Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:46 AM AWST
23/07/2026 6:46 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 criminal law matters
Provide high-level support on criminal law matters
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFPL015
DEFPL015
State Code
AVV78
AVV78
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
090905 - Criminal Law
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to provide high level support on criminal law matters.This unit includes analysing the circumstances surrounding the matter, 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 high-level support on criminal law matters
- 1.1 Circumstances that require the provision of high level support on criminal law are identified.
- 1.2 Circumstances are analysed and the discipline issues are interpreted and clearly defined.
2. Receive enquiry
- 2.1 Enquirer’s needs are identified, analysed and clarified in accordance with legal practices and procedures.
- 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 in criminal law
- 3.1 Enquirer’s or event details and problem/s are recorded in accordance with legal practices and procedures.
- 3.2 Information is relayed where available and appropriate..
- 3.3 Research is conducted within the scope of own responsibility.
- 3.4 Nondisclosable information is not communicated.
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 advice on service discipline and criminal law may include:
Complaint
Events arising that may disclose a service offence
Legal inquiry
Nonlegal inquiry
Seeking information
Seeking referral
Someone seeking disclosable information
Criminal law may include:
DFDA which has jurisdiction over service personnel and incorporates the Commonwealth Crimes Act and Commonwealth Evidence Act
state criminal law including the following:
Criminal Codes (Queensland, WA)
Criminal Code (Tasmania)
Crimes Act 1900 (ACT, NSW)
Crimes Act 1958 (Victoria)
Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA)
Common Law for NSW, Victoria and SA
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 (ADF)
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
And may include the requirement to communicate:
in writing
in person
verbally
via third party
electronically
Sensitivity to enquirer’s emotional/physical state, cultural and service background
Legal limits of own responsibility may include:
Client and the Defence legal service (e.g. Privacy Act, secrecy laws, ethical practices, codes of practice)
Provision of legal advice by a person who is not a qualified legal officer as defined by the Legal Practice Act
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
Nondisciplinary process
Punishments and orders
Legal practices and procedures may include::
emergency procedures
handling contingencies
information sources
information specific to the Defence legal service
interviewing process
protocol for accommodating specific client needs such as case manager, social worker, parole officer, translator, interpreter, service requirement
protocol for handling enquiries
providing disclaimers
recording information
security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
telephone protocol
verifying and authorising information
Nondisclosable information may include:
Legally privileged information
Organisationally classified or caveated information
Relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
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:
Alternate 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 advice on service discipline and criminal law may include:
Complaint
Events arising that may disclose a service offence
Legal inquiry
Nonlegal inquiry
Seeking information
Seeking referral
Someone seeking disclosable information
Criminal law may include:
DFDA which has jurisdiction over service personnel and incorporates the Commonwealth Crimes Act and Commonwealth Evidence Act
state criminal law including the following:
Criminal Codes (Queensland, WA)
Criminal Code (Tasmania)
Crimes Act 1900 (ACT, NSW)
Crimes Act 1958 (Victoria)
Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA)
Common Law for NSW, Victoria and SA
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 (ADF)
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
And may include the requirement to communicate:
in writing
in person
verbally
via third party
electronically
Sensitivity to enquirer’s emotional/physical state, cultural and service background
Legal limits of own responsibility may include:
Client and the Defence legal service (e.g. Privacy Act, secrecy laws, ethical practices, codes of practice)
Provision of legal advice by a person who is not a qualified legal officer as defined by the Legal Practice Act
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
Nondisciplinary process
Punishments and orders
Legal practices and procedures may include::
emergency procedures
handling contingencies
information sources
information specific to the Defence legal service
interviewing process
protocol for accommodating specific client needs such as case manager, social worker, parole officer, translator, interpreter, service requirement
protocol for handling enquiries
providing disclaimers
recording information
security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
telephone protocol
verifying and authorising information
Nondisclosable information may include:
Legally privileged information
Organisationally classified or caveated information
Relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
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:
Alternate 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 criminal law matters
analyse the circumstances surrounding the matter
conduct research
consult legal officers
provide information
while at all times complying 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 to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment.
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
provide high level support on criminal law matters
analyse the circumstances surrounding the matter
conduct research
consult legal officers
provide information
while at all times complying 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 to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC50 | DEFDPL002 | Provide high-level support on criminal law matters | Unit of competency |
