Certificate IV in Government (Investigation)
 
National Code
:
PSP41504
VTAC Code:
 
Location:
Elgar Campus
Study Area:
Compliance;
Career Card:
 
Duration:
PT: 6 months
Intake Dates:
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What does this course involve?

The Australian Government Investigation Standards August 2011 state that the minimum level of training or qualification recommended for investigations staff is Certificate IV in Government (Investigation), or its equivalent, as set out in the Public Services Training Package (PSP04/12). This qualification should be obtained before an officer is primarily engaged as an investigator; otherwise the officer should be under the supervision of a qualified investigator.

At Box Hill Institute the aim of the Certificate IV in Government (Investigation) is to develop competent investigators capable of individually completing investigations on behalf of a government agency or department.

A career in government is exciting, important, varied and rewarding. The Certificate IV in Government (Investigation) offered by Box Hill Institute will provide you with the knowledge and skills required for investigative roles with government agencies. This course covers a range of key areas including gathering and managing evidence, interviewing and reporting on investigations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this course will result in the following learning outcomes;

  • An accredited & Nationally recognised investigation qualification
  • Investigation skills and knowledge based on current best practices as used by law enforcement bodies
  • Ability to develop & manage an effective investigation plan within statutory, regulatory or organisational guidelines
  • Understanding the ethical, procedural and statutory basis for investigations
  • The ability to develop and implement advanced communication strategies including behavioural interviewing techniques
  • The skills and knowledge to report on and finalise investigations

What employment opportunities will I have?

Job roles and titles vary across different industry sectors. Possible job titles relevant to this qualification include:

  • Federal, State and Local Government investigation and compliance positions
  • Supervisors
  • Managers
  • Government Investigator
  • Local Government - Council Investigator
  • Australian Defence Force Investigation Service Investigator
  • Prosecution Investigator
  • Intelligence Officer
  • Insurance Fraud Investigator
  • Investigative Reporting Advisor
  • Ethical Standards Advisor
  • Human Resources Consultant
  • Evidence Collection Officer

Accreditation

This course is government accredited and has national recognition

What further study options will I have?

A broad range of options are available to assist your career development. You may progress into a diploma qualification in an area such as investigation, management, project management or marketing.

Can I apply?

You must:

  • have successfully completed Year 12, or qualify as a mature age applicant.
  • have a general command of written and spoken English (the capacity to: read and comprehend written instructions, produce written responses and reports, contribute to class discussion, deliver brief oral presentations, communicate with learners and develop assessment tools)
  • have computer skills to assist the management of information and the planning process by using such tools as internet, intranet & email.

How do I apply?

Direct entry - rolling enrolments
Beginning and mid-year intake. Mid-year intake commences in July.

If you have any queries, please contact the Institute on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).

How will I be selected for this course?

No selection process required

Length of course

This program is delivered over six months:

One evening per week 6-9pm
One full day each month

Where will I study?

Elgar Campus

What costs and other fees should I expect?

Take a Short Survey

This course is subject to Government subsidy for eligible students. Complete the eligibility survey now to see if you will receive government assistance for this course. If you are not eligible for government subsidy, the full fee will apply.

Government Subsidised Fees

  1. Tuition Fee - $4.50 per hour. This course will typically cost $3,150.00 (full time).
  2. Concession Tuition Fee - 20% of the tuition fee. This course will typically cost $630.00 (full time).
  3. Service and Amenities Fee - $70.00 or $100.00
  4. Material Fees - contact the Institute
Full Fee

$12.43 per hour. This course will typically cost $8,701.00 (full time).

If you are an employer seeking training for groups of employees, contact the Institute for a customised package.

How will I be assessed?

  • Oral presentation
  • Written assessment
  • Project work

Will my previous experience or study count?

Advanced Standing is approved recognition of prior learning that is displayed as an Exemption (EX) on the student’s academic record. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) takes into account the knowledge and skills you’ve already gained through your previous education and work. This may be through formal or informal training, paid or unpaid work experience, and can earn you credit if relevant to your chosen course.

