PSP40416 Cert IV of GI

This qualification is a requirement for most public sector investigations, and will also allow you to independently conduct investigations on behalf of agencies such as Centrelink, Customs, Australia Post, Department of Veterans Affairs, the ATO, and many more.

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Participants will gain practical skills and strategies to effectively conduct investigations in the Australian government environment at the local, state, or federal level.

The aim of this course is to develop competent investigators who are capable of individually completing investigations within an Australian government environment consistent with the provisions of the Australian Government Investigations Standards.

About the course

This course is suitable for:

  • Investigators in local, state, or federal government.
  • Those wishing to enter government and take up an investigation position.
  • Investigators already in government seeking to comply with the Attorney General’s Guidelines.
  • Those seeking a pay rise or promotion.

The course should be considered by anyone who undertakes or is charged with the responsibility for:

  • Internal bullying, harassment or other disciplinary investigations
  • Investigation of public interest disclosures or whistleblower legislation
  • Due diligence investigations
  • Discrimination, victimisation investigations
  • Inappropriate conduct or use of power investigations
  • Grievance and complaint investigations
  • Non-compliance investigations
  • Health and safety investigations

Learning modes

We offer two modes to complete the course:

  • Self-paced online: enrol anytime and study at your own pace using our online resources and assessments. This works best for learners who have a workplace where they can carry out investigations to support their study.
  • Facilitator-led online classes: enrol anytime to attend up to 8 online classes covering the entire course. Online classes are delivered twice a month between July-October and February-May, and you can complete the modules in any order. Please find our live session schedule here.

Each program is the same price, and learners can move between the options to suit their needs during the study period. Contact us to view the upcoming schedule of classes.

Units of Competency

To attain a Certificate IV in Government Investigations, you will need to complete 6 Core Units & 9 Elective Units. The below units meet the requirements for the Regulatory Compliance stream, but talk to us to find out about other units which can be included in the course.

Core Units

PSPETH002 Uphold and support the values and principles of public service

This unit describes the skills required to contribute to an ethical workplace and participate in
ethical decision making.
This unit applies to those working in public sector roles but may be applied to anyone
working in a similar organisational context.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would generally work independently and as part of a team, where
they may have some supervisory responsibilities. They would perform complex tasks in a
range of familiar contexts.

PSPINV001 Plan and initiate an investigation

This unit describes the skills required to identify and confirm possible non-compliance, and
plan and initiate a subsequent investigation. It includes planning and activating evidence
collection, identifying witnesses and persons of interest.
This unit applies to those working in a range of regulatory work environments involving
gathering and managing physical or documentary evidence from a range of sources.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to WHS in the context
of investigations.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently using support from a range of
established resources to perform complex tasks in a range of contexts, including some that are
unfamiliar and/or unpredictable.

PSPINV002 Conduct an investigation

This unit describes the skills required to conduct an investigation under commonwealth and/or
jurisdictional law, in accordance with an established investigation plan. It includes gathering
and managing evidence, identifying persons of interest, reviewing and reporting on progress
and briefing/debriefing relevant personnel.
This unit applies to those working in a range of regulatory work environments.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to WHS and
environment in the context of investigations.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently using support from a range of
established resources to perform complex tasks in a range of contexts, including some that are
unfamiliar and/or unpredictable.

PSPINV003 Finalise an investigation

This unit describes the skills required to complete, review and report on the results of an
investigation. It includes finalising the investigation, handling complaints and appeals,
preparing an investigation report and using investigation outcomes.
This unit applies to those working in a range of regulatory work environments comprising
gathering, managing and interpreting documentary evidence to determine appropriate
responses including reporting and acting on investigation outcomes.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to WHS and
environment in the context of investigations.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently using support from a range of
established resources to perform complex tasks in a range of contexts, including some that are
unfamiliar and/or unpredictable.

PSPREG003 Apply regulatory powers

This unit describes the skills required to cover the exercise of powers under the organisation’s
enabling legislation and other relevant legislation for regulation, monitoring, inspection and
investigation.
This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently as part of a team, performing routine
tasks involving a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

PSPREG012 Gather information through interviews

This unit describes the skills required to gather information through interviews. It includes
preparing for and conducting interviews and reviewing and correlating information.
This unit applies to those working in regulatory roles within the public sector involved in
information gathering through interviews.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently as part of a team, performing complex
tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

Elective Units

BSBWHS301 Maintain workplace safety

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor the
organisation’s work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and programs as part of a
small work team.
The unit applies to individuals who have a key role in maintaining workplace safety in an
organisation. In their role they closely monitor aspects of work associated with the safe
delivery of products and services, and they have a responsibility for influencing safety in the
workplace.
NOTE: The terms ‘occupational health and safety’ (OHS) and ‘work health and safety’
(WHS) are equivalent and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions
where the Model WHS Legislation has not been implemented RTOs are advised to
contextualise the unit of competency by referring to the existing State/Territory OHS
legislative requirements.

