Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:01 AM AWST
23/07/2026 7:01 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.
Operate heavy recovery vehicle
Operate heavy recovery vehicle
Unit of competency
National Code
TLIC4069A
TLIC4069A
State Code
S8280
S8280
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/10/2014
Field of Education
030515 - Automotive Vehicle Operations
Original Release Date
30/10/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a heavy recovery vehicle.Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Conduct pre-trip check of vehicle and equipment
- 1.1 Fuel level is checked to ensure that it is appropriate for the driving task
- 1.2 Vehicle is inspected visually to ensure it is serviceable
- 1.3 Condensation is drained from air tanks
- 1.4 Recovery/towing equipment and fittings are checked to ensure they are not damaged or misplaced and are clean and serviceable
- 1.5 Chains, shackles and fittings are checked to ensure they are not damaged or misplaced and are clean and serviceable
- 1.6 Necessary licences, log books and mass permits are checked for currency and that they are located in the vehicle
- 1.7 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is checked to ensure that it is available, ready for use, and meets regulatory requirements
2 Travel to recovery scene
- 2.1 Route is planned in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements
- 2.2 Recovery vehicle is driven and manoeuvred in accordance with legal requirements, taking into consideration eco-driving techniques and exhibiting courtesy and professionalism toward other road users
- 2.3 Situational awareness is maintained in following the planned route
- 2.4 When the recovery vehicle is legally authorised to drive on the hard shoulder and there are stationery queues, extreme care is taken and speed is reduced to minimise danger to vehicles and pedestrians
3 Assess the recovery scene
- 3.1 Directions of enforcement officers and ambulance officers are obeyed
- 3.2 Recovery vehicle is parked in a position to avoid obstruction to authorities, traffic flow and hazard warning lights or beacons
- 3.3 Recovery vehicle is parked in a safe position having regard to the size of the recovery unit and the ability to protect the scene
- 3.4 PPE is used in accordance with regulatory and organisational procedures
- 3.5 Scene reconnaissance is promptly conducted and results are reported
- 3.6 Hazards and environmental conditions are assessed and minimised or controlled
- 3.7 Communication with others is maintained using appropriate techniques and terminology
- 3.8 Health, safety and security procedures are followed in accordance with organisational policy and relevant legislation
4 Select a recovery method appropriate to the desired outcome
- 4.1 Recovery method is determined based on the requirements of the situation and consideration of mass and dimension
- 4.2 Resources required and their availability are determined
- 4.3 Recovery method selected is communicated and forthrightly justified to person with responsibility
- 4.4 Approval is gained to start work
- 4.5 Exclusion zone is set up with permission of the person with responsibility
- 4.6 Communication with others is maintained to explain progress in recovery
5 Tow disabled vehicle to delivery point
- 5.1 Disabled vehicle is hooked up and checked to ensure conformity with regulatory requirements
- 5.2 Conditions of heavy towing permit are applied to plan a route to ensure the most efficient, safe, secure and legal transport operation
- 5.3 Driving techniques appropriate to heavy towing and the driver’s legal responsibility for damage and loss to towed vehicles, fitted equipment, and personal possessions are applied
- 5.4 Recovery vehicle is driven within the special speed limits for heavy towing
- 5.5 Situational awareness is maintained for potential problems with the disabled vehicle
- 5.6 Disabled vehicle is safely manoeuvred into position and unhooked in accordance with organisational and customer requirements
6 Conclude recovery operations
- 6.1 Documentation for the heavy vehicle recovery is completed in accordance with regulatory and workplace requirements
- 6.2 Recovery vehicle and equipment are cleaned and serviced in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturer’s guidelines prior to standing down from the operation
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. Add any 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.
