Fisheries Compliance Project

Menu: Click across the green arrows to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.

Case for change

This project will review 4 qualifications and 29 units of competency from the SFI11 Seafood Industry Training Package, in light of changes and updates to legislation and regulations relevant to fisheries compliance officers and industry. The qualifications and units will be updated to reflect these changes, so fisheries compliance officers can respond to increasing threats of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and also respond to (and prevent) biosecurity threats. Changing legislation and regulations across the Commonwealth, state and territory domains adds a layer of complication to a multi-jurisdictional issue with a connectedness to biosecurity success. The project will also review qualifications and units of competency with regard to advancements in technology.

In the aquaculture and fishing industry there are multiple and complex regulatory processes across jurisdictions and variations between licence and lease arrangements. These can inhibit and negatively impact on the industry’s ability to gain approvals for new or existing operations.

The Aquaculture and Wild Catch Industry Reference Committee (IRC) have had discussions across various industry sectors regarding the need to ensure fisheries compliance is addressed immediately within the existing training package to ensure it meets the needs of industry.

This project is being carried out in conjunction with the Aquaculture, Fishing Operations and Biosecurity Project and Seafood Post Harvest Project.

The Industry Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project, after these skills priorities were outlined in the 2018-2020 IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work. Skills Impact and the Aquaculture and Wild Catch Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.

Download the IRC Skills Forecast

Project Plan

Project Scope

This project will review 4 qualifications and 29 units of competency within the SFI Seafood Industry Training Package, to address the growing compliance requirements in the seafood industry. Advancements in technology and environmental sustainability and management will also be considered.

Compliance is a critical function across all sectors of the seafood industry. Successful fisheries management depends heavily on achieving public and industry compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This is best achieved when there is close and ongoing cooperation between fishers (recreational and commercial) and compliance agencies, and where there is a high level of awareness and understanding about management arrangements and a sense of shared responsibility and stewardship.

Scroll down to view the qualifications and units that will be reviewed in this project, and the various job roles and skilled activities they cover.

As part of the review process, documents will be updated to meet Standards for Training Packages and to address the Council of Australian Governments’ reforms.

This project is carried out at the same time as the Aquaculture, Fishing Operations and Biosecurity Project and Seafood Post Harvest Project.

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Relevant Occupations

Support compliance officer
Indigenous sea ranger
Trainee fisheries officer
Fisheries officer*
Fisheries compliance officer*
Business manager
Senior fisheries and marine officer
Senior fisheries officer
Supervising fisheries and marine officer
Marine park and transport officers
Aquaculture workers
Seafood process workers
Seafood wholesalers

*Fisheries officers and Fisheries compliance officers are employed by Commonwealth or state regulatory agencies to deliver information and advice on any number of fisheries issues involving recreational and commercial fishers and the wider community. They are also tasked with optimising compliance with laws and associated regulations. Activities include fraud investigation, surveillance and observer operations. In some jurisdictions, some compliance functions are undertaken by police and sea ranger groups.

Key deliverables

Review of occupations relevant to aquaculture and fisheries compliance.
Review and improve 4 qualifications and 29 units of competency.
Where gaps are identified, up to 10 new units and up to 2 new skills sets may be developed.
Review and possibly delete identified qualifications and units of competency.

Timeline

Please register your interest to be informed at each project stage and receive details of workshops and consultations.

September – October 2018
Subject Matter Expert Consultations
Workforce Functional Analysis (to identify job roles and functions within the Seafood Industry)
Development of draft qualifications and units and skill sets as required

November 2018
Drafts available for broad consultation

February 2019
Validation of final drafts

February- March 2019
Independent Quality Assurance and Edit and Equity review of Training Package components
Finalisation of Training Package components

March 2019
Aquaculture and Wild Catch Industry Reference Committee consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement

Project Team

Rebecca Ford	Industry Skills Standards Specialist, Skills Impact [email protected]
Michelle Ingley-Smith	Industry Engagement Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]
Lina Robinson	Skills Development Specialist

The Aquaculture and Wild Catch Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will oversee this project, as part of their responsibilities to support engagement with the sector, and to ensure projects meets industry stakeholder needs.

Qualification and units

Below is a list of current qualifications and units proposed for revision and development as part of this project.

In preparation for the review of these components, we invite you to provide your input on the current qualifications and 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. Use the links below to view the current components on training.gov.au.

Your feedback will help us in drafting the revised qualifications and units.

To provide feedback, please use our feedback form. Alternatively, you can email Rebecca Ford [email protected].

Qualifications

Qualifications that will be reviewed as part of this project include:

Units

Units that will be reviewed as part of this project include:

Stakeholder Consultation Process

A list of key stakeholder organisations is being developed for this project. Skills Impact will ensure contact is made with each of these organisations during the development of this project to seek their involvement and their views on the draft qualifications and units.

