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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan for the shooting job
   • Map location and boundaries for the shoot in accordance with the pest management plan and monitoring program
   • Confirm location of habitats, habits and range of movement of target animal
   • Determine timing of the shoot based on the activity patterns of the target animal and estimate time required to complete the shoot
   • Identify hazards associated with the shoot
   • Identify environmental and personal and public safety risks associated with the shoot
   • Identify and use suitable personal protective equipment and warning signs required for the job
2. Prepare for the shooting job
   • Confirm anatomy and physical features identifying location of vulnerable organs of target animal
   • Take precautions to minimise hazards and environmental risks associated with the shoot
   • Select vehicles, equipment and materials intended for use and check for serviceability
   • Check firearm licences and permits are applicable to purpose and obtain new license/permit if necessary
   • Select firearm and ammunition types to comply with those recommended for the target animal
   • Check firearms, ammunition, and stowage for transportation meets licensing requirements
   • Check and prepare firearm and ammunition
   • Zero and test fire firearm
   • Stow firearm for transport making sure it is unloaded and in a safe mode
3. Shoot animals
   • Carry firearm safely with muzzle pointing in safe direction at all times
   • Load, discharge and unload firearm safely
   • Aim firearm at vulnerable site, on the target animal and kill using a single shot
   • Check each target animal to ensure it is dead prior to selecting the next target animal where possible
   • Destroy target animals that have not been killed cleanly in a humane manner
   • Handle carcases that are required for research or commercial use carefully and in a way to minimise personal health and safety and biosecurity risks
   • Dispose of animal carcases that are not required for research or other purposes according to enterprise procedures to minimise biosecurity or public safety and health risks
4. Clean and store equipment and material
   • Clean and store carcases for research or commercial use
   • Clean and store equipment and materials
   • Clean, maintain and store firearms
   • Store ammunition safely
   • Report or record job completion

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

operate a firearm safely in accordance with statutory requirements

zero and test fire the firearm safely at a range under supervision at a distance that is commensurate with the target animals to be destroyed

stow the firearm safely for transport

clean, maintain and store firearms safely and in accordance with statutory requirements

check target animal is dead and euthanase immediately, if necessary, according to relevant animal welfare codes of practice

use personal protective equipment to handle carcases to prevent contracting zoonotic diseases

apply work health and safety policies and procedures at all times

apply biosecurity measures when handling, transporting or disposing of carcases

apply appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

how to find the pertinent information in the organisation's pest management plan

the environmental hazards and risks associated with the shoot

the safety hazards and risk management strategies associated with the shoot

how to check and prepare the firearm and ammunition

how to check a target animal that has been fired on to ensure it is dead

anatomy and physical features and vulnerable sites, or humane points on target animal

procedures for the safe handling of carcases required for research or commercial use

procedures for the safe disposal of animal carcases not required for other purposes

reporting and recording procedures required by the pest management plan

location and boundaries for the shoot

habitats, habits and range of movement of target animals

personal protective equipment required for the shoot

application of the 1996 National Firearms Agreement to the licensing, storage and use of firearms

firearm and ammunition types recommended for the target animal

State and territory gun control laws, acts and regulatory requirements relating to the use of firearms to humanely destroy animals

the basic requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice

prevention of cruelty to animals legislation applicable to destruction of animals

basic requirements for biosecurity in the context of destruction of animals

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