The Certificate IV in Government qualification covers the competencies required for working without supervision in the public sector. This qualification is particularly suited to those working in an environment requiring multi skilled personnel and/or in small or regionally based organisations. Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and limited responsibility or changing contexts and within established parameters.
Additional qualification advice
This qualification has been designed to allow for maximum flexibility in the choice of elective units for achievement of a number of defined specialist occupational outcomes. Free choice of specified electives; or selection of other imported elective units within the same training package, another endorsed training package or accredited course further allows for packaging to be customised to meet a wide range of occupational outcomes within the public sector. Where the requirements for a specialisation stream have been achieved, the resultant testamur can reflect the field of study/discipline in accordance with the Australian Qualification Framework guidelines.
Subjects
15 units of competency are required for this qualification. This qualification may be undertaken as a general stream or a specialist stream qualification.
Up to 2 elective units maybe selected from a lower AQF qualification level.
All remaining elective units must be selected from an equivalent qualification level or higher.
Elective units selected should not duplicate content already covered by other units in this qualification.
When a qualification is linked to a defined specialisation as listed below, the resultant testamur can be titled: Certificate IV in Government (Field of study) e.g. Certificate IV in Government (Service delivery).
General stream
6 core units
Choose 1 unit from Group A
Choose 8 units from Group B, or from elsewhere within this training package, or a maximum of 4 units from another endorsed training package or accredited course.
Specialist stream
6 core units
Choose 1 unit from Group A
Choose a minimum of 6 units from one of the specialist stream elective groups listed below:
Group C: Human resources
Group D: Service delivery
Group E: Land administration
Group F: Injury claims administration
Group G: Injury rehabilitation management
Choose the remaining units from elsewhere within this training package, or another endorsed training package, or accredited course.
Select the appropriate unit according to workplace requirements. E.g. for supervisors/managers responsible for implementing OHS procedures etc select PSPOHS401B .
This specialist stream covers the competencies required for delivering services in a government service delivery context in the public sector. When selecting elective units for this specialist stream, take into account technical and agency-specific systems and procedures.
FACETS ADDRESSED: Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include the following facets:
Communication
Qualifications at this level require the use of advanced communication strategies for interacting with internal and external clients, colleagues and managers. This has the following performance outcomes:
Deal with complex enquiries and complaints, giving directions, managing meetings and making workplace and public presentations, as well as speaking, listening and reading non-verbal cues, reading, writing and visual literacy. It includes the use of written communication involving the evaluation and composition of complex workplace documents, interpreting and evaluating workplace information, composing complex written materials and editing.
Collect and analyse information to achieve work unit objectives and meet client needs. This includes identifying and collecting information, analysing and interpreting information, developing and applying workable solutions, presenting information and maintaining information.
Use a range of communication methods with a diverse range of clients and colleagues from different levels in the organisation, including negotiation and problem solving in a wide range of government matters. This includes using negotiation/conflict resolution techniques to resolve difficult situations and making referrals in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. It also includes the use of a range of communication strategies/skills with a diverse workforce and client base including assertiveness, listening, non-verbal communication, language style, problem solving.
Collect, organise, record and report information in accordance with organisational procedures and defined guidelines, using a range of standard and complex information systems and operations in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. This includes collecting evidence and information and ensuring that it is accurate, relevant and reported according to organisational requirements and negotiating recommendations for improving methods or techniques in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
Explain workplace issues and complex and formal documents such as legislation, using language and supporting material suitable to the needs of the audience and the situations they are likely to experience. This includes presenting information in a range of ways such as report format, numerically, in tables, with graphs, spatially.
Link ideas in written material through selection and use of words, grammatical structures, headings and punctuation appropriate to the purpose and use spelling, punctuation and grammar for workplace documents at an experienced level including editing drafts and recording to improve written communication.
Teamwork
Qualifications at this level require the development and maintenance of effective workplace relationships and networks. This requires the following performance outcomes:
Develop and maintain networks, including establishing and maintaining working relationships, and representing and promoting the organisation.
Promote the value of workplace diversity and the contribution it makes to effective work practices, the generation of new ideas, and the organisation's responsiveness to the community. This includes promoting the benefits of workplace diversity and contributing to diversity outcomes.
Handle difficult interpersonal situations and addressing the conflicts that may arise in day-to-day work activities. This includes identifying the cause of conflict, establishing and implementing strategies for dealing with conflict and evaluating the response and outcomes. It does not include formal negotiation, counselling or mediation.
Use collaborative planning with other workgroup members to integrate individual plans and build working relationships and identify work methods and practices and negotiate goals and outcomes to implement plans, in consultation with others. This includes providing feedback to workgroup members in regard to quality of client service delivery.
Identify the needs and viewpoints of individuals and consider them when implementing change. This includes suggesting options and opportunities for change to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the workgroup and the work environment, responding positively to suggestions for improvements made by workgroup members and acting on them where appropriate, giving and receiving feedback, including 'managing upwards'.
Encourage others (colleagues or those supervised) in the workplace to comply with legislation, including assisting others to comply with legislative requirements, and taking action on non-compliance.
