Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:30 AM AWST
23/07/2026 7:30 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.
Support hatchery operations
Support hatchery operations
Unit of competency
National Code
SFIAQUA314A
SFIAQUA314A
State Code
D9143
D9143
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/05/2012
Field of Education
050701 - Aquaculture
Original Release Date
18/05/2012
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit of competency involves routine husbandry and handling of broodstock, larvae and juveniles on an aquaculture hatchery or ornamental facility. It covers using technical equipment appropriately, and involves operations, such as conditioning and spawning of stock. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Collect and care for broodstock
- 1.1. Hatchery production schedule is interpreted and confirmed with senior personnel.
- 1.2. Labour and resource requirements for hatchery production are confirmed with senior personnel and arranged.
- 1.3. Risk factors that could affect the quality of the end cultured or held stock progeny are identified and plans made to minimise risk.
- 1.4. Broodstock structure or system is prepared to provide clean, disinfected and functional conditions for broodstock activities.
- 1.5. Selected broodstock are introduced into broodstock structure or system with minimal stress.
- 1.6. Both male and female broodstock are conditioned to induce maturation or breeding/spawning behaviour.
- 1.7. Broodstock to be spawned are identified and moved to spawning tanks and undergo spawning induction treatment.
- 1.8. Appropriate water quality requirements of broodstock are monitored and maintained.
2. Breed and raise progeny
- 2.1. Signs of imminent spawning are monitored and the environment controlled to ensure successful spawning.
- 2.2. Spawn is collected, washed and counted and quality assessment of eggs and sperm is undertaken followed by fertilisation of the eggs, if appropriate.
- 2.3. Post-spawning broodstock husbandry practices are undertaken, as appropriate.
- 2.4. Fertilised eggs are hatched and cared for according to biological requirements.
- 2.5. Rearing of subsequent progeny is monitored to ensure water quality and relevant environment needs are met by appropriate post-hatch rearing procedures.
3. Harvest and distribute progeny
- 3.1. Progeny are selected through quality assessment with senior personnel and harvested.
- 3.2. Progeny for on-farm facility distribution are graded, sorted and/or transported to new culture or holding structures.
- 3.3. Order requirements for off-farm facility distribution are noted, harvested and packed for external transport.
4. Complete breeding clean up activities
- 4.1. Clean up of work area, including repairs and storage of equipment, is completed and condition report prepared.
- 4.2. Relevant breeding data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records are checked.
- 4.3. Compliance and other required reports are prepared and conveyed to senior personnel advising of the effectiveness of breeding, and recommendations made for improvements.
- 4.4. Options for improving efficiency through mechanisation or automation of process or activity, or use of specialised contract staff are researched and presented to senior personnel as potential improvements
- 4.5. Staff are given feedback on their work performance.
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.
Cultured or held stock may include:
adults, broodstock (ready to breed), seedstock or stockers, eggs and sperm, fertilised eggs, larvae, post-larvae, seed, spat, hatchlings, yearlings, juveniles, fry, fingerlings, yearlings, smolt, sporophytes, seedlings and tissue cultures
finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, polychaete and oligochaete worms, plankton, micro-algae, seaweed, aquatic plants, live rock, sponges and other aquatic invertebrates
for human consumption (seafood), stockers for other farms, stockers for conservation or recreational fishing, display or companion animals (ornamentals), and other products, including pearls, skins, shells, eggs, chemicals and pigments.
wild caught, hatchery or nursery reared.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and other import requirements
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.
ESD principles may include:
applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, stock health maintenance
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing energy use
reducing use of non-renewable resources
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality
PPE may include:
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
uniforms or overalls
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).
Quality may include:
disease history
health and activity status
number, density, weight and volume
physical appearance, colour and appendages/fins
previous reproductive performance
sex
size
spawning condition and maturation index
wild caught or cultured stock.
Broodstock activities may include:
acclimatisation
cleaning or disinfection of culture or holding equipment
condition or maturation activities
holding or recovery
monitoring or treating health
quarantine
spawning induction
staging or assessing maturation and cannulation.
Spawning induction treatment may include:
chemical
environmental, temperature, light, lunar cycle and atmospheric pressure
hormonal
special feed requirements.
Water quality requirements of broodstock may include:
absence/presence of chemicals
dissolved oxygen
hardness
light
pH
salinity
temperature
water flow and pressure/depth.
Quality assessment may include:
behaviour and activity
colour and shape
density
health, disease and/or prophylactic treatment history
number
uniformity.
