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MEM24022 Current

Application

This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to undertake portable penetrant tests and/or processing on a dedicated penetrant line using visible dye and fluorescent techniques. Personnel are required to select the most appropriate penetrant test techniques and test equipment for a specific material or application; interpret the test data; detect and classify defects using relevant standards; and report the results.

Penetrant tests are performed on critical components or structural zones. Personnel are required to consider actual and potential defects as well as ongoing abnormalities in fabrications, components, and structures and/or aircraft components.

This unit of competency applies to engineering technicians and non-destructive testing (NDT) technicians who are performing penetrant tests as defined in Australian and international codes and standards working in manufacturing, engineering, aerospace and associated industry sectors. These employees work under the general supervision of personnel such as engineering associates, NDT technicians aligned to level 3 in technical standards; professional engineers and scientists; engineering technologists; and production, operations and maintenance managers

Where reading and interpretation of technical drawings is required unit MEM09229 Read and interpret technical drawings should also be selected.

Where the selection and use of engineering measurement is required unit MEM12023 Perform engineering measurements should also be selected.

Where the selection and use of hand tools are required unit MEM18001 Use hand tools should also be selected.

Where the selection and use of power tools are required unit MEM18002 Use power tools/hand held operations should also be selected.

Where the application of materials technology principles is required unit MEM24039 Apply materials technology principles to non-destructive tests should also be selected.

Band: B

Unit Weight: 4

What You'll Learn

1. Establish job requirements

  • 1.1 Comply with relevant WHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for penetrant testing
  • 1.2 Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions

2. Prepare for testing

  • 2.1 Liaise with client to explain testing requirements and schedule tests
  • 2.2 Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others
  • 2.3 Assemble all specified testing equipment, materials and containers and safety equipment
  • 2.4 Identify inspection areas and determine if special access requirements appropriate for the NDT test need to be communicated to the client
  • 2.5 Clean and prepare inspection areas for testing using appropriate test procedures and materials
  • 2.6 Assess inspection areas visually and identify obvious discontinuities.

3. Conduct penetrant tests

  • 3.1 Select the most appropriate penetrant test technique for the material or application
  • 3.2 Select test equipment and conduct pre-use checks in accordance with relevant standards and/or procedures
  • 3.3 Select and apply appropriate test media in accordance with workplace/industry practices
  • 3.4 Conduct penetrant tests in accordance with relevant standards and work instructions
  • 3.5 Minimise environmental impacts of testing and generation of waste

4. Interpret and report the results of penetrant tests

  • 4.1 Review conduct of the test and confirm test procedures were applied correctly
  • 4.2 Monitor and assess indications and determine the type of discontinuity for each relevant indication
  • 4.3 Apply acceptance criteria to discontinuities to detect defects
  • 4.4 Classify defects in accordance with relevant national and international codes and standards
  • 4.5 Confirm defects in accordance with workplace procedures and industry practices
  • 4.6 Seek advice for problems outside technical competence or knowledge
  • 4.7 Record any site observations that may affect results
  • 4.8 Report test results and complete all job records in accordance with relevant standards and SOPs

5. Maintain a safe work environment

  • 5.1 Restore test site, clean inspection area and equipment and dispose of all waste in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • 5.2 Store and maintain penetrant testing equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures and WHS requirements.

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. Different specimens means different in character, i.e. in product form, material specification, shape, size, or discontinuity type and be representative of products typically tested in the industrial sector

Evidence required includes:

preparing the inspection area on at least two specimens for testing and identifying discontinuities including observed changes in material homogeneity in accordance with procedures

complying with workplace procedures and WHS requirements at all times during penetrant testing

identifying and interpreting specifications, standards, drawings, charts, lists and other reference material for performing penetrant testing on at least two specimens

selecting the most appropriate penetrant test technique for the material or application

undertaking penetrant testing using three or more of the following techniques on at least two specimens:

colour contrast water wash

colour contrast solvent remover

fluorescent water wash

fluorescent solvent remover

fluorescent post emulsified

process penetrant line methods using automated/mechanised timed systems

applying test media and undertaking penetrant testing using appropriate techniques for the materials in at least two specimens

checking/confirming indicators and identifying all defects including accurate identification of location and size of discontinuities and defects for at least two specimens

classifying all defects for at least two specimens in accordance with national and international codes and standards

performing measurements associated with penetrant testing on at least two specimens

reporting test results for at least two specimens in accordance with workplace procedures and customer service requirements

conducting all required testing with minimal environmental impact.

Note: Where a volume and/or frequency is not specified, demonstration must be provided at least once.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

principles, applications and limitations of penetrant testing techniques

requirements of any applicable standards, Safe Work Australia guidelines, State/Territory regulatory codes of practice/standards to penetrant testing

penetrant testing techniques, methods and procedures for the range of situations used in job role

tools, equipment, instruments

cleaning and preparation processes and procedures, statutory and WHS requirements relevant to the preparation process

established procedures and techniques for assessment of test results

types of discontinuities and their consequences/effect on the material

range of defects, common faults and damage to test equipment and materials

implications of test results for the particular material/application

methods and procedures for recording and reporting test results

maintenance and storage procedures for test equipment.

Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in undertaking penetrant tests at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience

satisfy the assessor requirements in the current vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Where possible, assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications.

Foundation Skills

  • text: This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance. Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Prerequisite Units

Parent Qualifications

Related Units

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Last updated from training.gov.au: 25 February 2026