PSPREG005 Assess compliance

This unit describes the skills required to assess risk, monitor situations, environments and
behaviours, and analyse information to assess compliance with legislation and/or standards. It
includes monitoring areas under own jurisdiction, receiving or identifying allegations of
non-compliance, and conducting research to determine levels of compliance.
This unit applies to those working in regulatory roles involving compliance assessment.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently, performing routine tasks in a range of
familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

PSPREG008 Act on non-compliance

This unit describes the skills required to issue advice, instructions, warnings, notices, fines
and other actions in response to non-compliance situations. It includes attending situations
where non-compliance is suspected or alleged, and taking action on non-compliance.
This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work in as part of a team under routine guidance,
performing routine tasks in a range of mostly familiar contexts.

PSPREG006 Produce formal record of interview

This unit describes the skills required to produce formal records of interview. It includes
preparing for, conducting and record interviews.
This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative,
regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and
procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to WHS and
environment in the context of conducting interviews.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently, performing routine tasks, in a range of
contexts including some that are unfamiliar or unpredictable.

PSPREG010 Prepare a brief of evidence

This unit describes the skills required to prepare a brief of evidence. It includes analysing evidence, preparing and reviewing admissible evidence, developing a brief of evidence and coordinating witnesses.

This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently as part of a team, performing complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

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

PSPREG011 Give Evidence

This unit describes the skills required to give evidence in a range of legal proceedings. It includes preparing for proceedings, presenting evidence, and following up outcomes of proceedings.

This unit applies to those working in regulatory roles within the public sector involved in giving evidence in legal proceedings.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently in a range of familiar contexts.

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

PSPREG017 Undertake compliance audits

This unit describes the skills required to perform comprehensive compliance audits. It includes assisting in and undertaking preliminary audit planning, undertaking compliance audits as a member of a team, dealing with audit issues, and contributing to the reporting and presentation of audit findings.

This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently as part of a team, performing complex tasks in a range of familiar contexts.

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

PSPREG013 Undertake inspections and monitoring

This unit describes the skills required to undertake both routine and non-routine inspections and monitoring of a more complex or detailed nature, with discretion to determine appropriate action in accordance with relevant Acts and regulations. It includes planning and organising inspection and monitoring activities, undertaking inspections, acting on non-compliance and providing reports, information and training.

This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently as part of a team, performing complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

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

PSPREG009 Conduct search and seizure

This unit describes the skills required to conduct search and seizure activities. It includes preparing for search and seizure, implementing the search, conducting the seizure, completing post search activities and debriefing.

This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently as part of a team, performing routine tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

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

Course details

Duration: 6 – 12 Months 

It is expected that candidates will complete this course with all the required learning and assessment within six (6) months, however every enrolment is for a 12 month (1 year) period.

Extensions can be granted for exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of two (2) years.

This course can be completed entirely online at your own pace, supported by virtual workshops and interactions. All learners can access our live sessions for assessment support in regards to conducting interviews and compliance audits. Wise Workplace Training can provide this support via our partner organisations, along with employment pathways, where required. These assessments can also be taken place under the supervision of a workplace supervisor.

Learners are also invited to enrol in one of our linked short courses for practical skills-based training. These short courses cover practical learning material in this Certificate and offers an industry-based, real-world capstone to the Certificate IV or Diploma.

Check out Conducting Workplace Investigations (Advanced) or Investigating Abuse in Care for more information.

A range of assessment methods including (but not limited to) written tasks, case studies, roleplays and simulations, research, presentation/observation, projects and practical tasks.

If you choose to study online, presentation / observation and practical assessments can be completed using a range of methods:

  • report and sign off from a suitably supervisor at your workplace
  • scheduled appointments with our assessors
  • upload of video or audio recording of your activities

The specific practical tasks you will undertake include:

  • providing advice, coaching and induction on workplace health and safety
  • conducting a risk assessment from notification to monitoring the final strategy
  • attending to a non-compliance notification
  • presenting and reporting on evidence
  • completing a compliance audit
  • conduct inspection, response and monitoring activities
  • conduct search and seizure

Contact us to find out more.

Full fee: $2,950 

Deposit: $900

All enrolments start with a deposit of $900, with the remaining fees to be charged in a second instalment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) & Credit Transfer (CT): are available, starting at $900. Fees vary depending on the number of units you can achieve.

A 25% discount applies for students who have enrolled in our short courses Conducting Workplace Investigations (Advanced) within the preceding six months.

Extension beyond the maximum period will accrue additional charges per unit.

On successful completion of this course, students may choose to undertake Diploma of Government Investigations or any other relevant diploma level qualification that supports their career pathways.

Course Entry Requirements

  • Must be 18 or more years old
  • Must have attained year 12/equivalent schooling or be able to demonstrate relevant professional experience
  • Must meet the prerequisites and any other requirements for the specific course.

Learners are also required to review and sign off on all information on our Resources, Policies and Procedures page. If your employer is paying for your study, they will need to sign off.

Learners who have not previously completed tertiary studies may be asked to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Skills assessment to make sure we provide you with the right supports to complete the course.