If you are aware of an organisation that you think should be involved, please contact the project team to ensure they are contacted by us.

Of course, all and any interested industry participants are encouraged to engage in the consultation of this project, when the draft qualifications and units are available for feedback via this webpage and workshops that take place around Australia. Consultation is not limited to the organisations on this list. This list simply helps us to identify those organisations that, because of their industry role, size or specialty, are likely to have a key interest in the development and outcomes of this project.

Opportunities for stakeholder input

Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The documents will be drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available, which is expected in November 2018, and again for validation of final drafts which is expected in February 2019. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the qualification and units. It is important that training provides a skilled and flexible workforce for the future. The qualification and units need to reflect real work experience. So if you work in the sector, Skills Impact would appreciate your input and help. Please feel free to register your interest for project updates and consultation opportunities by following the newsletter subscription link below. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project manager, Rebecca Ford on 03 9321 3526 or [email protected].

Subject Matter Experts

Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised units 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].

Development

Subject Matter Experts have been consulted to draft the revised qualifications and units of competency to address skills gaps across the fisheries compliance industry areas, and to suggest possible skill sets. Meetings with these experts also identified the various job roles and tasks that exist within the fisheries compliance sector.

Broad stakeholder consultation is scheduled to commence mid-to-late November, when the draft units and skill sets will be available for comment on this webpage (under the ‘Drafts Available’ menu above). Your input is welcomed, please feel free to register your interest to keep informed of project updates and when draft materials are available for feedback.

Please click on the ‘Project Plan’ menu above to read more about the project scope, timeline, deliverables and to see the list of units and skill sets proposed for development.

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Drafts Available

Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the four revised qualifications and 31 units of competency. The drafts were made available on this webpage for broad stakeholder review from 19 November – 6 December 2018.

Feedback was sought on whether the draft qualifications, skill sets and units reflect the current skills standards and practices of industry, and whether job functions are accurately described. Feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which will be available for industry validation in February 2019.

Please note that these qualifications and units relate to people in the role of Fisheries Compliance Officers and/or Managers. A new skill set is currently being developed as part of the Aquaculture, Fishing Operations and Biosecurity Project to provide training for operators to better understand their compliance and regulatory obligations.

Summary of consultation to date

Feedback on the draft documents was collected via the online feedback hub, face-to-face consultation workshops and webinars. To view the draft documents, including comments that were made on them from people using the feedback hub, please click on the expandable document menus below.

The draft qualifications and units have been developed in consultation with Subject Matter Experts, to address skills gaps across the fisheries compliance industry areas and to suggest possible skill sets. Meetings with these experts also identified the various job roles and tasks that exist within the fisheries compliance sector.

Qualifications

Revised qualifications

All qualifications have been updated to meet the Standards for Training Packages 2012. The packaging rules have been revised to better reflect job roles and activities. Refer to Qualification Mapping Information on each document to view major changes.

SFI20419 Certificate II in Fisheries Compliance Support	View qualification
SFI30419 Certificate III in Fisheries Compliance	View qualification
SFI40419 Certificate IV in Fisheries Compliance	View qualification
SFI50419 Diploma of Fisheries Compliance	View qualification

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

Units of Competency

New unit

Although a unit exists for promoting fisheries management awareness programs, at an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 4. There is no unit for for conducting them. This unit has bene developed to fill this skills gap.

SFICPL310 Conduct fisheries management awareness programs

View unit

The draft document can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

Revised units

All units have been reviewed to ensure current practice and terminology, and that skill complexity is appropriately aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

All units have also been transitioned to comply with the Standards for Training Packages 2012:

Simplified to only include what is essential and required
Delivery advice now appears in an Implementation Guide
Description of essential foundation skills
Assessments strengthened to state frequency, volume and type of evidence required
Language reviewed for clarity.

