Air Cargo Security Awareness
Training
Guidance for Regulated Air Cargo Agents
November 2014
Contents
CONTENTS ............................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 3
ABOUT SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING ...................................................................... 3
PREPARING AIR CARGO SECURITY AWARENESS INFORMATION ................................. 3
Suggested learning outcomes ............................................................................................ 3
Suggested training topics ................................................................................................... 3
Training resources.............................................................................................................. 4
DELIVERY OF TRAINING ..................................................................................................... 4
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING ............................................................................................. 5
REFRESHER TRAINING ....................................................................................................... 6
MAINTAINING TRAINING RECORDS ................................................................................... 6
QUALITY CONTROL ............................................................................................................. 6
2 Air cargo security awareness guidance for RACAs – November 2014
Introduction
This guidance has been developed by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
(the Department) to assist Regulated Air Cargo Agents (RACAs) with the delivery of security
awareness training.
Under the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005, RACAs are required to provide
appropriate security training to their employees in accordance with their Transport Security
Program (TSP).
About security awareness training
Security awareness training aims to raise employee awareness of potential security threats to air
cargo and highlight how employees can play an important role in securing Australia’s air cargo
supply chain.
Preparing air cargo security awareness information
Suggested learning outcomes
Upon completion of security awareness training, employees should know:


there are potential threats to air cargo security and all employees can play a role in
securing the air cargo supply chain.
they have a responsibility to follow and apply their workplace procedures to protect the
security of air cargo.

how to identify basic actions they can take to protect access to air cargo and sensitive
information.


how to recognise examples of suspicious activities, behaviour and cargo.
they have a responsibility to follow their workplace procedures to resolve and report
concerns about air cargo security.
Suggested training topics
Australia’s air cargo security



Basic information about the terrorist threat to aviation and the supply chain.
Overview of relevant legislation, regulations and security programs.
Overview of key security principles applied to international air cargo.
Security measures and procedures


Securing air cargo for transport on an aircraft.
Protecting the security of cleared air cargo.
Air cargo security awareness training guidance for RACAs – November 2014 3


Controlling access to cargo handling areas and facilities.
Protecting security information from unauthorised disclosure.
Suspicious activities, behaviour and cargo

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Signs and indications of suspicious activities and items.
Signs and indications of suspicious behaviour.
Signs and indications of suspect cargo or packages.
Security reporting procedures


Reporting suspicious activities, behaviour and suspect cargo.
Reporting aviation security incidents.
Training resources
Resources available from the Department

Air cargo security awareness training guidance for RACAs

Air Cargo Security Awareness Training online training product

Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s website
Legislation
 Aviation Transport Security Act 2004
 Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005
Workplace security procedures and policies

RACA TSP for your business

Organisational policies and procedures, e.g. standard operating procedures
Delivery of training
New employees should receive security awareness training prior to deployment or as soon after
engagement as practicable.
The Department’s online training product has been developed in line with the suggested learning
outcomes and training topics below. This product contains sample content that can be used for
security awareness training. All RACAs are provided access to the eLearning module at no cost.
RACAs may choose to develop and deliver their own security awareness programs, guided by the
products provided by the Department, to suit specific business or operational needs.
RACAs may choose to engage a third party training provider to develop and deliver appropriate
security awareness training to their employees on their behalf.
4 Air cargo security awareness guidance for RACAs – November 2014
Practical and theoretical training methods should be appropriate to the operating environment and
workplace facilities. Information should be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language,
literacy and numeracy capacity of the employee.
Training methods may include:



classroom learning;
practical demonstration in the workplace;
practical demonstration in a simulated environment;


group work; and/or
computer-based learning (eLearning).
Training materials can be developed to assist presentation of content and may include:

detailed notes;




hand-outs;
workbooks;
self-paced guides; and/or
teaching and training aids (e.g. PowerPoint slides).
Assessment of learning
All employees should be assessed to confirm they have the required knowledge and skills to meet
performance standards expected in the workplace.
Assessment methods should be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and
numeracy capacity of the employee and the knowledge and skills being assessed. Methods to
assess an employee’s knowledge and understanding may include:





structured probing oral or written questioning;
written assessment;
multiple choice test;
scenario-based questions; and/or
computer-based objective tests;
Practical skills may be assessed by observation of individual tasks in a simulated environment at
the place training is to be conducted, and/or in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
Assessment of learning should be conducted during and/or at the end of the training. Employees
should receive feedback and further coaching on areas of the training they cannot demonstrate an
acceptable level of knowledge or skill. If necessary, additional training may be required to make
sure an employee can apply the knowledge and skills required in the workplace.
Air cargo security awareness training guidance for RACAs – November 2014 5
Refresher training
Refresher training may be provided to employees periodically as a positive measure for ensuring
understanding of security issues and minimising the potential for a security incident or breach.
Refresher training should aim to recall and reinforce previously acquired knowledge and skills
during initial training. An abbreviated version of the content delivered during initial training can be
used.
A suggested time period for refresher training is every 24 months. The time period should be
appropriate to the nature of your operations and specific needs of your employees.
Where a trained employee leaves the operation temporarily, due to long-term leave of absence,
also consider providing refresher training or full security awareness training upon their return to
work.
Maintaining training records
Training records maintained by RACAs may be requested by the Department as evidence of
compliance with provisions in your TSP.
Training records may be electronic or physical records that include the following information:

employee’s full legal name;


name of employer and/or Australian Business Number;
details of the training completed; and
date on which the training was satisfactorily completed.

RACAs may choose to recognise training successfully completed with other RACAs and
Accredited Air Cargo Agents where training is relevant, current and can be verified.
To support the recognition of prior learnings across the regulated industry consider retaining an
employee’s training records for a short time following cessation of their employment.
Quality control
RACAs should have in place processes and procedures to review and update security awareness
training programs.
Training programs and materials used by RACAs may be requested by the Department as
evidence of compliance with provisions in your TSP.
6 Air cargo security awareness guidance for RACAs – November 2014