Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to review and audit arboriculture operations for tree establishment, restoration, repair, protection, tree pruning, tree support systems and removal works and produce specifications required to rectify identified non-compliance.
The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture and analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.
Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some states and territories.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Identify and prepare audit information | 1.1 Identify audit objectives, scope and focus 1.2 Identify target operations and documentation 1.3 Determine audit process and sampling technique 1.4 Determine frequency and schedule of audit events 1.5 Acquire and prepare audit documentation and information ready for audit 1.6 Conduct pre-audit communications with client and relevant stakeholders |
2. Audit tree works | 2.1 Organise on-site inspections to conduct audit process 2.2 Audit tree work operations being undertaken 2.3 Inspect and assess impact of arboricultural tree work on the tree health, structure, environment and development works 2.4 Audit works according to prepared documentation and legislative and regulatory requirements 2.5 Audit work to identify compliance with project documentation, and legislative and regulatory requirements 2.6 Record non-compliance according to audit procedures 2.7 Assess extent and manner of non-compliance against workplace and industry standards 2.8 Document findings according to audit and workplace procedures |
3. Assess impact of non-arboricultural works | 3.1 Inspect and assess non-arboricultural works impacting on the tree or work environment 3.2 Determine impact of non-arboricultural works of contractors and stakeholders 3.3 Provide feedback on non-arboricultural works to contractors and stakeholders |
4. Provide feedback to stakeholders on audit | 4.1 Provide feedback on the findings of audit to clients, contractors and stakeholders 4.2 Provide advice for improvement, rectification and management of non-conformances 4.3 Identify and specify priority of ongoing tree management |
5. Specify remedial action for tree defects | 5.1 Identify and assess impact of remedial action on tree and stakeholder expectations 5.2 Discuss tree retention value and remedial action options with stakeholder 5.3 Select and agree on acceptable remedial action with stakeholder 5.4 Document specifications for remedial action according to workplace procedures, industry standards and design parameters 5.5 Submit specifications to stakeholder for final approval |
6. Document and present audit report, notifications and plans | 6.1 Document audit report with non-conformance notifications 6.2 Advise stakeholders according to legislative and regulatory requirements 6.3 Document an ongoing management plan addressing audit findings 6.4 Document a rectification plan specifying the required rectifications of non-conformances and remedial action 6.5 Review audit process and outcomes and recommend modifications to audit process 6.6 Prepare and present reports and plans to stakeholders according to workplace procedures |
Evidence of Performance
An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.
There must be evidence that the individual has, on at least two occasions, audited tree works and created a report with specifications for rectification.
For each of the two audits, there must be evidence that the individual has:
identified audit objectives, scope and focus
identified target operations and documentation
determined audit process, sampling technique, frequency and schedule
compiled and prepared audit documentation
communicated audit preparations with client and stakeholders
organised site inspections to conduct audit
conducted audits of operational tree works for each of the following activities:
pruning, including root pruning
tree removal
transplanting and planting
tree protection on development sites
tree support systems
arboricultural practices
inspected and assessed impact of works on tree health, structure, environment and development
conducted the audit according to prepared documents and legislative requirements
audited compliance of works to documented project outcomes
recorded and assessed non-compliances against expected standards
prepared records of audit and non-compliances
inspected and assessed non-arboricultural works
determined impact of non-arboricultural works of contractors and stakeholders
provided feedback on the findings of inspections to stakeholders, including provided advice for:
improvements
rectification
management of non-conformances
identified and specified ongoing management priorities
discussed tree retention with stakeholder
identified and assessed effect of remedial action on tree and stakeholder expectations and selected remedial action
documented remedial action, which must include specifications for:
tree removal
tree transplanting
pruning, including root pruning work
tree support system
tree protection
documented audit report and non-conformance notifications and advised stakeholders according to regulatory requirements
documented ongoing management plan, which must include:
specifying the tree management techniques and ongoing maintenance
practices required to address the audit findings
documented a rectification plan specifying rectification of non-conformances
prepared and presented reports and plans to stakeholders.
Evidence of Knowledge
An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:
developing and planning for audits, including:
setting objectives, scope and focus
auditing terminology
audit processes
audit sampling techniques
setting frequency and timing of audit events
preparation of audit documentation
communication in audit situations, including:
notifying and preparing stakeholders for audit
providing feedback after auditing
rectification notices and follow-up for non-compliance
negotiating rectification works and actions
reporting procedures of completed audit
relevant audit information and sample documentation, including:
codes of practice
Australian Standards including, AS2303, AS2223, AS3743, AS4373 and AS4970
arboriculture reports and specifications
legislation and regulations governing audit procedures and topics, including:
responsibilities for safety and safe work practices
tree protection and removal
conservation and environmental protection
statutory reporting and documentation
targeting, auditing and documenting specific tree work operations, including:
pruning, including root pruning
tree removal
planting and transplanting
tree protection techniques
arboricultural practices and construction and development activities
tree support systems
inspection and assessment of tree works and impact on physiology, anatomy, pathology and environment
inspections and assessment of non-arboricultural works that may impact on the tree or its environment
reconciling actual works performed against documented planned works
provision of feedback and findings of inspections to clients, contractors and stakeholders
improvement, rectification and management of non-conformances
documenting specified remedial action, including:
tree removal
pruning, crown maintenance and crown modifications
response of roots to wounding and treatment of severed roots
planting and transplanting
tree support systems
tree protection systems
tree management techniques and practices
rectifying and modifying work site practices and tree protection measures for trees on development sites
ongoing management and maintenance
documentation for recording and reporting audit procedures, including reviewing and revising audit procedures.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
an arboriculture work site with trees, or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
resources, equipment and materials:
computer with word processing software
digital image capture device
specifications:
workplace safety policies and procedures
client brief and instruction for safety audit objectives
codes of practice relevant to tree works and use of arboriculture equipment
industry standards AS2303, AS2223, AS3743, AS4373 and AS4970
legislation and regulations relevant to safe work practices, environmental safety and conservation and protection of trees
relationships:
client and stakeholders.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:
arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interpret complex texts, including industry standards and workplace procedures, to extract critical information required for the tree work to be performed |
Writing | Create complex written arborist reports, demonstrating control over a range of writing styles using industry-specific language |
Oral communication | Use effective verbal communication, including open questioning and active listening, to communicate effectively with contractors, clients and other stakeholders |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)