SFICPL201 Undertake a local operation	View unit
SFICPL202 Conduct field observations	View unit
SFICPL203 Promote sustainable use of local marine and freshwater environments	View unit
SFICPL205 Communicate effectively in cross-cultural environments	View unit
SFICPL302 Exercise compliance powers	View unit
SFICPL308 Monitor fish catches for legal compliance	View unit
SFICPL313 Maintain operational safety	View unit
SFICPL314 Board vessel at sea	View unit
SFICPL315 Support the judicial process	View unit
SFICPL316 Gather, collate and record information	View unit
SFICPL317 Facilitate effective communication in the workplace	View unit
SFICPL318 Perform administrative duties	View unit
SFICPL401 Administer the district office	View unit
SFICPL402 Plan the surveillance operation	View unit
SFICPL403 Operate and maintain surveillance equipment	View unit
SFICPL404 Operate an observation post	View unit
SFICPL405 Perform post-surveillance duties	View unit
SFICPL406 Perform mobile surveillance	View unit
SFICPL407 Undertake prosecution procedures for magistrate’s court	View unit
SFICPL409 Plan and undertake patrol operations	View unit
SFICPL410 Promote fisheries management awareness programs	View unit
SFICPL411 Implement fisheries compliance	View unit
SFICPL412 Operate in remote areas	View unit
SFICPL414 Manage own professional performance	View unit
SFICPL501 Conduct an investigative audit	View unit
SFICPL502 Contribute to fisheries management	View unit
SFICPL503 Undertake the prosecution in a trial	View unit
SFIOBS301 Monitor and record fishing operations	View unit
SFIOBS303 Collect routine fishery management data	View unit
SFIOBS304 Analyse and report onboard observations	View unit

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

Units proposed for deletion

Unit code and title	Rationale	Link to view
SFICOM204B Present evidence in a court setting	Feedback from Subject Matter Experts was that this unit does not apply to a Certificate II level learner in fisheries compliance as it is too complex/specific. Certificate II level workers are observers only, they don’t get involved in investigations or prosecutions at this level. They observe and record data.	View unit
SFICOM310C Operate off-road vehicles	Feedback from Subject Matter Experts was that AURTGA001 Drive and manoeuvre trailers was better suited to fisheries compliance jobs than the SFICOM310 unit.	View unit

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Validation

Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final draft qualifications and units of competency. The documents were initially made available on this webpage from 17 December 2018 – 28 January 2019. Following requests from industry, the validation period was extended to 12 February 2019. This was to allow more time for feedback on the proposed deletion of SFICPL205 Present evidence in a court setting. The unit has been redesigned and is available for review and feedback below. Please note that the unit has also been given a new code, changing from the original SFICPL204, which has been assigned to another unit.

Please note that these qualifications and units relate to people in the role of Fisheries Compliance Officers and/or Managers.

The 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. They will then be forwarded to the Meat Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off, before being 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 documents are logical and factually accurate. We are seeking your views on whether the final draft units and skill sets accurately reflect the current industry skills standards, knowledge and practices and whether all job functions are accurately described.

Summary of consultation to date

Prior to the Validation period, the draft qualifications and units were made available on the Skills Impact website under the ‘Drafts Available’ stage from 19 November – 6 December 2018. Feedback on the draft documents was collected via an online feedback hub, emails and a face-to-face consultation workshop with members of the National Fisheries Compliance Committee.

A description of how this feedback has been consideration and applied in these final drafts can be downloaded below. Please click the ‘Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions’ button.

Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions

Qualifications

Revised qualifications

SFI20419 Certificate II in Fisheries Compliance Support	Download final draft qualification
SFI30419 Certificate III in Fisheries Compliance	Download final draft qualification
SFI40419 Certificate IV in Fisheries Compliance	Download final draft qualification
SFI50419 Diploma of Fisheries Compliance	Download final draft qualification

Units of Competency

New unit

SFICPL310 Conduct fisheries management awareness programs

Download final draft unit

Level II and III Compliance

All units have been reviewed to ensure current practice and terminology, and that skill complexity is appropriately aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

All units have also been transitioned to comply with the Standards for Training Packages 2012:

Simplified to only include what is essential and required
Delivery advice now appears in an Implementation Guide
Description of essential foundation skills
Assessments strengthened to state frequency, volume and type of evidence required
Language reviewed for clarity.

SFICPL201 Undertake a local operation	Download final draft unit
SFICPL202 Conduct field observations	Download final draft unit
SFICPL203 Promote sustainable use of local marine and freshwater environments	Download final draft unit
SFICPL205 Communicate effectively in cross-cultural environments	Download final draft unit
SFICPL302 Exercise compliance powers	Download final draft unit
SFICPL308 Monitor fish catches for legal compliance	Download final draft unit
SFICPL309 Operate off-road vehicles SFICPL309 Operate off-road vehicles was originally proposed for deletion but Subject Matter Expert advice recommended reinstating this unit (previously coded as SFICOM310C Operate off-road vehicles)	Download final draft unit
SFICPL313 Maintain operational safety	Download final draft unit
SFICPL314 Board vessel at sea	Download final draft unit
SFICPL315 Support the judicial process	Download final draft unit
SFICPL316 Gather, collate and record information	Download final draft unit
SFICPL317 Facilitate effective communication in the workplace	Download final draft unit
SFICPL318 Perform administrative duties	Download final draft unit

