-keeping system
develop work plans that take account of the need for adequate cash flow.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to a range of relevant and current industry information and networks
access to office equipment and resources
access to examples of work contracts
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
observation of the candidate negotiating a work contract or being interviewed for a job
written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit
case studies to assess ability to undertake strategic planning when developing freelance work opportunities.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUFIND402A Develop screen and media specialist expertise
BSBREL401A Establish networks.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWI72 | CUAIND402 | Provide freelance services | Unit of competency |