Work Safely Around Animals (Infection Control) Project

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Work safely around animals (infection control) was identified as a skill priority in the 2017 Animal Care and Management IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (see page 36). In addressing the need for new infection control units, the project will review and strengthen (as required) infection control outcomes in four existing animal care and management workplace health and safety units and one infection control unit.Skills Impact and the Animal Care and Management IRC will take will take this project through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.Download the IRC Skills Forecast (see page 36)

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Project Scope
This project will review five existing units of competency (listed below) from within the ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package, to ensure infection control outcomes reflect the needs of workers in the animal care and management industry.A key focus of the project is to define the skills and knowledge to minimise the transfer of disease from animals to workers in this industry. The project will research and develop up to six new units of competency to address:
  • basic infection control for volunteers in wildlife rescue, dog walking business and puppy day care
  • infection control in remote indigenous communities that have community animals
  • how to develop infection control protocols for a community organisation
  • infection control in veterinary clinics and practitioners
  • Equine specific infection control covering diseases such as:
    • Q Virus
    • Hendra Virus
    • Psittacosis
    • Herpes
    • Strangles

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Timeline
Early February 2018 Scoping and researchMid-February to March 2018 Development of draft materialsEarly to mid - March 2018 Industry consultation of draft materials (2 weeks)Early April to mid-April 2018 Industry validation of final drafts (2 weeks)Late April 2018 Finalisation of Training Package componentsMay 2018 Edit and Equity review of Training Package components, and Independent Quality AssuranceJune 2018 IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement 
Project Team
Evan CooperIndustry Facilitation Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]
Tom VassalloIndustry Skills Standards Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]
Sue HamiltonIndustry Skills Standards Contractor, Focus on Skills [email protected]
 
Subject Matter Experts
Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised units, skill sets and qualifications.If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected]
Opportunities for stakeholder input:
Below is a list of the current and existing units that will be reviewed as part of this project. Use the links below to view the components on training.gov.au.We invite you to provide your input on the current units. We would like to know what changes or updates should be made to the components so that they meet the skills needs of the industry, particularly how the current units can better reflect the skills and knowledge to minimise the transfer of disease from animals to workers in this industry.Your feedback will help us in drafting the revised qualifications and units. To provide feedback, please email Tom Vassallo - [email protected]  
 

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Subject Matter Experts are currently being consulted to draft revised units of competency and skill set for the Work Safely Around Animals (Infection Control) Project. Feedback from industry on the existing documents is also being considered as part of this process.
Consultation Webinars
15 March, 2018, 10:00am – 12:00pm AEDT – Webinar – register here15 March, 2018, 1:30pm – 3:30 AEDT – Webinar – register here
  

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Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the draft skill set and 12 units of competency.  The drafts were made available on the Skills Impact website for download and feedback from 5 – 20 March 2018, with two consultation webinars also taking place.Feedback was sought on whether the draft skill set and units reflect the current skills standards and practices of industry, and whether job functions are accurately described. The feedback will inform the work on the final drafts, which will be available for industry validation in April 2018.The draft skills set and units that were available for industry review and feedback are listed below.
  

Skill Set

ACMSS000XX Promote Animal Health in Remote Communities skill setDownload draft skill set
 
 

Units of Competency

Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
ACMINFXXX Oversee site biosecurity and infection controls working with animalsDownload draft unit
ACMINF20X Handle companion animals safely following infection control guidelinesDownload draft unit
ACMINF30X Implement infection control in the handling and care of native wildlifeDownload draft unit
ACMINF3XX Follow equine biosecurity and infection control proceduresDownload draft unit
ACMINF3XX Promote environmental health and safety for community animals in remote communitiesDownload draft unit 
ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care workDownload draft unit 
ACMINF50X Manage equine biosecurity and infection controlDownload draft unit
ACMINF50X Develop organisational animal infection control guidelinesDownload draft unit
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health and safety processesDownload draft unit
ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processesDownload draft unit
ACMWHS401 Maintain workplace health and safety processesDownload draft unit
ACMWHS501 Manage workplace health and safety processesDownload draft unit
 
  

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Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Animal Care & Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
Register your interest
 

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Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final draft skill set and units of competency, including the new entry level infection control unit.All final drafts will shortly progress through to the Finalisation stage of the project, which includes quality assurance of the documents and review and feedback from the State/Territory Training Authorities, before the final drafts will be forwarded to the Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off. They will then be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.Validation means checking and confirming that the skill set and units are logical and factually accurate.The final draft skill set and units that were available for industry validation are listed below.