 
Units of Competency

Core Units
PSPETHC401A
Uphold And Support Values And Principles Of Public Service
40.00 hr

This unit covers the ethical conduct required of those in public service and the responsibility to encourage ethical conduct in others – colleagues or supervised staff. It includes contributing to an ethical public sector workplace and participating in ethical decision making. In practice, ethical conduct is demonstrated in the context of other generalist or specialist work activities such as applying government processes, delivering and monitoring services to clients, using resources, conducting interviews, giving evidence, awarding contracts etc.

PSPGOV412A
Use Advanced Workplace Communication Strategies
50.00 hr

This unit covers the use of communication techniques for interacting with internal and external clients and following instructions. It includes handling routine enquiries, following and relaying routine instructions and engaging in workplace discussions. Though the prime focus of the unit is on speaking, listening and reading non-verbal cues, if reading, writing and visual literacy are intrinsic to the workplace communication these are included. Where reading and writing are the prime focus of the workplace function these are addressed in PSPGOV208A Write routine workplace materials.

PSPLEGN401A
Encourage Compliance With Legislation In The Public Sector
30.00 hr

This unit covers the competency to encourage others (colleagues or those supervised) in the workplace to comply with legislation. It includes assisting others to comply with legislative requirements, and taking action on non-compliance. In practice, encouraging compliance with legislation is demonstrated in the context of other generalist or specialist work activities such as using government processes, delivering and monitoring client services, using resources, preparing quotations, conducting interviews, awarding contracts etc.

PSPREG401C
Exercise Regulatory Powers
60.00 hr

This unit covers the exercise of powers under the organisation’s enabling legislation, and other relevant legislation for regulation, monitoring, inspection and investigation. It includes establishing regulatory powers, applying enabling legislation, utilising other legislation and standards, and working with other organisations. In practice, exercising regulatory powers occurs in the context of other specialist and generalist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, promoting client compliance, assessing compliance, conducting investigations, making arrests, conducting search and seizure, interviewing, gathering evidence, etc.

PSPREG404C
Investigate Non-Compliance
50.00 hr

This unit covers identification of possible non-compliance and recommendations for ensuing action. It includes initiating a preliminary investigation to confirm non-compliance, and planning, conducting and finalising the investigation. In practice, investigating non-compliance may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, exercising regulatory powers, acting on non-compliance, conducting formal records of interview, gathering and managing evidence, etc.

PSPREG407B
Produce Formal Record Of Interview
60.00 hr

This unit covers the competency to conduct and produce formal records of interview with suspects. It includes preparing for the interview, conducting the interview, and completing the record of interview. In practice, producing formal records of interview may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as, exercising regulatory powers, acting ethically, complying with public sector legislation, applying government processes, gathering and analysing information, etc.

PSPREG411A
Gather Information Through Interviews
50.00 hr

This unit covers gathering information through interviews that do not result in a formal record of interview in the legal sense. Interviews may be conducted in a range of locations for a range of reasons. They may be overt or covert. The unit includes preparing for the interview, conducting the interview, and reviewing and correlating interview information. Verbal questioning and other interactions undertaken outside a formal interview structure are not addressed in this unit as these are covered in other communication units in the Training Package, such as PSPGOV412A Use advanced workplace communication strategies. In practice, gathering information through interviews may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, exercising regulatory powers, applying government processes, gathering and analysing information, assessing compliance, receiving and validating information, etc.

PSPREG412A
Gather And Manage Evidence
40.00 hr

This unit covers all activities involved in gathering and managing evidence. It includes planning and activating evidence collection, identifying persons of interest, collecting and storing evidence, and summarising and reporting on evidence. In practice, gathering and managing evidence may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as exercising regulatory powers, acting ethically, complying with public sector legislation, applying government processes, gathering and analysing information, etc.

PSPREG418A
Advise On Progress Of Investigations
30.00 hr

This unit covers ongoing review of activities throughout an investigation to ensure the effective outcome of the investigation. It includes summarising and reporting on the progress of an investigation, identifying and analysing problems and recommending further action. In practice, advising on the progress of investigations may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, complying with legislation, applying government processes, etc.

PSPREG419A
Finalise And Report On Investigations
30.00 hr

This unit covers the requirements for completing investigations, reviewing the process and reporting results. It includes finalising the investigation, handling complaints and appeals, preparing an investigation report and using investigation outcomes. In practice, finalising and reporting on investigations may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, complying with public sector legislation, applying government processes, etc.

