Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to administer a billing and settlement plan (BSP) for any tourism organisation involved in the sale and ticketing of airfares. It requires the ability to compile all information and documentation for air ticket sales and to lodge and report payments with accuracy.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

This unit describes a key operational function for the sale and ticketing of domestic and international airfares. It applies to tourism industry sectors and organisations where airfares are sold and ticketed; mainly to retail travel agencies, tour wholesalers and consolidators. The tourism enterprise must be accredited with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

BSP administration would normally be managed within a computerised system but some small business operators may use a manual system.

The unit applies to frontline sales or operations personnel who operate with some level of autonomy or under limited supervision and guidance from others. It is undertaken by a diverse range of people such as retail travel consultants, retail travel agency managers, corporate consultants, ticketing consultants, reservations and operations consultants.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Report on air travel sales and refunds.

1.1

Compile all information and documentation required for BSP reports  at the appropriate time.

1.2

Check documents for accuracy, and identify and report on discrepancies.

1.3

Complete agency sales reports for the given BSP reporting period.

1.4

Complete refund notices and refund applications as required.

1.5

Produce and check BSP reports to include all transaction details.

1.6

Keep and file documents and reports according to BSP and organisation procedures.

2

Complete billing and settlement reports and payments.

2.1

Reconcile statements according to BSP procedures and adjustment systems.

2.2

Identify any discrepancies and action according to BSP procedures.

2.3

Acquire BSP documentation  according to BSP and organisation procedures.

3

Minimise waste of printed materials.

3.1

Minimise use of printed materials and maximise electronic transmission and filing of all documents to reduce waste and negative environmental impacts.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

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

• literacy skills to read, interpret and complete BSP reporting documents
• numeracy skills to calculate gross and nett ticket sales, IATA payments and refunds, costs and other reporting figures and to accurately reconcile the BSP return.

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

• role of IATA in BSP
• IATA agency accreditation requirements
• BSP procedures
• BSP reporting timeframes
• BSP documentation
• general understanding of airfares and ticketing.

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.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

• knowledge of BSP procedures and documentation
• ability to apply BSP rules and procedures and complete BSP documents within typical workplace time constraints and the reporting deadlines determined by IATA and organisation
• ability to complete multiple BSP documents accurately for multiple reporting periods and cover the full range of BSP reporting requirements relevant to the industry sector or organisation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• demonstration of skills within a fully equipped industry-realistic office environment using appropriate computers, printers, publications and software programs currently used in the tourism industry to control the administration of the billing and settlement plan
• use of industry-current actual or training facsimile IATA BSP documentation
• assessment by or in conjunction with an assessor currently accredited by IATA for BSP.

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:

• written exercises, quizzes and tests of BSP reporting activities
• review of actual or facsimile BSP documents completed by the candidate
• written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of rules and procedures applicable to the completion of BSP documents
• review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

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

• SITTTSL012B Construct domestic airfares
• SITTTSL013B Construct normal international airfares
• SITTTSL014B Construct promotional international airfares
• SITTTSL015B Construct advanced international airfares.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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.

BSP reports  may be for:

• domestic travel
• international travel.

BSP documentation  may include:

• paper-based or electronically transmitted materials
• hard copy stocks
• documents downloaded from BSP website
• sales transmittal
• refund notice
• refund application
• credit card charge forms
• traffic document inventory report (TDIR)
• BSP billing statement.

Sector 

Tourism

Competency field 

Tourism Sales and Operations