New Entry Level Unit

This new unit was available for industry validation between 26 April – 10 May 2018.This new unit was developed in response to industry feedback that was received during the consultation stage for the draft ACMSS000XX Promote animal health in remote communities skill set and related units. Feedback from industry was that there was a need for an entry level unit to address the skills required for responsible pet/animal ownership, for learners with low levels of language, literacy and numeracy.A summary of the feedback that was received during the consultation period (29 March – 16 April 2018) and a description of its consideration and application in this final draft can be downloaded below. New unit – Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions
ACMINF101 Take responsibility for the health and welfare of animals in own careDownload final draft unit
  Changes to this unit include:
  • Minor changes to performance criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.4, 4.1 and 4.3.
  • Performance evidence modified to remove add list of infection control activities and personal hygiene.
  • Minor changes to the knowledge evidence to increase clarity of diseases and to add training methods for companion animals.
Download draft unit that was available for consultation between 29 March – 16 April 2018.

Skill Set & Units

The final draft skill set and units that were made available for industry validation, between 29 March – 16 April 2018, are listed below. Thank you to those who participated in the validation process.A summary of the feedback that was received during the consultation period (between 5 - 20 March 2018) and a description of its consideration and application in these final drafts can be downloaded below. Skill set and units - Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and ActionsComments and feedback on these final drafts is being collated for consideration by the Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee (IRC). After final quality assurance of the drafts, and review and feedback from the State/Territory Training Authorities, the final drafts will be forwarded to the IRC for consideration and sign off. They will then be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.
There are no changes to this skill set as there was no additional feedback received during previous consultation.
ACMSS000XX Promote animal health in remote communities skill setDownload final draft skill set
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
Unit Code and TitleProposed changes based on industry feedbackLink to Download
ACMINF201 Handle companion animals safely following infection control guidelinesChanges made throughout the unit and assessment requirements to better reflect AQF level 2.Element 6 deleted.Download final draft unit
ACMINF301 Comply with biosecurity and infection control policies and procedures in animal care workMinor changes to Performance Criteria, Foundation skills, performance Evidence, Knowledge Evidence and Assessment ConditionsDownload final draft unit
ACMINF302 Follow equine biosecurity and infection control proceduresPerformance Criteria (PC) deleted from Element 2. Minor changes to several PCs in Elements 1 to 6.Changes made to Knowledge Evidence and Assessment Conditions.Download final draft unit
ACMINF303 Implement infection control in the handling and care of native wildlifeRegulatory statement added to the Application. Minor changes to Performance Criteria (PC) in Elements 1 to 6. Numeracy Foundation Skill modified.Animal groups added to the Performance Evidence. Changes made to Knowledge Evidence and Assessment Conditions.Download final draft unit
ACMINF304 Promote environmental health and safety for community animals in remote communitiesTitle amended. Minor changes in the Application.Performance Criteria (PC) 1.3 and 1.4 deleted. Minor changes to Performance Criteria (PC) in Elements 1 to 5. Minor changes to Foundation skills, Performance Evidence and Assessment Conditions.Significant changes to the Knowledge Evidence.Download final draft unit
ACMINF401 Oversee site biosecurity and infection controls working with animalsMinor changes in the Application.Performance Criteria (PC) 1.2 added. Minor changes to Performance Criteria (PC) in Elements 1 to 4. Minor changes to Performance Evidence. Knowledge Evidence and Assessment Conditions.Download final draft unit
AACMINF501 Develop organisational infection control guidelines for animal care workplacesTitle amended. Minor change in the Application.Minor changes to Performance Criteria (PC) in Elements 1 to 5. Minor changes to Foundation skills, Performance Evidence and Assessment Conditions.Significant changes to the Knowledge Evidence.Download final draft unit
ACMINF502 Manage equine biosecurity and infection controlMinor change in the Application.Minor changes to Performance Criteria (PC) in Elements 2 to 4. Minor changes to Knowledge Evidence and Assessment Conditions.Download final draft unit
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
Unit Code and TitleProposed changes based on industry feedbackLink to Download
ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health and safety processesMinor changes throughout the unit and its assessment requirements to replace the acronym WHS and with workplace health and safety.Download final draft unit
ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processesMinor changes throughout the unit and its assessment requirements to replace the acronym WHS and with workplace health and safety.Download final draft unit
ACMWHS401 Maintain workplace health and safety processesMinor changes throughout the unit and its assessment requirements to replace the acronym WHS and with workplace health and safety.Download final draft unit
ACMWHS501 Manage workplace health and safety processesMinor changes throughout the unit and its assessment requirements to replace the acronym WHS and with workplace health and safety.Download final draft unit
 
