Topic Content
Unpacking Unit of Competency Terminology
Unpacking Unit of Competency Terminology:
 What are Units of Competency?
 What are the components of a Unit?
 What do they mean?
Unpacking Unit of Competency Terminology
What are Units of Competency?
Units of Competency:
 are nationally agreed statements of the skills and knowledge required for effective
performance in a particular job or job function


describe work outcomes
can logically stand alone when applied in a work situation
Each unit has a number of components that require careful analysis. It is important
when unpacking a Unit of Competency to always think it through with the intended
industry outcomes in mind.
What are the components of a Unit?
Units of Competency usually contain a number of components. Below are the core
components of a unit. Some units will separate some of these components into other
sections. Essentially the information in each unit is the same, even if separated under
different component headings.
Examples, where provided, are extracted from the Training and Assessment,
Construction, Plumbing and Services, and Information and Communications
Technology Training Packages.
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 The State of Queensland (Department of Education and Training), 2009
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Topic Content
Unpacking Unit of Competency Terminology
Term /
Component
Code
Description and examples
Each Unit of Competency is assigned a National Reference code which
conforms to national coding requirements. The code tells you the relevant
training package and its version.
Some unit codes also indicate the industry field or stream and the AQF
level of the qualification relevant to that unit.
Examples:

Training and Assessment: unit TAADES401B
o TAA – this unit is part of the Training and Assessment Training
Package
o DES – this unit belongs to the Design industry field or stream
o 4 – this unit belongs to a Certificate IV level
o 01 – this unit is the first unit in the Design stream
o B – version 2 of this unit

Information and Communication Technology: unit ICAS3031B
o ICA – this unit is part of the Information and Communication
Technology Training Package
o S – this unit belongs to the Support industry field
o 3 – Certificate level 3
o 031 – this unit is the 31st unit within the Support field
o B – version 2 of the unit
Title
The title describes the work activity covered by the unit
Examples:

Work safely in the construction industry

Provide advice to clients
Unit Descriptor The descriptor clarifies the purpose of the unit by describing the work
/ Description
function. It provides information on the content of the unit and the skill
areas it addresses. It can include pre-requisite skills and licensing
requirements.
In some units additional information is provided listed under separate
headings like Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, Associated units and/or
Application of the Unit.
Examples:
CPCCOHS1001A – This unit of competency specifies the outcomes
required to undertake Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) induction
training within the construction industry. It requires the ability to
demonstrate personal awareness of OHS legislative requirements, and the
basic principles of risk management and prevention of injury and illness in
the construction industry. Licensing requirements will apply to this unit of
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 The State of Queensland (Department of Education and Training), 2009
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Topic Content
Unpacking Unit of Competency Terminology
competency depending on the regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction.
ICAS3031A - This unit defines the competency required to provide advice
and support to clients including the communication of comprehensive
technical information.
Employability
Skills
This component indicates that the unit contains embedded employability
skills. Since January 2007, all new and revised Training Packages have
had ‘employability skills’ embedded within each Unit of Competency.
Employability Skills have replaced Key Competencies. If your unit has
embedded Employability Skills, you need to refer to the Employability Skills
Summary detailed in the Qualifications Framework section of the Training
Package.
Elements
Elements are the basic building blocks of a Unit of Competency. Each
element describes a major skill required to carry out the work. Reading the
elements of competency helps you to understand which specific work skills
will be the focus of training and assessment.
Performance
Criteria
Performance criteria are statements within each element. They express
what workplace activity is to be done and the required level of
performance. Each numbered performance criterion describes an aspect
of the major skill identified in the element. In some Training Packages, key
words and phrases within performance criteria are written in bold or
italicised print. This is to let you know they are explained in more detail in
the unit – in the Range statement section.
Examples of Elements and Performance Criteria:
Unit
Element
Performance Criteria
ICA3031B
3. Obtain
client
feedback
3.1
Create an appropriate evaluation
or feedback form or other
mechanism to gather feedback
about the solution and support
provided
1.1
Discussions are held with relevant
persons to confirm training and/or
assessment needs of the client
(extract)
TAADES401B 1. Define the
basis for
(extract)
using
Training
Package/s
and
accredited
courses
Range
Statement
The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It
allows for different work environments and situations that may affect
performance.
The range statement is important because it strengthens the link between
Performance Criteria and the requirements of the workplace. The bold
words and phrases provide more detailed explanations of key words and
phrases already used in the Performance Criteria. Guided by the range
statement, you can use your industry experience to further strengthen the
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Unpacking Unit of Competency Terminology
links between the training and the workplace skill requirements. The
Range Statement does not cover every possible instance or variation.
Example:
TAADES401B (extract)
Relevant persons may
include:
Evidence
Guide






training managers/coordinators
other managers/supervisors
industry or organisational clients
consultants
colleagues
other people who work for a training
and/or assessment organisation
 personnel at national Industry Skills
Councils (ISCs)
 industry experts
 industry networks/trainers/facilitators
Evidence is the basis of assessment. It provides direction for you to
identify the evidence you will need to determine whether a person is
competent in the unit.
The Evidence Guide assists with the interpretation and assessment of the
unit and usually contains:

an overview of assessment in the industry context

critical aspects to be considered for assessment and the evidence
required to demonstrate competence

the context of, and any specific resources required, for assessment

suggested methods of assessment

any further guidance information for assessment

access and equity considerations where relevant

required knowledge and skills
In some Units of Competency, these components may be listed in other
sections of the unit.
The Evidence Guide is an integral part of the unit and should be read and
interpreted in conjunction with other components.
Unpacking Unit of Competency Terminology:
 What are Units of Competency?
 What are the components of a Unit?
 What do they mean?
116104243
 The State of Queensland (Department of Education and Training), 2009
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