Qualification details

Modification History

Not Applicable

Description

Description 

This qualification provides the skills and knowledge for an individual to be competent in a range of ICT positions directly related to testing either as an independent specialist or as part of a team. The qualification has a strong ICT core competency base with the potential for inclusion of a range of broader units through stream choice to suit particular needs.

This new ICA05 Certificate IV qualification has clustered and structured test units together with 'non-test' ICT units to form the first nationally recognised testing qualification in ICT. It also has validity as a more broad qualification (sharing a number of common core units with other Certificate IVs) but with a stronger testing emphasis than other qualifications.

Its development has highlighted the testing discipline more generally within the overall package. This potentially enables other ICA05 qualifications to pick up clusters of testing units from the specialist streams as part of a holistic or 'full delivery cycle' approach to ICT development.

The Applications  stream of Certificate III provides one pathway to this qualification, while several Diploma qualifications may be the next step for a Certificate IV in IT (Testing) graduate.

There are 4 specialist streams in the qualification to provide flexibility in choice and focus while ensuring strong core competencies.

• Software
• Websites
• Multimedia
• Networking

Job Roles 

Industry requirements in respect of testing, tend to come from one of two perspectives: that testing is an inherent and integral part of all ICT roles within the full delivery cycle or that testing is a discipline in its own right. The latter perspective is more easily identified in the recruitment marketplace and is reflected below.

Possible job titles include:

• Computer Systems Auditor
• ICT Auditor
• ICT Quality Management Specialist
• ICT Quality Specialist
• ICT Tester
• IT Auditor
• IT Tester
• Quality Assurance Analyst
• Quality Assurance Specialist
• Quality Assurance Engineer
• Software Design Engineer and Tester
• Software QA Specialist
• Software Tester
• Systems Tester
• Team Leader QA/Software testing
• Test Analyst
• Test Engineer
• Tester
• Testing Engineer
• Web Tester

Prerequisite Requirements 

A number of units within this qualification have prerequisites. These are detailed as follows:

Code and Title	Prerequisite units required
ICAB4220B Create scripts for networking	ICAB4225B Automate processes
ICAB4222B Apply introductory programming skills in another language	ICAB4225B Automate processes
ICAS4107B Manage resolution of system faults on a live system	ICAS3024B Provide basic system administration ICAT3025B Run standard diagnostic tests ICAT4221B Locate equipment, system and software faults
ICAS4109B Evaluate system status	ICAT3025B Run standard diagnostic tests
ICAT4186B Conduct operational acceptance tests of websites	ICAT4184B Ensure site usability for full range of users
ICAT4194B Ensure basic website security	ICAI3101B Install and manage network protocols
ICAT4195B Ensure dynamic website security	ICAI3020B Install and optimise operating system software ICAT4194B Ensure basic website security #

#  This unit has prerequisite requirements. Section 1.6 provides further details.

Pathways Information

Not Applicable

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not Applicable

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements 

The following units contain the basic fundamentals of ICT knowledge and skills for all qualifications at Certificate III in IT and above. These units or demonstrated equivalence are required for entry into this qualification:

BSBCMN106A Follow workplace safety procedures

ICAD2012B Design organisational documents using computing packages

ICAU1128B Operate a personal computer

ICAU2005B Operate computer hardware

ICAU2006B Operate computing packages

ICAU2013B Integrate commercial computing packages

ICAU2231B Use computer operating system

ICAW2001B Work effectively in an IT environment

ICAW2002B Communicate in the workplace

Employability Skills Summary

Employability Skills Summary 

ICA40605 Certificate IV in Information Technology  (Testing )

The following table contains a summary of the Employability Skills required for a Software Tester. The Employability Skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.

Employability Skill	Industry requirements for this qualification include :
Communication	using plain English literacy communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information, for example when conducting user acceptance testing
Teamwork	exchanging messages with other project members and actively participating in community activities scheduling feedback meetings to discuss reports and possible next actions with stakeholders
Problem Solving	recording and investigating discrepancies and corrections of client acceptance tests according to the project procedures and timeframe
Initiative and Enterprise	transferring and applying theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations
Planning and Organising	effectively managing and administering the end to end testing process including test definition, execution and reporting planning and conducting acceptance testing planning for testing by collating documentation of conditions and expected results
Self-management	taking responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards working within the Australian Computer Society code of ethics regarding security, legal, moral and ethical issues
Learning	maintaining knowledge of tools and software applications and the goods and services provided obtaining client evaluation and feedback providing one-to-one instruction for clients and users
Technology	selecting and using software and hardware diagnostic tools, including for multimedia contexts and automated testing environments

