Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 

Establish sterile area 

1.1

Sterile areas are established as required in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2

Sterile areas are re-established following a breach, evacuation or equipment failure as required in accordance with workplace procedures

2 

Recognise and report a breach 

2.1

Breaches or potential breaches of sterile areas are recognised

2.2

Breaches or potential breaches are reported to designated personnel in accordance with the organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures

2.3

Information about breaches or potential breaches is collected in accordance with workplace procedures

2.4

The nature of breaches or potential breaches is determined in accordance with the organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures

2.5

Appropriate action is taken in the event of a breach in accordance with organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures

3 

Complete required documentation 

3.1

Record of actions taken to establish and/or re-establish a sterile area are completed in accordance with the organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures

3.2

Records of a breach, potential breach, evacuation or equipment failure in a sterile area are completed in accordance with the organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures

3.3

Written reports of a breach, potential breach, evacuation or equipment failure and related action to re-establish a sterile area are completed and referred to designated personnel in accordance with the organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge: 

• Regulations relevant to the establishment of a sterile area in an aviation environment and its re-establishment following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Aviation transport security program procedures and policies applicable to the establishment of a sterile area at an airport and its re-establishment following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Roles, functions and responsibilities of airport screening personnel for the establishment of a sterile area in an aviation environment

• Action to be taken in the event of a breach, evacuation or equipment failure in the sterile area and its subsequent re-establishment

• Notification requirements in the event of a breach of a sterile area, evacuation or equipment failure and the subsequent re-establishment of the sterile area

• Customer service standards and techniques to be applied when establishing and maintaining a sterile area in an aviation environment

• Typical issues that may occur when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure, and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve and avoid the issues

• Reporting requirements as detailed in the organisation’s transport security program relevant to the establishment of a sterile area at an airport and its re-establishment following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Site layout, organisational structure and workplace procedures for an aviation transport sterile area and related access, exit and security screening point(s)

Required skills: 

• Communicate effectively with others when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Read, understand and apply the Act, Regulations and workplace procedures as they relate to the establishment of a sterile area at an airport and its re-establishing following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Respond to and report any security issues that may arise when establishing a sterile area at an airport, and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Use appropriate communications equipment when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Complete required documentation involved when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Provide leadership and work collaboratively with others when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Use appropriate customer service skills when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Take appropriate initiatives when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure in accordance with the organisation’s standard operating procedures

• Plan, organise and monitor work activities when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

• Modify activities dependent on differing workplace contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Identify, select, use and routinely check relevant equipment, processes and procedures when establishing a sterile area at an airport and re-establishing it following either an intentional or unintentional breach, evacuation or equipment failure

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include:

• demonstrate the ability to identify and establish a sterile area at an airport in accordance with workplace procedures
• demonstrate the ability to identify when a sterile area at an airport has been breached
• demonstrate the ability to take the correct action in the event of a breach of a sterile area at an airport in accordance with the organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures
• using the correct recording system, accurately report on a breach, evacuation or equipment failure and when establishing and maintaining a sterile area at an airport.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In real environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Assessment for Passenger/Non-Passenger Screener and Checked Baggage Screener Roles 

Assessment must:

• be undertaken by a registered training organisation.

Assessment of knowledge must:

• be conducted through written/oral assessments.

Practical assessment must:

• be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• occur in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Applicable legislation, regulations and codes may include:

• the Aviation Transport Security legislation and regulations
• the organisation’s transport security program
• Notices made under the Act and the Regulations

Organisational procedures or requirements may relate to:

• applicable legislative requirements and aviation screening notices
• access and equity policies, principles and practices
• client service standards
• code of conduct or ethics
• communication and reporting procedures
• complaint and dispute resolution procedures
• emergency and evacuation procedures
• employer and employee rights and responsibilities
• equipment use and maintenance
• occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS)
• own role, responsibility and authority
• privacy and confidentiality
• standard operating procedures for screening

Establishment and re-establishment of sterile areas in the event of a breach may be performed at:

• a security controlled airport with screened air services

A sterile area is:

• a zone established to prevent cleared persons in the zone coming into contact with persons who have not been cleared, and to prevent cleared persons getting access to anything from outside the zone that has not been cleared

A breach is:

• the unauthorised entry of persons or articles into a sterile area

An intentional breach of a sterile area is:

• where the person(s) causing the breach intended to avoid screening or where there is doubt as to the intention of person(s) causing the breach

An unintentional breach of a sterile area is:

• where there has been a procedural breakdown by the airport, airline or the contracted security company concerned, or where an equipment failure has caused the breach

Breaches of a sterile area may include:

• a breach at a screening point where there is immediate detection of the unauthorised person(s) concerned
• a breach at an access point (other than a screening point) where there is immediate detection of the unauthorised person(s) concerned
• a breach at an access point where the unauthorised person(s) concerned is under constant observation
• a breach at an access point (other than a screening point) where the unauthorised person(s) concerned is under constant observation
• where the unauthorised person(s) concerned is not under constant supervision and the area of the breach can be isolated
• where the unauthorised person(s) concerned is not under constant supervision and the area of the breach cannot be isolated

Information to be gathered by first person aware of a security breach is:

• time of breach
• particulars of the breach including where it occurred
• details of the affected area
• estimated number of persons in the affected area
• details and description of the person(s) breaching security

Searches of sterile areas may include but are not limited to:

• areas accessible to the public, for example toilets, concessions, eating areas, aerobridges (if open), parenting rooms, gate lounges, passenger lounges
• under seating and tables
• rubbish bins
• planter boxes