Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to apply sustainability principles, legislation and information on government programs to complete work.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the work of home sustainability assessors.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify relationship between sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions and home sustainability assessment.

1.1 Key principles of sustainability  are identified.

1.2 Relationships are identified between greenhouse gas emissions and housing design, household energy and water use, household waste generation and resident behavior.

1.3 Contribution of home sustainability assessment to reducing greenhouse emissions and promoting sustainability is identified.

1.4 Sources of information  on sustainability principles, greenhouse gas emissions and home sustainability assessments are identified.

Identify and comply with legislation and regulations relevant to home sustainability.

2.1 Commonwealth , state or territory , and local government legislation and regulations relevant to home sustainability assessment  are identified and followed in providing services to clients.

2.2 Personal understanding of legislation and regulations is verified with relevant people to ensure compliance.

2.3 Situations in which specialist advice is required are identified and sources of advice on legislation and regulations are determined.

Identify and comply with industry codes of practice relevant to home sustainability.

3.1 Industry codes of practice relevant to home sustainability assessors are identified and followed in providing services to clients.

3.2 Personal understanding of industry codes of practice is verified with relevant people to ensure compliance.

3.3 Situations in which specialist advice is required are identified and sources of advice on industry codes of practice are determined.

Source and apply information on government programs, rebates and other forms of support for implementation of home sustainability measures.

4.1 Sources of information on government programs, rebates and other forms of support for implementation of home sustainability measures are identified and accessed.

4.2 Key features of government programs , rebates and other forms of support  for implementation of home sustainability measures are identified.

4.3 Information on government programs, rebates and other forms of support for implementation of home sustainability measures is applied in providing services to clients.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• analytical skills to interpret documents, such as legislation, regulations and codes of practice relating to home sustainability assessment
• communication skills to interact with people from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds
• decision-making and problem-solving skills to analyse situations and make decisions consistent with client needs, legislation, regulations and industry codes of practice
• literacy skills to:

• complete standard forms
• prepare general information, papers, reports and applications
• read and interpret a variety of texts, including legislation, regulations and codes of practice
• write formal and informal letters

• research skills to identify and locate documents and information related to sustainability principles
• technology skills to access online information on sustainability

Required knowledge 

• greenhouse gas emissions:

• causes
• relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and house design, household appliances and facilities, water use, waste generation and resident behavior
• role of home sustainability assessments in reducing greenhouse emissions
• sources of information
• trends
• ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through home sustainability measures

• home sustainability assessment:

• codes of practice
• rebates and other forms of support for implementation of home sustainability measures
• relevant commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations related to:

• anti-discrimination and equal employment opportunity
• building and construction
• consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices
• employment and industrial relations
• environment
• home sustainability assessment
• occupational health and safety (OHS)
• privacy

• sustainability:

• features of sustainable residential buildings
• government policy and international commitments
• principles
• sources of information

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 

This unit of competency could be assessed by demonstration of using information on sustainability principles, relevant legislation and government programs in planning and carrying out a home sustainability assessment.

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 the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular, the person should demonstrate the ability to:

• determine relationship between sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions and home sustainability assessment
• apply relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice in conducting home sustainability assessments
• apply information on government programs, rebates and other forms of support when conducting home sustainability assessments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context and is to comply with relevant regulatory and Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• relevant codes, standards and government regulations
• computer equipment for online research on information related to sustainability, greenhouse emissions and home sustainability assessments
• technical reference library with current publications on:

• energy use and home sustainability assessments
• greenhouse emissions
• sustainability principles.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

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, 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.

Key principles of sustainability  may include:

• community involvement
• continual improvement
• ecological integrity
• equity within and between generations
• integration of environmental, social and economic considerations in decision making
• precautionary behaviour.

Sources of information  may include:

• people and organisations:

• accreditation bodies
• architects
• building consultants
• building designers
• building thermal performance assessors
• colleagues
• education and training providers
• employers
• environment organisations
• environmental consultants
• government agencies
• industry bodies
• industry practitioners
• mentors
• solicitors
• supervisors
• tradespeople
• technical experts
• utility companies

• resources:

• education and training programs
• libraries
• online resources
• professional journals.

Commonwealth , state or territory , and local government legislation and regulations relevant to home sustainability assessment  may include:

• anti-discrimination and equal employment opportunity
• building and construction
• consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices
• employment and industrial relations
• environment
• home sustainability assessment
• OHS
• privacy.

Key features of government programs , rebates and other forms of support  may include:

• amount
• application process
• commencement and end date
• conditions
• costs
• eligibility
• products
• services.

Unit sector 

Home sustainability assessment.

Competency field