Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.
Accreditation:
ensures that railway operators have the competency, capacity and systems to safely manage their railway operations and is based on the underlying principle of hazard identification and adequate risk management
is usually granted for an unlimited period of time, however time limits on accreditation may be imposed in some circumstances
Variations to accreditation apply when:
accredited railway operators propose to implement changes to the scope and nature of their railway operations, not covered by their current accreditation
Notification of change must occur for:
decisions to design or construct rolling stock or new railway tracks (as soon as is reasonably practicable [ASAIRP])
introducing a new type of rolling stock into service (28 days prior)
making changes to a safety critical element of rolling stock (28 days prior)
introducing a new type of rail infrastructure into service (28 days prior)
changes to design standards for rail infrastructure or rolling stock (28 days prior)
deciding to adopt new design standards for rail infrastructure or rolling stock (28 days prior)
changes to the frequency or procedures for inspection or maintenance of rail infrastructure or rolling stock (28 days prior)
changes to any safeworking system rule or procedure (28 days prior)
decision to introduce a new safeworking system rule or procedure (ASAIRP)
replacing the nominated contact person for regulator queries (ASAIRP)
Registration of private sidings:
is a simpler process than accreditation
is required for private sidings that are connected to or have access to the tracks of an accredited rail transport operator
includes an interface agreement with the accredited operator of the railway to which their siding connects
Private sidings:
are sidings managed, owned or controlled by one party which are connected to, or have access to, rail infrastructure managed by another party
do not include marshalling yards, crossing loops, or passenger or freight terminals
do not include a siding, or a siding of a class, prescribed by the regulations not to be a private siding
are exempt from accreditation, but may have conditions imposed on their registration
Information relating to accreditation may include:
purpose of accreditation
legislative authority for accreditation
eligibility for accreditation
application requirements
exemptions for some or all accreditation requirements
variations to accreditation
criteria for assessment
application fees for accreditation, if applicable
conditions attached to existing accreditation
right of review/appeal against accreditation decisions
Exemptions may be granted:
for some or all accreditation requirements (Note: this is not an exemption from the need to be accredited)
in accordance with legislation
Application requirements include:
name and contact details of the applicant
scope and nature of railway operations
safety management plan for railway operations
whether an applicant is accredited or has applied for accreditation in another state or territory
description of operational assets and safeworking systems
evidence of the right to manage the infrastructure and/or rolling stock
evidence of consultation during development of the safety management system
details of contractors
endorsement by the applicant's governing body
application fee
Key criteria for granting accreditation include evidence:
that the applicant is a rail infrastructure manager or rolling stock operator in relation to the railway operations for which accreditation is sought
of competency and capacity to manage risks to safety and implement the proposed safety management system
of financial capacity or public risk insurance arrangements to meet reasonable potential accident liabilities
of meeting the consultation requirements of the legislation in relation to the safety management system
of satisfying legislative requirement
Supporting documents may include:
description of the scope and nature of railway operations, including all elements of railway infrastructure and rolling stock
description of the safety management system, or rail safety management plan and evidence of consultation during development
details of operational assets and safeworking systems
evidence of current or previous accreditation
evidence of accreditation in another state or territory
endorsement by the applicant's governing body
evidence of effective management and control of relevant railway infrastructure or rolling stock movements
details of contractors who will carry out railway operations on behalf of the applicant
evidence of financial capacity and/or liability insurance arrangements
details of safety interface agreements
Accreditation requirements include:
safety management system or rail safety management plan that effectively controls the risks associated with carrying out railway operations
competency and capacity to implement and comply with the safety management system or rail safety management plan
payment of applicable accreditation fees
Registration requirements include:
systems and procedures to ensure safety
maintaining a risk register and keeping it up-to-date
documented procedures for maintenance of rail infrastructure
compliance with any conditions imposed by the regulator
interface agreements and coordination plans for interfaces with accredited railways
maintaining a register of interface coordination plans
payment of applicable registration fees
Schedules include:
railway operations - rail infrastructure (Schedule 1)
railway operations - rolling stock (Schedule 2)
Business rules may include:
National Business Rules for Uniform Administration of Accreditation
national templates for accreditation notices
use of specified terms to describe railway operations
Reasons may include that conditions are:
prescribed by legislation
imposed to indicate the limits of competency and capacity demonstrated by the accredited person at a local jurisdictional level
imposed because the programs of work required are judged to be material to the competency and capacity required for the management of risks to safety associated with the subject railway operations
imposed to indicate the permissions sought by applicant
Conditions may relate to:
intensity of railway operations
time of operation - daylight, night time or between specific hours
type of infrastructure being managed, e.g. whether track is electrified
type of traction to be used in relation to rolling stock
services or aspects of services, or specific railway operations to be undertaken
performance of specific safety management initiatives or projects by specified deadlines
changes to operations
Reviews and reports include:
safety management system reviews conducted annually, or more or less frequently, as determined by the regulator
regular safety performance reports

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit
assessing and administering accreditation in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions over time.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when assessing and administering accreditation and registration applications, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
Resources essential for assessment include:
legislation and standards relating to the accreditation of railway operators and registration of private sidings
national templates and business rules for accreditation
organisational procedures/guidelines and protocols relating to the administration of accreditation applications
scenarios and/or case studies to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when assessing and administering applications
access to relevant systems
Method of assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit of competency must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
demonstration
observation
simulation or role plays
case studies/scenarios
workplace projects
portfolios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.

Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy demands and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Suggested units that may be co-assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPPOL502A Advise on organisation policy
PUAPOL010A Perform administrative duties
PUAPOL013A Create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships.
Guidance information for assessment
For consistency of assessment:
evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Assessing employability skills:
employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors
the way these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts
employability skills embedded in this unit of competency should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skills set or qualification, and in the context of the job role
In practice, assessing and administering accreditation and registration applications overlaps with other generalist or specialist work activities, such as acting ethically, using complex communication strategies, advising on organisation policy, performing administrative duties, and maintaining productive working relationships. Co-assessment with units of competency addressing these other activities could be considered