This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work effectively as a guide. It covers key legal, ethical, safety, environmental and professional development issues that guides must consider in their day-to-day work.

This unit applies to guides who may work across multiple industry sectors as employees, volunteers, or independent contractors. They may operate within a single site, or in a particular city, region or tourist precinct, but often move across sites, cities and regions.

Guides apply discretion and judgement within established organisational procedures, and take a lead role without supervision when guiding a tour or activity. Sometimes guides are the owner-operators of small tour operations.

Tour guides, residing anywhere in Australia, are required to undertake training and assessment prescribed by Parks Australia to guide within Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks in the Northern Territory.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

When working in Queensland, all guides, regardless of their place of residence, are subject to the Queensland Tourism Services Act 2003.

No other occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.