Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
24/07/2026 1:25 AM AWST
24/07/2026 1:25 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Provide high-level support on legal assistance matters
Provide high-level support on legal assistance matters
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFPL020
DEFPL020
State Code
AVV83
AVV83
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
091103 - Legal Studies
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to provide highlevel support on legal assistance matters.This unit includes analysing the circumstance surrounding the issue, conducting research, consulting legal officers and providing information.The high-level support provided in this unit must be within the legal limit of the individual’s responsibility. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for the provision of highlevel support on legal assistance
- 1.1 Circumstances that require the provision of high-level support on legal assistance are identified.
- 1.2 Circumstances are analysed and issues are interpreted and clearly defined.
2. Receive enquiry
- 2.1 Enquirer’s needs are identified, analysed and clarified.
- 2.2 Legal limits of own responsibility are clearly outlined to enquirer before any information is imparted.
- 2.3 Enquiries outside one’s area of responsibility are identified and assistance is sought or enquiry is referred on to a legal officer where appropriate.
3. Provide information on legal assistance matters
- 3.1 Enquirer’s or event details and problem/s are recorded.
- 3.2 Information is relayed where available and appropriate.
- 3.3 Research is conducted within the scope of own responsibility.
4. Consult legal officer to resolve issues
- 4.1 Issues are communicated to legal officer and resolution/action is discussed.
- 4.2 Suggested action/resolution is carried out.
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Circumstances that require the provision of high-level support on legal assistance may include:
complaint
events arising that may disclose a service activity
legal inquiry
non-legal inquiry
seeking information
seeking referral
Legal assistance may include:
administration matters
civil debt
civil police charges
conveyancing
discipline matters
insurance
international law matters
family law
landlord and tenancy matters
minor commercial matters
power of attorney
probate
vehicle accidents
wills
Enquirer may include:
commanders
civilian employees of the Defence organisation
Defence civilians
disciplinary appointees, including officers, warrant officers, non commissioned officers
other members of the Australian Defence Force
outside agencies
Identification, analysis and clarification of enquirer’s needs may include:
accommodating any communication difficulties
clarification of request or problem by summarising and repeating summaries to ensure that information gathered is reflective of the information that the enquirer wishes to communicate
sensitivity to enquirer’s emotional/physical state, cultural and service background
and may include the requirement to communicate:
in writing
in person
verbally
via third party
electronically
Legal limits of own responsibility may include:
provision of legal advice by a person who is not a qualified legal officer as defined by the Legal Practice Act
relationship between the client and the Defence legal service (such as Privacy Act, secrecy laws, codes of practice, service requirements)
relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
Information may include:
areas of the Defence legal service law/practice
charges and review process
correct contact in the Defence legal service
disciplinary process
jurisdiction
non-disciplinary process
punishments and orders
Resolution/action may include:
advising the enquirer after researching the appropriate information
not pursuing the matter
referring enquirer to another legal officer or practitioner
referring enquirer to supervisor or appropriate authority
referring enquirer to the appropriate government department
Carrying out resolution/action may include:
alternative dispute resolution processes
documenting and filing communication
informing caller of resolution
notifying relevant department of enquiry
promptly contacting enquirer where appropriate
providing written or oral advice
recording contact on database
Circumstances that require the provision of high-level support on legal assistance may include:
complaint
events arising that may disclose a service activity
legal inquiry
non-legal inquiry
seeking information
seeking referral
Legal assistance may include:
administration matters
civil debt
civil police charges
conveyancing
discipline matters
insurance
international law matters
family law
landlord and tenancy matters
minor commercial matters
power of attorney
probate
vehicle accidents
wills
Enquirer may include:
commanders
civilian employees of the Defence organisation
Defence civilians
disciplinary appointees, including officers, warrant officers, non commissioned officers
other members of the Australian Defence Force
outside agencies
Identification, analysis and clarification of enquirer’s needs may include:
accommodating any communication difficulties
clarification of request or problem by summarising and repeating summaries to ensure that information gathered is reflective of the information that the enquirer wishes to communicate
sensitivity to enquirer’s emotional/physical state, cultural and service background
and may include the requirement to communicate:
in writing
in person
verbally
via third party
electronically
Legal limits of own responsibility may include:
provision of legal advice by a person who is not a qualified legal officer as defined by the Legal Practice Act
relationship between the client and the Defence legal service (such as Privacy Act, secrecy laws, codes of practice, service requirements)
relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
Information may include:
areas of the Defence legal service law/practice
charges and review process
correct contact in the Defence legal service
disciplinary process
jurisdiction
non-disciplinary process
punishments and orders
Resolution/action may include:
advising the enquirer after researching the appropriate information
not pursuing the matter
referring enquirer to another legal officer or practitioner
referring enquirer to supervisor or appropriate authority
referring enquirer to the appropriate government department
Carrying out resolution/action may include:
alternative dispute resolution processes
documenting and filing communication
informing caller of resolution
notifying relevant department of enquiry
promptly contacting enquirer where appropriate
providing written or oral advice
recording contact on database
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
provide high level support on legal assistance matters
analyse the circumstance surrounding the issue
conduct research
consult legal officers
provide information
The candidate must at all times comply with legislative requirements, policy and standards, and demonstrate an awareness of access, equity and diversity principles and practices.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated workplace contexts.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment.
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
provide high level support on legal assistance matters
analyse the circumstance surrounding the issue
conduct research
consult legal officers
provide information
The candidate must at all times comply with legislative requirements, policy and standards, and demonstrate an awareness of access, equity and diversity principles and practices.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated workplace contexts.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC78 | DEFDPL007 | Provide high-level support on legal assistance matters | Unit of competency |
