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.
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
Different Country may include:
adjoining local Aboriginal Land Council boundaries
remote Aboriginal communities in the same or different States and Territories
different spaces within the same geographical area
Cultural taboos may include:
anything that is offensive to the group or person in question
naming deceased persons
speaking of persons and/or places and/or practices that are not to be spoken of in public
cross gender practices and/or proximity in some situations
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
ownership of intellectual property
copyright and copyright infringement
acknowledging participation and ownership
communicating about cultural material
accessing, displaying and handling cultural material
identifying appropriate people to be consulted
occasions when consultation is required
ways in which consultations should be conducted

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 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.
Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to:
identify and seek participation of appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or for a site
identify cultural information, material and cultural expression appropriate to be shared
describe elements of cultural diversity within Aboriginal communities
describe natural resources and how they relate to cultural protocol, spirituality, art, environment, values, beliefs and lore/law
describe the cultural rights and responsibilities when using Community knowledge, information and material
identify groups to be consulted in relation to owners/custodians of cultural and Community knowledge, information and/or material
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
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
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in following Aboriginal cultural protocols. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of the candidate relating to and engaging Aboriginal persons and Aboriginal Community
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
AHCASW308A Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal-sites and landscapes
AHCILM404A Record and document Community history
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.