Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor
This unit specifies the competency required to apply the principles of unjustifiable hardship to the legislative requirements for existing buildings undergoing building work. It requires an assessment of any unjustifiable hardship component of a proposed Building Upgrade Plan, Alternative Building Solution or application for an exception from a requirement of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
The assessment is tested against the principles of unjustifiable hardship as set out in the Process to Administer Access to Buildings (The Protocol) and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Premises Standard. The assessment may result in the preparation of a report describing the processes for reaching approval of the proposed alternative solution or application for exception.
The unit requires the ability to communicate with members of the state or territory Access Panel on the interpretation and implementation of the DDA, the DDA Premises Standard, the BCA and The Protocol.
The access consultant may either work alone or as a member of a team.
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit
This unit of competency supports the access consulting service of serving on a BCA Access Panel. It involves the application of analysis, planning and evaluation to complex technical issues.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not Applicable
Pre-Requisites
Not Applicable
Employability Skills Information
Employability skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
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Elements and Performance Criteria
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ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
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1 Assess the proposal from the building control authority . |
1.1 The nature of the proposal documentation is classified as a Building Upgrade Plan , an Alternative Building Solution or an application for exception from a requirement of the BCA . 1.2 Access issues raised by the building control authority are identified, clarified and documented. 1.3 The grounds for a request for unjustifiable hardship are identified from within the proposal documentation. |
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2 Apply unjustifiable hardship principles to the assessment of the Building Upgrade Plan . |
2.1 Key access components of the Building Upgrade Plan are identified. 2.2 A technical assessment of the issues identified in the Building Upgrade Plan is conducted in accordance with the Process to Administer Access to Buildings. 2.3 The level of access resulting from the Building Upgrade Plan is determined in accordance with legislative requirements . 2.4 The appropriateness of the timeframes proposed by the Building Upgrade Plan is assessed and the findings are documented in accordance with unjustifiable hardship considerations . |
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3 Apply unjustifiable hardship principles to the assessment of the Alternative Building Solution . |
3.1 The performance of the Alternative Building Solution for providing access outcomes equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions of the relevant legislative requirements is assessed. 3.2 A technical assessment of the issues identified in the application for Alternative Building Solution is conducted in accordance with the Process to Administer Access to Buildings. 3.3 The ability of the Alternative Building Solution to provide access is assessed in accordance with unjustifiable hardship considerations. 3.4 Unjustifiable hardship considerations are assessed and the findings are documented in accordance with the objectives of the DDA and state and territory anti-discrimination legislation. |
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4 Apply unjustifiable hardship principles to the assessment of the application for exception from a requirement of the BCA . |
4.1 The issues nominated in the proposal as preventing the provision of access are identified. 4.2 A technical assessment of the issues identified in the application for exception is conducted in accordance with the Process to Administer Access to Buildings. 4.3 The validity of the issues presented in the application for exception from a requirement of the BCA is assessed against unjustifiable hardship considerations. 4.4 Unjustifiable hardship decisions are assessed and the findings are documented in accordance with the objectives of the DDA and state and territory anti-discrimination legislation. |
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Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required knowledge and understanding include :
- anthropometric principles of accessible building design and fitout
- commonwealth, state and territory anti-discrimination legislation and regulations
- commonwealth, state and territory Heritage Acts
- design, structural and construction principles of buildings
- disability awareness
- environmental issues impacting on material selection
- ergonomic principles
- functional systems of the human body
- industry codes of practice and ethics
- international standards on building access
- limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities
- nature of building materials and effect of performance
- occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures
- processes for interpreting reports, working drawings and specifications
- processes for recording data, administering records and preparing reports
- relevant commonwealth, state and territory building legislation, local government regulations and Australian standards
- research methodology and analytical processes
- role, responsibilities and powers of building certifiers
- state and territory Planning and Development Acts
- relevant terminology and definitions in hazard identification.
Required skills and attributes include :
- analytical skills to:
- analyse, evaluate and apply legislative requirements pertaining to disability access
- analyse and evaluate the impacts of the full range of disabilities and the limitations that each disability places on the individual's ability to access the environment
- analyse and evaluate how environmental barriers impact on people with disabilities
- apply unjustifiable hardship principles to arguments presented in applications for an exception to a requirement of the BCA
- interpret and analyse routine and non-routine situations to establish suitable methods of reporting
- application skills to:
- apply relevant anti-discrimination and building legislation
- apply industry building codes of practice and ethics and other legislative requirements to work processes
- apply disability awareness to work processes
- apply current Australian and international building codes, standards, regulations and practices
- communication skills to:
- discuss unjustifiable hardship principles, their interpretation and application
- seek alternative advice from other experts within own field
- seek advice from experts in areas outside own expertise
- literacy skills to:
- assess and use workplace information
- read and interpret plans, specifications and structural drawings
- read and use anatomical and medical terminology
- read and use building and construction terminology
- read and comprehend case documentation associated with claims for unjustifiable hardship
- organisational skills to:
- confirm that all relevant case documentation is provided
- research, reference, store and retrieve data for use in decision-making processes
- interpersonal skills to:
- relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
- seek and obtain information in a sensitive and appropriate manner
- facilitate change for greater awareness of disability access
- analyse own work practices and process outcomes critically
- engage colleagues and share disability access knowledge
- adapt to new workplace situations
- personal attributes relating to:
- impartiality
- fairness
- independence
- objectivity
- confidentiality
- respect
- research skills to:
- initiate searches for information relevant to claims for unjustifiable hardship
- source, analyse and evaluate building legislative requirements
- source, analyse and evaluate legislative requirements for the provision of access
- technical skills to:
- participate in decision-making processes.
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
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Range Statement
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any 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.
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Building Upgrade Plan means: |
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Alternative Building Solution means: |
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An application for exception from a requirement of the BCA refers to: |
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Legislative requirements may include: |
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Unjustifiable hardship considerations may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector
Access consulting