Progeny may include:
amphibian eggs, larvae or juveniles
aquatic plants or micro-algal cells, buds, seedlings and sporophytes
cell cultures
crustacean post-larvae or juveniles
finfish eyed eggs, fingerlings, fry, smolts or juveniles
molluscan larvae, seed, spat or juveniles
polyp colonies
reptile eggs, hatchlings or juveniles.
Post-hatch rearing procedures:
changing or treating water
counting density
culling of dead or non-viable individuals
feeding or nutriment addition
grading or sorting, and culling
maintaining culture or holding environment within accepted parameters
sampling
taking visual observations
transferring to clean or larger culture structure
treating by medication or prophylaxis
waste collection and disposal
weighing and measuring.
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.
Cultured or held stock may include:
adults, broodstock (ready to breed), seedstock or stockers, eggs and sperm, fertilised eggs, larvae, post-larvae, seed, spat, hatchlings, yearlings, juveniles, fry, fingerlings, yearlings, smolt, sporophytes, seedlings and tissue cultures
finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, polychaete and oligochaete worms, plankton, micro-algae, seaweed, aquatic plants, live rock, sponges and other aquatic invertebrates
for human consumption (seafood), stockers for other farms, stockers for conservation or recreational fishing, display or companion animals (ornamentals), and other products, including pearls, skins, shells, eggs, chemicals and pigments.
wild caught, hatchery or nursery reared.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and other import requirements
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.
ESD principles may include:
applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, stock health maintenance
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing energy use
reducing use of non-renewable resources
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality
PPE may include:
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
uniforms or overalls
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).
Quality may include:
disease history
health and activity status
number, density, weight and volume
physical appearance, colour and appendages/fins
previous reproductive performance
sex
size
spawning condition and maturation index
wild caught or cultured stock.
Broodstock activities may include:
acclimatisation
cleaning or disinfection of culture or holding equipment
condition or maturation activities
holding or recovery
monitoring or treating health
quarantine
spawning induction
staging or assessing maturation and cannulation.
Spawning induction treatment may include:
chemical
environmental, temperature, light, lunar cycle and atmospheric pressure
hormonal
special feed requirements.
Water quality requirements of broodstock may include:
absence/presence of chemicals
dissolved oxygen
hardness
light
pH
salinity
temperature
water flow and pressure/depth.
Quality assessment may include:
behaviour and activity
colour and shape
density
health, disease and/or prophylactic treatment history
number
uniformity.
Progeny may include:
amphibian eggs, larvae or juveniles
aquatic plants or micro-algal cells, buds, seedlings and sporophytes
cell cultures
crustacean post-larvae or juveniles
finfish eyed eggs, fingerlings, fry, smolts or juveniles
molluscan larvae, seed, spat or juveniles
polyp colonies
reptile eggs, hatchlings or juveniles.
Post-hatch rearing procedures:
changing or treating water
counting density
culling of dead or non-viable individuals
feeding or nutriment addition
grading or sorting, and culling
maintaining culture or holding environment within accepted parameters
sampling
taking visual observations
transferring to clean or larger culture structure
treating by medication or prophylaxis
waste collection and disposal
weighing and measuring.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
collect and care for broodstock, breed and raise progeny and prepare them for distribution.
read and interpret work procedures
record relevant data according to workplace procedures.
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
breeding, nutritional, health and environmental requirements of broodstock and progeny.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should involve stock typically raised on aquaculture farms and hatcheries in the region.
Resources may include:
broodstock or seedstock
hatchery and equipment for caring for and raising progeny
monitoring equipment
staff to coordinate in a hatchery environment
reference material (for research).
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
case study analysis
project (work or scenario based)
research assignment
role play
submission of records
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
collect and care for broodstock, breed and raise progeny and prepare them for distribution.
read and interpret work procedures
record relevant data according to workplace procedures.
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
breeding, nutritional, health and environmental requirements of broodstock and progeny.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should involve stock typically raised on aquaculture farms and hatcheries in the region.
Resources may include:
broodstock or seedstock
hatchery and equipment for caring for and raising progeny
monitoring equipment
staff to coordinate in a hatchery environment
reference material (for research).
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
case study analysis
project (work or scenario based)
research assignment
role play
submission of records
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAS34 | SFIAQU308 | Support hatchery operations | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W988 | SFI40111 | Certificate IV in Aquaculture | Qualification |
| W986 | SFI30111 | Certificate III in Aquaculture | Qualification |