The components of Units of Competency are summarised below, in the order in which they appear in each Unit of Competency.
Unit Title
The unit title is a succinct statement of the outcome of the Unit of Competency. Each Unit of Competency title is unique, both within and across Training Packages.
Unit Descriptor
The unit descriptor broadly communicates the content of the Unit of Competency and the skill area it addresses. Where Units of Competency have been contextualised from Units of Competency from other endorsed Training Packages, summary information is provided. There may also be a brief second paragraph that describes its relationship with other Units of Competency, and any licensing requirements.
Application of the Unit
This sub-section fleshes out the Unit of Competency's scope, purpose and operation in different contexts, for example, by showing how the unit applies in the workplace.
Elements of Competency
The elements of competency are the basic building blocks of the Unit of Competency. They describe, in terms of outcomes, the significant functions and tasks that make up the competency.
Performance Criteria
The Performance Criteria specify the required performance in relevant tasks, roles, skills and in the applied knowledge that enables competent performance. They are usually written in passive voice. Critical terms or phrases may be written in bold italics and then defined in the Range Statement, in the order of their appearance in the Performance Criteria.
Required Skills and Knowledge
The Essential Skills and Knowledge are either identified separately or combined. Knowledge identifies what a person needs to know to perform the work in an informed and effective manner. Skills describe the application of knowledge to situations where understanding is converted into a workplace outcome.
Range Statement
The Range Statement provides a context for the Unit of Competency, describing essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment, depending on the work situation, the needs of the candidate, the accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. As applicable, the meanings of key terms used in the Performance Criteria will also be explained in the Range Statement.
Evidence Guide
The Evidence Guide is critical in assessment as it provides information to the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and assessor about how the described competency may be demonstrated. The Evidence Guide does this by providing a range of evidence for the assessor to make determinations, and by providing the assessment context. The Evidence Guide describes:
- conditions under which competency must be assessed, including variables such as the assessment environment or necessary equipment
- relationships with the assessment of any other Units of Competency
- suitable methodologies for conducting assessment, including the potential for workplace simulation
- resource implications, for example access to particular equipment, infrastructure or situations
- how consistency in performance can be assessed over time, various contexts and with
a range of evidence
- the required underpinning knowledge and skills.