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 

Prepare for screening 

1.1

Legislative requirements relevant to screening people at airports are identified and complied with

1.2

Screening equipment is tested in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and workplace procedures

1.3

Screening equipment safety risks are identified and controlled in accordance with workplace procedures during set up and testing

2 

Screen people 

2.1

The purpose of the screening is identified and appropriate screening equipment is selected in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2

Orderly flow of people is maintained through the screening point in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3

Courteous, professional and sensitive communications are used to assist persons through the screening process

2.4

Infants and people with special needs are identified and accommodated in accordance with workplace procedures

2.5

Potential causes of delays arising are identified, communicated to relevant personnel and acted upon to minimise their impact

2.6

Action is taken in response to persons not consenting in accordance with workplace procedures

3 

Respond to detection of weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products 

3.1

Workplace procedures are followed in response to the detection of suspected weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products

3.2

Weapons, explosives and prohibited items are handled and stored in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures

3.3

LAG products are handled and destroyed in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures

4 

Undertake a frisk search of persons 

4.1

Power to undertake a frisk search of persons under the applicable legislation and workplace procedures is understood and applied

4.2

Consent of a person is obtained prior to conducting a frisk search, including the identification of a private area where the frisk search is to be conducted

4.3

A frisk search of a person is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures are followed during the conduct of a frisk search of persons

4.5

Special screening methods and requirements are applied when conducting a frisk search of infants, children or other persons with special needs in accordance with workplace procedures

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

Required knowledge: 

• Communication channels and procedures

• Components, operating principles and characteristics of typical weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products that may be contained on a person or in personal effects

• Methods and techniques for screening people

• Correct position, speed and gait of persons walking through metal detection equipment

• Duty of care, code of conduct and code of ethics requirements

• Emergency and evacuation procedures

• Layout and access points of premises

• Legislative requirements relating to searching people

• Limits of own responsibility and authority in relation to dealing with identified weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products

• Operational principles of screening equipment

• Positive alarm response procedures

• Principles of effective communication including interpersonal techniques

• Procedures for conducting frisk search of persons

• Procedures for screening infants, children and persons with special needs

• Procedures for reporting identified weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products

• Procedures for selecting a random sample of persons for screening with explosive trace detection (ETD) equipment

• Procedures to identify, handle and isolate weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products

• Situations requiring a law enforcement officer or emergency services

• Principles of customer service and contribution to minimising delays of passengers at airports

• Workplace standards for minimising passenger delays

• Potential causes of delays when screening people that may occur in an airport environment and the action that should be taken

• Workplace procedures in the event that screening equipment fails during screening

• Workplace procedures in the event that screening equipment does not meet the required standard during testing

• Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety requirements (OHS) relevant to the set up and operation of screening equipment

Required skills: 

• Accurately identify weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products

• Check, set up and operate screening equipment including equipment in use for walk through metal detection, explosive trace detection, hand wands and body scanners

• Communicate effectively with people from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities

• Communicate using clear and concise language

• Comply with applicable legislative requirements and codes of practice

• Conduct an inspection and search of people

• Direct the flow of people through a screening point

• Maintain goodwill and professionalism when dealing with incidents

• Monitor, identify and respond to alarms, audible and visual

• Present a professional image to members of the public and colleagues

• Recognise suspicious behaviour

• Record and report information

• Work effectively as part of a team

• Interpret and follow instructions and prioritise work

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when contributing to minimising of passenger delays at airports

• Monitor and anticipate operational problems and hazards that could cause delays for passengers at airports and take appropriate action

• Adapt to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with workplace procedures

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards

• Identify screening equipment failures during screening of people to enter an airside security zone or landside security zone at an airport

• Identify screening equipment failure during testing

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 prepare equipment for screening people in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, legislative requirements and workplace procedures
• demonstrate the ability to screen people using screening equipment in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures
• demonstrate the ability to take the correct action when weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products are detected during screening of people in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures
• conduct a frisk search of a person following correct techniques and procedures and in accordance with WHS/OHS procedures, legislative requirements and workplace procedures
• demonstrate the ability to modify approach in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures when screening infants, children and persons with special needs.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

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

In real environments, access is required to:

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

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

Assessment of knowledge must be conducted using the National Assessment Tool.

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.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

• the Aviation Transport Security Act (and amendments)
• the organisation’s transport security program as approved under the Aviation Transport Security Act
• Notices made under the Act
• other amendments relating to security screening at an airport

Workplace 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
• WHS/OHS policies and procedures
• own role, responsibility and authority
• privacy and confidentiality
• standard operating procedures for screening

Airside security zones on an airport include:

• the security restricted area
• the enhanced inspection area

Landside security zones on an airport include:

• the sterile area
• the fuel storage zone
• the air traffic control facilities zone
• the navigational aids zone

Screening equipment includes:

• walk through metal detector
• hand-held metal detector (HHMD)
• Explosive Trace Detection (ETD)
• body scanner

Airport patrons may include:

• aviation staff
• airline passengers
• clients
• security personnel
• visitors
• contractors

Weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products are:

• as described under the legislation
• those items specified by the client, or by federal, state or territory statutes (including impermissible LAG products)

Social and cultural differences may relate to:

• dress and personal presentation
• gender and gender identity
• food preferences
• language
• religion
• social conventions
• traditional practices
• values and beliefs

Persons with special needs may include:

• a person in a wheelchair who may or may not be able to stand unassisted
• a person not in a wheelchair but who requires a walking aid
• a person who is hearing impaired
• a person who is vision impaired
• a person who is accompanied by an assistance or companion animal (e.g. a guide dog)
• a person who requires the assistance of a carer
• a person with a prosthetic device, body brace or other medical device
• a parent/carer/guardian with an infant/baby