Problem solving
Qualifications at this level cover the development, implementation and review of client services and the skills to address complex workplace and public issues in the context of government services, including monitoring problems in implementing work plans and propose solutions within area of responsibility. This requires the following workplace performance outcomes:
The delivery and monitoring of service to clients that requires understanding of the needs of existing and new clients which influence service requirements. This includes identifying and defining client needs, delivering client services, monitoring and improving client service delivery and reviewing client service.
The 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. This also includes carrying out more detailed analysis of information as required using relevant techniques including mathematical calculations and methods for numerical/graphical information.
The requirements for handling difficult interpersonal situations and addressing the conflicts that may arise in day-to-day work activities. It includes identifying the cause of conflict, establishing and implementing strategies for dealing with conflict and evaluating the response and outcomes. Strategies for the resolution of conflict take account of social and cultural differences and consistency with organisational policies and procedures. It does not include formal negotiation, counselling or mediation.
Numeracy for selecting and applying mathematical concepts, estimating, checking reasonableness of results and using a range of mathematical language to communicate mathematical information.
Initiative and enterprise
Qualifications at this level cover the skills required to implement a change process and includes understanding the reasons for change and initiating specific changes related to the work unit, suggesting options and opportunities for change, encouraging commitment to workplace change, monitoring and evaluating change and dealing with ambiguity in the change process. This requires the following performance outcomes:
The exercise of delegations in the public sector, including confirming the delegation, applying other interacting legislation, policy and guidelines, and exercising delegations.
Select innovative and cost-effective options for achieving objectives and aligned options to organisational aims, including conducting cost-benefit analysis and the preparation of written or oral quotations to provide goods or services to others, clarifying requirements, establishing costs and availability of resources, preparing estimates, preparing and submitting quotations and taking follow-up action. This also includes conducting market research in accordance with legislation, policy and procedures to confirm the viability of options.
Planning and organising
Qualifications at this level cover the development and implementation of work unit plans at both the work unit and individual level to achieve results through planning. It includes participating in the planning activities of the work unit, preparing individual work plans, and implementing and evaluating work plans. This requires the following performance outcomes:
The organisation of available resources at a senior operative rather than managerial level to facilitate achievement of work unit objectives. It includes acquiring and applying available resources, monitoring and reporting on resource usage and maintaining resources. It also includes applying public sector legislation, including occupational health and safety and environmental requirements in the context of resource usage, storage and maintenance.
The application of knowledge of government processes, including applying information relating to machinery of government, and applying knowledge of organisational functions and protocols, Legislation and regulations applying across the public sector, such as equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity.
Complete planning activities within the defined timeframe and meet the organisation's requirements, evaluate proposals, outcome and preparation process using feedback from a range of stakeholders and use results to improve subsequent quotations, develop contingency plans to ensure operational continuity, and revise work plans according to changes in work priorities and organisational needs.
Self management
Qualifications at this level require autonomous management of work roles, duties and responsibilities within the limitations of job descriptions, level of authority and delegations and departmental policies and procedures. This requires the following performance outcomes:
Identify and respond to risks using risk management procedures and treatments. This 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. It covers establishment of the risk context, identification, analysis and evaluation of risks, risks treatment, and monitoring and review of risk treatment plan.
Evaluate work activities based on feedback from workgroup members and other stakeholders and develop options for dealing with ambiguity and criteria for assessing those options and communicate them to the workgroup. This includes recognising and accepting the need to operate within constraints beyond one's own control and access and use information ethically and legally.
Plan career development and pathways. This includes self-assessment of skills and abilities, investigation of possible career opportunities, developing and implementing a career plan and monitoring progress against the plan.
Promote the value of workplace diversity and the contribution it makes to effective work practices, the generation of new ideas, and the organisation's responsiveness to the community. This includes promoting the benefits of workplace diversity and contributing to diversity outcomes.
Learning
Qualifications at this level cover the skills required to provide mentoring, coaching and performance review for others as well as personal career and skills development. This requires the following performance outcomes:
Plan career directions and pathways. This includes self-assessment of skills and abilities, investigation of possible career opportunities, developing and implementing a career plan and monitoring progress against the plan.
Undertake a gap analysis to identify those skills that are common to both preferred future career and the organisation's requirements. This includes reflecting on competencies and performance, maintaining currency in knowledge of principles and practices applied in the workplace, monitoring the acquisition of skills and experience and respond to feedback on achievement of performance requirements
Monitor the work performance of another person and provide feedback. This includes planning for performance monitoring and feedback, monitoring performance, providing and documenting feedback, determining action, and reviewing performance monitoring and feedback. It covers the provision of on-the-job coaching to colleagues and reflects the situation in many workplaces where formal and informal on-the-job coaching is extremely common. It includes preparation for coaching, and provision of and follow-up of coaching.
Identify learning from workplace experiences, share outcomes with others and transfer them to other initiatives including identifying and promoting training and awareness programs to encourage and support the skills development and advanced practice of others.
Technology
Qualifications at this level cover the technology skills required for general government workplaces and services. This requires the following performance outcomes:
Use workplace technology for a range of applications including, resource ordering, managing and financial requirements, computerised techniques for information management, computer technology for data storage, security, retrieval and presentation.
Specialists elective competencies cover the specific equipment and technology required by those specialist functions.