 

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On the 12th September 2018, the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved the Case for Endorsement for the updated and revised skill set and units of competency, along with a Companion Volume Implementation Guide.The final skill set and units are now published on training.gov.au, which means they are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs). They are published within the ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package version 2 (published on 11/12/2018). Click here to view the training package.This project reviewed specific animal care units of competency so infection control outcomes reflect the needs of workers in the industry.
What does this mean for training providers?
Registered training organisations (RTOs) may now apply to have the updated skill set and units added to their scope of registration. RTOs who already have the qualifications and units that have been updated as part of this endorsement have 12 months to transition to deliver the updated qualifications, skill sets and units, from the date of publication. For more information, visit the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) website. A Companion Volume Implementation Guide has also been produced to help training providers implement the new and revised skill set and units. This can be downloaded from VETNet.com.
Summary of consultation
Meetings were held with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin and Alice Springs in February and March 2018 to gather information that informed the draft units and skill set. Nine public consultation workshops were held around Australia in January and February 2018 (Woodside South Australia, Melbourne, Launceston, Hobart, Richmond and Scone NSW, Perth, Gatton QLD and Darwin). Broad consultation also took place via two webinars, as well as the website, where the draft documents were made available for download and feedback for a four week period and again, for an additional two weeks, when the drafts were revised for validation.
Summary of project outcomes
  • 13 units of competency (includes 8 new units).
  • 1 new skill set for promoting animal health in remote communities.
Case for Endorsement
Please see the Case for Endorsement for more information about the work that was undertaken and why: Download the ACM Case for Endorsement (part 1 of 2)Note that qualifications, skill sets and units developed out of the Farriery Project were also approved as part of this Case for Endorsement.Two new performance horse units that were transitioned from a NSW accredited course were also included in the Case for Endorsement. Skills Impact were tasked in 2016-17 to transfer units from this course into the national endorsed system. The majority of this work was completed as part of the Equine Safety in Training Project. However, it was found that these two units (ACMPHR409 Analyse performance horse pedigrees and ACMPHR501 Manage legal aspects of horse enterprises) required further consultation with industry experts; they were therefore not included in Release 1 of the ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package, in August 2017. A review has been undertaken with industry experts and these two units have been published as part of the ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package version 2.0.
Please find below links to the skill set and units on training.gov.au 
There are no changes to this skill set as there was no additional feedback received during previous consultation.
ACMSS00016 Promote animal health in remote communities skill setView skill set on training.gov.au
 
Unit Code and TitleLink to Download
ACMINF101 Take responsibility for the health and welfare of animals in own careView unit on training.gov.au
ACMINF201 Handle companion animals safely follow infection control guidelinesView unit on training.gov.au
ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care workView unit on training.gov.au
ACMINF302 Follow equine biosecurity and infection control proceduresView unit on training.gov.au
ACMINF303 Implement infection control in the handling and care of native wildlifeView unit on training.gov.au
ACMINF401 Oversee site biosecurity and infection controls working with animalsView unit on training.gov.au
ACMINF501 Develop organisational infection control guidelines for animal care workplacesView unit on training.gov.au
ACMINF502 Manage equine biosecurity and infection controlView unit on training.gov.au
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
Unit Code and TitleLink to Download
ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health and safety processesView unit on training.gov.au
ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processesView unit on training.gov.au
ACMWHS401 Maintain workplace health and safety processesView unit on training.gov.au
ACMWHS501 Manage workplace health and safety processesView unit on training.gov.au

Performance Horse Units

ACMPHR409 Analyse performance horse pedigreesView unit on training.gov.au
ACMPHR501 Manage legal aspects of horse enterprisesView unit on training.gov.au
  

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Animal Care and Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
Register your interest