Heavy recovery vehicle would include:
appropriate licences and permits
Personal safety measures include:
manual-lifting techniques
three points of contact when using ladders
observing pinch-points on heavy recovery vehicle
high visibility clothing, long sleeves and trousers
PPE, including:
hearing protection
gloves
hard hat
harness
particle masks
safety glasses
safety footwear
Safety equipment includes:
fire extinguisher
first aid kit
spill kit
isolation switches
mechanical lockouts
Eco driving includes:
observing speed limits
ensuring transmission control
using auxiliary braking systems
Factors that can cause traffic delays and diversions may include:
traffic accidents
flooded sections of road
road damage
bridge or tunnel damage
road works
building construction
emergency situations, such as bushfires
livestock movement
holiday traffic
road closures for utility works, such as electricity, water, sewerage and telecommunications
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
regulatory procedures
Documentation and records may include:
pre-trip records
daily vehicle inspection, repair requests and service record logs
incident and hazard log
tow authority permits
job safety analysis (JSA) and work method statements
site inductions
vehicle inductions
state and territory heavy vehicle driving licence or permit requirements
state and territory towing licences
state and territory road rules
workplace driving instructions and procedures
vehicle manufacturer’s instructions, specifications and recommended driving procedures, including pre-operational checks of vehicle
emergency procedures
vehicle work diaries or record books
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant state and territory:
roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence or permit requirements pertaining to operating heavy recovery vehicles
road rules
OH&S legislation
fatigue management regulations
relevant site entry compliance regulations
heavy recovery vehicle industry guidelines
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Heavy recovery vehicle would include:
appropriate licences and permits
Personal safety measures include:
manual-lifting techniques
three points of contact when using ladders
observing pinch-points on heavy recovery vehicle
high visibility clothing, long sleeves and trousers
PPE, including:
hearing protection
gloves
hard hat
harness
particle masks
safety glasses
safety footwear
Safety equipment includes:
fire extinguisher
first aid kit
spill kit
isolation switches
mechanical lockouts
Eco driving includes:
observing speed limits
ensuring transmission control
using auxiliary braking systems
Factors that can cause traffic delays and diversions may include:
traffic accidents
flooded sections of road
road damage
bridge or tunnel damage
road works
building construction
emergency situations, such as bushfires
livestock movement
holiday traffic
road closures for utility works, such as electricity, water, sewerage and telecommunications
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
regulatory procedures
Documentation and records may include:
pre-trip records
daily vehicle inspection, repair requests and service record logs
incident and hazard log
tow authority permits
job safety analysis (JSA) and work method statements
site inductions
vehicle inductions
state and territory heavy vehicle driving licence or permit requirements
state and territory towing licences
state and territory road rules
workplace driving instructions and procedures
vehicle manufacturer’s instructions, specifications and recommended driving procedures, including pre-operational checks of vehicle
emergency procedures
vehicle work diaries or record books
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant state and territory:
roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence or permit requirements pertaining to operating heavy recovery vehicles
road rules
OH&S legislation
fatigue management regulations
relevant site entry compliance regulations
heavy recovery vehicle industry guidelines
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment section in Section B of the accreditation submission.
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:
knowledge of regulatory requirements of heavy recovery
conducting a pre-trip check of a heavy recovery vehicle
visually checking recovery equipment as per standard, and stowing appropriately
preparing a route to maximise safety and efficiency and meeting organisational requirements
using eco-driving techniques when operating a heavy recovery vehicle
planning trips as required by legislation to a recovery scene
using communication equipment in a recovery situation
correctly positioning vehicle at an incident
using PPE when operating a recovery vehicle
recognising and producing appropriate licences and permits used within the recovery industry
fundamental understanding of mass and dimension legislation and effects on recovery operations
recognising and producing appropriate manufacturer’s handbooks
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
tools, equipment and PPE currently used in the recovery industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
Assessment is to be carried out in a heavy recovery vehicle in a workplace environment
Method of assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed
Simulation is not suitable for final assessment of this unit
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment section in Section B of the accreditation submission.
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:
knowledge of regulatory requirements of heavy recovery
conducting a pre-trip check of a heavy recovery vehicle
visually checking recovery equipment as per standard, and stowing appropriately
preparing a route to maximise safety and efficiency and meeting organisational requirements
using eco-driving techniques when operating a heavy recovery vehicle
planning trips as required by legislation to a recovery scene
using communication equipment in a recovery situation
correctly positioning vehicle at an incident
using PPE when operating a recovery vehicle
recognising and producing appropriate licences and permits used within the recovery industry
fundamental understanding of mass and dimension legislation and effects on recovery operations
recognising and producing appropriate manufacturer’s handbooks
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
tools, equipment and PPE currently used in the recovery industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
Assessment is to be carried out in a heavy recovery vehicle in a workplace environment
Method of assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed
Simulation is not suitable for final assessment of this unit
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWM79 | TLIC4069 | Operate heavy recovery vehicle | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S795 | TLI42111 | Certificate IV in Driving Operations | Qualification |