Electives
PSPFRAU502B
Anticipate And Detect Possible Fraud Activity
100.00 hr

This unit covers the activities required to undertake strategic analysis and detection of corruption or fraudulent activities. It includes hypothesising fraud and corruption situations, initiating projects to test newly identified risk areas, analysing trends in fraud and corruption activities and investigations, recommending courses of action and providing information on recommended actions.

'Fraud' in the unit title incorporates both fraud and corruption.

In practice, anticipating and detecting possible fraud and corruption activity may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector workplace activities such as acting ethically, promoting compliance with legislation, delivering client services, conducting fraud and corruption risk assessment, etc.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PSPFRAU502A Anticipate and detect possible fraud activity.

PSPGOV406B
Gather And Analyse Information
30.00 hr

This unit covers collection and analysis of information to achieve work unit objectives and meet client needs. It includes identifying and collecting information, analysing and interpreting information, developing and applying workable solutions, presenting information and maintaining information.

In practice, gathering and analysing information may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, complying with legislation, applying government processes, using resources, gathering evidence, carrying out projects, using financial processes, identifying and treating risks, monitoring for fraud, undertaking, court listings, conducting claim assessments, etc.

This is one of 5 units of competency in the Working in Government and Management Competency Fields that deal with information/knowledge management.

Related units are:

- PSPGOV206B Handle workplace information
- PSPGOV307B Organise workplace information
- PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis
- PSPMNGT614A Facilitate knowledge management

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PSPGOV406A Gather and analyse information.

PSPGOV417A
Identify And Treat Risks
60.00 hr

This unit covers the identification and treatment of risk using the organisation's risk management procedures and treatments. It applies to the risks inherent in all aspects of everyday work in the public sector as well as to specific functional activities and projects related to the particular mandate of the organisation. The unit covers establishment of the risk context, identification, analysis and evaluation of risks, risks treatment, and monitoring and review of risk treatment plan.

In practice, identifying and treating risk occurs in the context of other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, complying with legislation, applying government processes, handling classified information, using resources, administering projects, providing parliamentary support, making arrests, using financial processes, undertaking scientific research, awarding contracts, undertaking native title assessments, assessing compensation claims, road transport compliance, etc.

This is one of 4 units of competency in the Working in Government and Management Competency Fields that deal with risk. Related units are:

- PSPGOV517A Coordinate risk management
- PSPMNGT608B Manage risk
- PSPMNGT704A Undertake enterprise risk management

PSPOHS301A
Contribute To Workplace Safety
30.00 hr

This unit covers the competency to contribute to a safe workplace for self and others. It includes contributing to workplace safety arrangements, identifying hazards and controlling risks.

The unit is based on Generic Competency A in the National Guidelines for Integrating OHS Competencies into National Industry Competency Standards (NOHSC:7025, 1998 2nd Edition).

In practice, workplace safety may be demonstrated in the context of other work activities such as contributing to workplace activities, organising workplace information, implementing change, giving and receiving feedback etc.

PSPREG415A
Receive And Validate Data
40.00 hr

This unit covers activities related to handling data received from a variety of sources which may then be acted upon or referred for further action. It includes receiving and recording data, verifying its authenticity and recommending/taking action as a result. In practice, receiving and validating data may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, exercising regulatory powers, applying government processes, acting on non-compliance, etc.

The student tuition fee is indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as student services and amenities fees. Tuition fees are charged at an hourly rate based on a unit’s total hours (degree courses excepted). All course level fees quoted are indicative annual fees only, based on the most common annual full time load for the course, or for part time and correspondence courses, an average annual student load. However annual fees may vary depending on the number and mix of units chosen at enrolment for study in the calendar year, including the number and mix of elective units chosen. In subsequent calendar years, fees may be subject to an increase in line with annual Institute fee pricing reviews. Fee rates are correct at the time of publishing. This qualification may have prerequisites, co-requisite or bridging units from lower or higher level qualifications. An offer of a place is always subject to places being available. The Institute reserves the right to close applications when the course is full. Where minimum course numbers are not met, the course may be cancelled at short notice. In such instances and only when possible, an alternative option may be suggested for accredited courses. For further clarification please seek advice from the Institute.