Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for the health and welfare of animals in a permaculture system through providing the optimal environment for them, caring for animals common in permaculture systems, animal behaviour and handling and maintaining basic records. This unit is applicable to both farm animals and companion animals.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures, including animal welfare, quarantine and work health and safety policies and procedures.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Monitor and assess animal health and welfare | 1.1 Check animals regularly 1.2 Recognise and report symptoms of ill health, common diseases or parasite infestations in animals 1.3 Remove and dispose of any dead animals |
2. Provide an optimal environment for animals | 2.1 Assess animal’s needs in conjunction with work team and supervisor 2.2 Install equipment and housing 2.3 Monitor welfare of animals and report any issues |
3. Establish and maintain quality of animal housing | 3.1 Follow health and safety procedures, practices, policies and precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment 3.2 Maintain cleanliness and hygiene of animal housing 3.3 Follow any quarantine procedures as instructed by supervisor 3.4 Maintain personal hygiene in all animal handling activities 3.5 Dismantle and clean equipment and correctly replace fittings 3.6 Control pest and vermin when necessary 3.7 Dispose of all waste and debris, and deal with run off 3.8 Conduct routine disease or parasite infestation prevention procedures |
4. Implement and record control strategies | 4.1 Report any disease incidence or animal losses to the supervisor 4.2 Implement preventative strategies and quarantine measures as instructed by the supervisor 4.3 Maintain and enter records |
Evidence of Performance
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:
assess animal health and welfare
provide an optimal environment for animals
feed and water animals
handle animals safely and humanely
move animals to different housing or pastures when necessary
implement and record animal health and welfare control strategies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles and practices related to animal care in a permaculture system
animals common to permaculture systems in a given region or system
role or niche of animals in system and interrelationship with other animals, plants or systems
principles of animal feeding and nutrition
principles of animal health, welfare and care
symptoms of ill-health in animals
legislation and regulations relating to animal health and welfare
signs of animal fear, aggression and stress
handling of animals
safe handling of sick and dead animals
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)