Packaging Rules

Qualification Structure 

To attain the ICA40605 Certificate IV in Information Technology  (Testing ) 21 to 23 units must be achieved (depending upon the specialist stream selected):

• 12 common core units; plus
• 3 specialist core stream units - Software; or
• 5 specialist core stream units - Websites; or
• 4 specialist core stream units - Multimedia; or
• 4 specialist core stream units - Networking; plus
• 6 elective units

Achieve 12 Common Core Units 

Common Core 

BSBCMN304A Contribute to personal skill development and learning

ICAA4041C Determine and confirm client business expectations and needs

ICAB4225B Automate processes

ICAD4043B Develop and present a feasibility report

ICAD4217B Create technical documentation

ICAS4022B Determine and action client computing problems

ICAT4221B Locate equipment, system and software faults

ICAT4242B Perform unit test for a class

ICAU4205B Select and employ software and hardware tools

ICAW4027B Relate to clients on a business level

ICAW4214B Maintain ethical conduct

PSPPM402B Manage simple projects

Achieve all Core Units in 1 of the 4 Specialist Streams  (Software , Websites , Multimedia , Networking ) below 

Specialist Core Stream  -Software  (3 Units )

ICAA4058B Apply skills in object-oriented design

ICAA4233B Determine and apply appropriate development methodologies

ICAB4222B Apply introductory programming skills in another language

Specialist Core Stream  - Websites  (5 Units )

ICAT4183B Confirm accessibility of website for people with special needs

ICAT4185B Create a website testing procedure

ICAT4186B Conduct operational acceptance tests of websites

ICAT4194B Ensure basic website security

ICAT4195B Ensure dynamic website security

Specialist Core Stream  - Multimedia  (4 Units )

CUFDIG501A Coordinate the testing of interactive media products

CUFMEM07A Apply principles of visual design and communication to the development of a multimedia product

CUSADM08A Address copyright requirements

CUFDIG201A Maintain interactive content

Specialist Core Stream  - Networking  (4 Units )

ICAB4220B Create scripts for networking

ICAS4107B Manage resolution of system faults on a live system

ICAS4109B Evaluate system status

ICAS4113C Identify and resolve common database performance problems

Achieve 3 Elective Units from the ICA40605 Testing Electives Units list below 

Testing Electives 

ICAT4184B Ensure site usability for full range of users

ICAT5077B Develop detailed test plan

ICAT5079B Perform integration test

ICAT5081B Perform systems test

ICAT5082B Manage the testing process

ICAT5083B Develop and conduct client acceptance test

ICAT5084B Perform stress and load testing on integrated platform

Achieve 3 Elective Units from the Following Sources  (Listed in Recommended Order )

• other ICA40605  Specialist units not previously chosen (above); and/or
• ICA40605  Testing Electives units list not previously chosen (above); and/or
• ICA40605  General Electives units list below; and/or
• elsewhere in the ICA05 Information and Communications Technology Training Package  (at Certificate III [maximum of 2 units], Certificate IV or Diploma); and/or
• any other Training Package (at Certificate IV or Diploma) based on documented industry or enterprise needs

General Electives 

BSBPMG508A Manage project risk

ICAA4051B Develop client user interface

ICAA5054C Validate quality and completeness of system design specifications

ICAB4075B Use a library or pre-existing components

ICAB4135B Create a simple mark-up language document to specification

ICAB4136B Use structured query language to create database structures and manipulate data

ICAB4137B Produce basic client side script for dynamic web pages

ICAB4169B Use development software and IT tools to build a basic website

ICAB4170B Build a database

ICAB4178B Build a graphical user interface

ICAB4219B Apply introductory object-oriented language skills

ICAB4224B Apply mathematical techniques for software development

ICAB5063B Monitor and support data conversion

ICAB5074B Monitor the system pilot

ICAB5228B Maintain functionality of legacy code programs

ICAB5230B Maintain custom software

ICAD4190B Maintain information standards

ICAD4198B Develop guidelines for uploading information to a website

ICAD5092B Update and document operational procedures

ICAI4029C Install network hardware to a network

ICAI4030B Install software to networked computers

ICAI4097C Install and configure a network

ICAI4188B Install and maintain a server

ICAI4189B Ensure website content meets technical protocols and standards

ICAI5152B Implement risk management processes

ICAS4023B Provide one-to-one instruction

ICAS4033B Assist with policy development for client support procedures

ICAS4106B Action and complete change requests

ICAS4108B Complete database back-up and recovery

ICAS4112B Optimise system performance

ICAS4114B Implement maintenance procedures

ICAS4200B Monitor traffic and compile website traffic reports

ICAS5105B Coordinate change requests

ICAS5122C Identify and resolve network problems