Elements and Performance Criteria

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. 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.
Legislative requirements may include:
relevant federal and state or territory legislation and local government regulations related to:
animal health
anti-discrimination
aquaculture
consumer protection
crown land
environmental issues
EEO
financial probity
franchises and business structure
industrial relations
livestock
native title
OHS
privacy
rural property sales, leasing and management
taxation
water rights.
Key personnel may include:
licensed stock and station agents
stock and station representatives or certificate holders
support staff.
Key operations of stock and station agencies may include:
livestock sales
rural property management
rural property sales
sale of rural products.
Forms of business ownership may include:
corporation
partnership
sole trader.
Organisational structure of business may include:
franchise group
independent agency
marketing cooperative
pastoral houses.
Key services may include:
livestock sales and services
rural property management
rural property sales
sale of farm supplies and other rural products.
Licensing and eligibility requirements may include:
for employment as a stock and station representative or certificate holder
for licensing as a licensed stock and station agent.
Trust funds:
refer to all money received or held by a stock and station agent or any member of an agent's staff on behalf of any other person in the course of an agent's business
include deposits on sales, security deposits, residential bonds paid in cash and bonds in respect of commercial premises, rents and prepaid advertising.
Role and responsibilities of government agencies may include:
federal government agencies, such as:
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
federal Privacy Commission
other commonwealth statutory agencies associated with rural business, such as Meat and Livestock Australia
state and territory government agencies related to:
agriculture and agribusiness
animal welfare
consumer protection and fair trading
employment and workplace relations
land use and planning
leases
livestock
privacy
residential and retail tenancies
small business development
stock and station agency licensing
water
zoning.
Specialist advice may include:
agronomists
architects
bankers and financiers
builders
emergency personnel
government officials
industry practitioners and industry bodies
investment consultants
livestock specialists
mentors and coaches
OHS representatives
planners
soil scientists
stock and station agents
solicitors
subcontractors
supervisors and colleagues
technical experts
valuers
veterinarians
water consultants.
Ethical and conduct standards may include:
conflict of interest
duty of care
individual behaviour
maintaining confidentiality
non-discriminatory practices
privacy
use of organisational property.
Employment requirements may include:
employer's responsibilities
federal and state or territory employment agreements.
Effective communication strategies may include:
active listening
being non-judgemental
exploring problems
expressing an individual perspective
providing sufficient time for questions and responses
providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations
using active listening
using appropriate words, behaviour and posture
using clarifying and summarising questions
using clear and concise language
using culturally appropriate communication
using plain English
using verbal and non-verbal communication.
Personal presentation and professional image may refer to:
client focus
communication skills
condition and style of clothing
condition and cleanliness of company vehicle
personal grooming
personal hygiene
product knowledge

punctuality
speech.

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 Guidelines for this Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed through case studies and targeted written (including alternative formats where necessary) or verbal questioning to assess the candidate's knowledge. This would include collecting evidence of the candidate's knowledge and application of ethical standards and relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations. This assessment may be carried out in a simulated or workplace environment.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:
knowledge of the ethical and conduct standards relevant to licensed stock and station agents, stock and station representatives or certificate holders, and support staff
knowledge of the key operations of stock and station agencies
knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of agency personnel
knowledge of legislation and the regulatory framework relevant to stock and station agencies, including the roles and functions of government regulatory agencies and industry bodies
knowledge of the key principles of consumer protection and privacy legislation
knowledge of the agency principal relationship
knowledge of employment requirements for stock and station agents, including the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees
knowledge of the licensing and eligibility requirements for stock and station agents and other employees, including offences and penalties.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Resource implications for assessment include:
access to suitable simulated or real opportunities and resources to demonstrate competence
assessment instruments that may include personal planner and assessment record book
access to a registered provider of assessment services.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence require that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice with a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be current and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in such a manner as is appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.