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.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by candidates conducting peer reviews of NatHERS assessments. This should include providing evidence of preparing for peer reviews, conducting peer reviews, and recording and reporting the outcomes of reviews.

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

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

prepare for the peer review, including identifying the risks associated with the building design assessed by the candidate to determine areas of data to be reviewed

conduct a peer review process, on an individual basis or in a panel situation, and make a professional judgement on a NatHERS assessment

provide the outcomes of the peer review process and feedback for the candidate

evaluate the peer review process with a view to indicating aspects for future improvement

demonstrate knowledge of organisation’s peer review policy and procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit:

must be in the context of the work environment

may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

must meet relevant compliance requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

relevant codes, standards and government regulations

computer equipment suitable for preparing reports and accessing information relevant to the peer assessment process

technical reference library with current publications on peer review and the administrative and governance arrangements for NatHERS.

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods:

written and/or oral assessment

observed, documented and/or first-hand testimonial evidence of the candidate conducting peer reviews of NatHERS assessments.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Required skills

communication skills to interact effectively and ethically with participants in peer review processes

data analysis skills to interpret NatHERS assessment information supplied by peer review candidates

decision-making and problem-solving skills to evaluate NatHERS assessments that are subject to peer review

literacy skills to:

read and interpret information used in peer review processes

prepare reports of outcomes of peer reviews

numeracy skills to accurately verify data in NatHERS assessments that are subject to peer review

planning, organising and scheduling skills to arrange peer reviews of NatHERS assessments

technology skills to:

use computer software and hardware to analyse NatHERS assessments

prepare reports on outcomes of peer review processes

time-management skills to efficiently and effectively plan, implement and manage peer review processes

Required knowledge

commonwealth, state and territory, and local government legislation, regulations and codes of practice impacting on thermal performance assessment relating to:

anti-discrimination and equal opportunity

building and construction

building thermal performance

environment protection

occupational licensing

privacy

sale and lease of property

work health and safety

National Construction Code energy efficiency requirements

NatHERS:

accredited software

administrative and governance arrangements

assessor accreditation

assessor accrediting organisations

regulatory framework

organisation’s quality management system

peer review:

individual and group peer review processes

organisational policy and procedures

principles of assessment

privacy and confidentiality

purpose of peer review

security of information

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.

Peer review may include:

group process

individual process.

Specialist support may include:

NatHERS assessors

policy development experts

regulatory authorities

subject matter experts on:

energy efficiency

building and construction.

Feedback may include:

discussion of assessment approach

negotiation of agreed assessment procedures for the assessment.