Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

How might data be collected?
This may include direct methods (e.g. physical appearance and feel), or indirect methods (e.g. tensiometers, neutron probes, laboratory tests).

What data might be collated on the irrigation system?
System performance data may include pressures, flow rates, distribution uniformity, depth of irrigation, and soil moisture at root zone.

What irrigation systems might be relevant to this standard?
These may be pressurised irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation systems, spray irrigation systems or gravity fed irrigation systems.
Micro-irrigation systems include mains pressure, low pressure, below or above ground, sprays systems, drip emitter trickle, t-tape, mini-sprinklers, capillary, ebb and flow, and flood systems.
Spray irrigation systems include travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type), centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift.
Gravity fed irrigation systems include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another.
Irrigation systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What OHS issues may be relevant to this standard?
OHS issues may include identification and reporting of hazards to health and safety, risk assessment procedures and implementation of risk control measures, safe operation of machinery and equipment, safe manual handling procedures, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, safe procedures for working at heights and for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What soil survey data types may be relevant to this standard?
These may include top soil types, soil profiles and readily available water (RAW).

Which benchmarks may be applied?
Benchmarks may include statistics and records from industry sources, records/reports from other farms in the region (comparative analysis), meteorological records and reports, and reports from Regulatory Authorities.

What might production costs include?
These may include costs relating to environmental and OHS issues.

What might indicators of performance be?
Indicators of performance will vary between systems and context.

How might data be collected?
This may include direct methods (e.g. physical appearance and feel), or indirect methods (e.g. tensiometers, neutron probes, laboratory tests).

What data might be collated on the irrigation system?
System performance data may include pressures, flow rates, distribution uniformity, depth of irrigation, and soil moisture at root zone.

What irrigation systems might be relevant to this standard?
These may be pressurised irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation systems, spray irrigation systems or gravity fed irrigation systems.
Micro-irrigation systems include mains pressure, low pressure, below or above ground, sprays systems, drip emitter trickle, t-tape, mini-sprinklers, capillary, ebb and flow, and flood systems.
Spray irrigation systems include travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type), centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift.
Gravity fed irrigation systems include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another.
Irrigation systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What OHS issues may be relevant to this standard?
OHS issues may include identification and reporting of hazards to health and safety, risk assessment procedures and implementation of risk control measures, safe operation of machinery and equipment, safe manual handling procedures, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, safe procedures for working at heights and for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What soil survey data types may be relevant to this standard?
These may include top soil types, soil profiles and readily available water (RAW).

Which benchmarks may be applied?
Benchmarks may include statistics and records from industry sources, records/reports from other farms in the region (comparative analysis), meteorological records and reports, and reports from Regulatory Authorities.

What might production costs include?
These may include costs relating to environmental and OHS issues.

What might indicators of performance be?
Indicators of performance will vary between systems and context.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in auditing irrigation systems requires evidence that a person can collect, collate and assess irrigation data against benchmarks, specifications or predictions; compile a system evaluation report; and recommend alterations to the system to achieve performance improvement.
The skills and knowledge required to audit irrigation systems must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if a pressurised irrigation system is audited in one location, it should be evident that a gravity fed irrigation system in another location could be audited.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

evaluation procedures
irrigation system performance indicators
statistical data analysis procedures or software
environmental impacts of irrigation systems using water from any ground or underground source
relevant enterprise OHS issues.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

analyse and organise data
solve performance problems and recommend solutions
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation system activities and recommend appropriate remedial action
use computer software for irrigation auditing
recommend relevant enterprise OHS and environmental procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

evaluation procedures
irrigation system performance indicators
statistical data analysis procedures or software
environmental impacts of irrigation systems using water from any ground or underground source
relevant enterprise OHS issues.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

analyse and organise data
solve performance problems and recommend solutions
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation system activities and recommend appropriate remedial action
use computer software for irrigation auditing
recommend relevant enterprise OHS and environmental procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Participating in discussions with irrigators and compiling reports that are accessible to a range of target groups. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Participating in discussions with irrigators and compiling reports that are accessible to a range of target groups. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Analysing and interpreting and data. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Analysing and interpreting and data. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Organising range of auditing activities. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Organising range of auditing activities. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating audit activities with irrigators, staff, and others. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating audit activities with irrigators, staff, and others. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Manipulating statistical data. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Manipulating statistical data. (3)

Solving problems
Considering technical, environmental and financial solutions. (3)

Solving problems
Considering technical, environmental and financial solutions. (3)

Using technology
Using information management, analysis and irrigation related technology as necessary. (2)

Using technology
Using information management, analysis and irrigation related technology as necessary. (2)