Level IV and V Compliance

SFICPL401 Administer the district office	Download final draft unit
SFICPL402 Plan the surveillance operation	Download final draft unit
SFICPL403 Operate and maintain surveillance equipment	Download final draft unit
SFICPL404 Operate an observation post	Download final draft unit
SFICPL405 Perform post-surveillance duties	Download final draft unit
SFICPL406 Perform mobile surveillance	Download final draft unit
SFICPL407 Undertake prosecution procedures for magistrate’s court	Download final draft unit
SFICPL409 Plan and undertake patrol operations	Download final draft unit
SFICPL410 Promote fisheries management awareness programs	Download final draft unit
SFICPL411 Implement fisheries compliance	Download final draft unit
SFICPL412 Operate in remote areas	Download final draft unit
SFICPL414 Manage own professional performance	Download final draft unit
SFICPL501 Conduct an investigative audit	Download final draft unit
SFICPL502 Contribute to fisheries management	Download final draft unit
SFICPL503 Undertake the prosecution in a trial	Download final draft unit

Fisheries Observer

SFIOBS301 Monitor and record fishing operations	Download final draft unit
SFIOBS303 Collect routine fishery management data	Download final draft unit
SFIOBS304 Analyse and report onboard observations	Download final draft unit

Units proposed for deletion

Unit code and title	Rationale	Link to view
SFICOM204B Present evidence in a court setting	Feedback from Subject Matter Experts was that this unit does not apply to a Certificate II level learner in fisheries compliance as it is too complex/specific. Certificate II level workers are observers only, they don’t get involved in investigations or prosecutions at this level. They observe and record data.	View unit and provide feedback

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Finalisation

Fisheries Officers play a vital role in protecting the sustainability of fishing in Australia. They ensure fishing activity (both commercial and recreational) adheres to regulatory and environmental guidelines and has limited impact on the environment, for the benefit the industry and everyone who enjoys Australian seafood.

“Fisheries officers have the duty to protect and preserve fish stocks for present and future generations, reserve the rights of all who share the resource and to educate and assist those who share the resource.” Michael, District Fisheries Officer, Monaro District – Snowy Mountains

The skills for this job role are influenced by advancements in technology, which are changing the way Fisheries Officers manage threats such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities; and potential biosecurity breaches. It is important that fishing regulations are responsive to these changes in order to ensure the longevity of the industry. These are multi-jurisdictional issues involving the Commonwealth, state and territory domains, adding a further layer of complication.

To keep up with these shifts in the landscape, there is a need to improve training opportunities for Fisheries Officers and to update skills standards to be in line with current regulations and technology.

“A fisheries officer’s job is a never ending learning curve. There are always changes to legislation, changes in fishing practices and fishing gear. It is important to stay on top of your game. Embrace the changes and keep your knowledge and skills relevant.” Lee, District Fisheries Officer, Port Macquarie – Hastings Fisheries Office

As a result, national qualifications, skill sets and units of competency have been revised to include the skills necessary for various job roles and tasks that exist within the fisheries compliance sector.

Thank you to the more than 25 industry members who provided detailed feedback during the seven month process of the review. The new and revised qualifications and skills standards have been approved by the Seafood Industry Reference Committee (IRC) and endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), at their meeting on 5 June 2019 (see here).

The new materials are published on the training.gov.au website, within the SFI Seafood Industry Training Package. They are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs). RTOs can find information to help them adopt to the new changes in the Companion Volume, which provides additional information about the impacts of regulation and licensing implications and workplace health and safety on their training.

Download the Case for Endorsement, for further information.

Note that this Case for Endorsement also includes units, skill sets and qualifications that have been developed as part of the Aquaculture, Fishing Operations & Biosecurity Project and Seafood Post Harvest Operations Project.

Key changes

New skill sets were developed to create opportunities for staff to develop skills in surveillance operations and resource management observation.
New unit developed for SFICPL309 Conduct fisheries management awareness programs, to provide skills and knowledge that link to the unit for SFICPL410 Promote fisheries management awareness programs.
The unit for SFICOMP310C Operate off-road vehicles has been replaced by TLIC2025 Operate four wheel drive vehicle, because it was deemed inadequate to meet the needs of Fisheries Compliance Officers in their work role, especially for officers working in remote regions.

Summary of consultation

The qualifications, skill sets and units were drafted in consultation with 21 Subject Matter Experts. The broader industry was consulted on the draft documents at two different stages – the ‘Drafts Available’ and ‘Validation’ stages. The ‘Finalisation’ stage includes the development and publishing of a validation summary for each project. A description of how feedback was considered can be downloaded below.

Round 1 (Drafts Available) Summary

Round 2 (Validation) Summary

Please find below links to the final materials are published on the training.gov.au website.