Unit of competency details

Element 

Performance Criteria 

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.

1 Operate point-of-sale equipment.

1.1 Operate point-of-sale equipment  according to design specifications.

1.2 Open and close point-of-sale terminal according to workplace policies and procedures .

1.3 Clear point-of-sale terminal and transfer tender according to workplace policies and procedures.

1.4 Conduct cash handling  according to workplace security procedures.

1.5 Maintain supplies of change and cash float in point-of-sale terminal according to workplace policies and procedures.

1.6 Attend to active point-of-sale terminals according to workplace policies and procedures.

1.7 Complete records of transaction errors according to workplace policies and procedures.

1.8 Maintain adequate supplies of dockets, vouchers and point-of-sale documents.

2 Perform point-of-sale transactions.

2.1 Complete point-of-sale transactions  according to workplace policies and procedures and relevant legislation .

2.2 Identify and apply workplace procedures in respect to cash and non-cash transactions.

2.3 Identify and apply workplace policies and procedures in regard to exchanges and returns.

2.4 Enter information into point-of-sale equipment.

2.5 Verbally state total price and amount of cash received to client , and tender correct change.

3 Complete sales.

3.1 Complete relevant client documentation .

3.2 Process sales transactions in a timely manner or direct clients to point-of-sale terminals according to workplace policies and procedures.

4 Remove takings from register or terminal.

4.1 Balance register or terminal at designated times according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.2 Separate cash float from takings prior to balancing, and secure according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.3 Supply change to register or terminal according to workplace policy.

4.4 Determine register or terminal reading or print out.

4.5 Remove and transport cash and non-cash documents according to workplace security policies and procedures.

5 Reconcile takings.

5.1 Count cash and calculate non-cash documents.

5.2 Determine balance between register or terminal reading and sum of cash and non-cash transactions, and record takings.

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

Required skills 

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

• technical skills to use point-of-sale equipment and apply procedures, including the following:

• registers
• calculators
• EFTPOS
• credit cards
• electronic scanners
• lay-by
• credits and returns
• customer refunds

• time-management skills to complete tasks in a set time frame
• verbal and non-verbal communication skills appropriate to a service environment
• numeracy skills to:

• calculate a total price
• count cash
• balance point-of-sale terminal
• tender correct change.

Required knowledge 

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

• cash handling procedures, including:

• opening and closing point-of-sale terminal
• clearing terminal and transferring tender
• maintaining cash float
• tendering change
• counting cash
• calculating non-cash documents
• balancing point-of-sale terminal
• recording takings
• securing cash and non-cash transactions
• determining change required and denominations of change

• relevant health and hygiene regulations and requirements
• relevant legislative requirements, including consumer law and occupational health and safety regulations
• workplace policies and procedures in regard to client service and point-of-sale techniques.

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.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

• applying relevant legislation, including consumer law
• operating point-of-sale equipment according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures
• applying workplace policies and procedures in regard to cash handling and point-of-sale transactions in a personal services environment
• using time effectively.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
• that competency is demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.

Assessment must ensure access to:

• an environment, which includes as a minimum:

• a reception desk
• telephone
• a retail display area
• a point-of-sale system, including credit card and EFTPOS
• a computer with a salon software system
• financial transactions dockets and slips
• sample debit and credit card vouchers
• recording and tally sheets

• relevant workplace documentation including:

• manufacturer's equipment instructions
• product instructions
• workplace policy and procedure manuals in regard to conducting financial transactions

• a range of clients with different transaction requirements.

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Methods of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct observation of learners performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

• handling cash transactions with clients according to workplace security procedures
• recording transaction errors according to policies and procedures
• balancing register or terminal at designated times
• counting cash
• recording takings

• written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace financial procedures
• completion of workplace documentation relevant to conducting financial transactions
• third-party reports from technical experts.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SIBXCCS202A Provide service to clients
• SIRXCOM001A Communicate 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. 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.

Point -of -sale equipment  may include:

• manual:

• cash register
• credit card equipment

• electronic:

• terminal and screen
• bar code scanner
• EFTPOS equipment.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• operation of point-of-sale equipment
• cash handling security
• sales transactions
• staffing
• health and hygiene requirements.

Cash handling  may include:

• opening and closing point-of-sale terminal
• clearing terminal and transferring tender
• maintaining cash float
• tendering change
• counting cash
• calculating non-cash documents
• balancing point-of-sale terminal
• ensuring security of cash and non-cash transactions
• recording takings.

Point -of -sale transactions  may include:

• EFTPOS
• cheques
• credit cards
• smart cards
• lay-by
• credits and returns
• customer refunds
• gift vouchers.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• consumer legislation
• privacy legislation
• GST regulations
• occupational health and safety legislation.

Clients  may include:

• new or regular clients with routine or special needs
• male or female clients
• people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds with varying physical and mental abilities.

Client documentation  may include:

• order forms
• gift vouchers
• invoices
• receipts.