This unit has application to warrant officers and officers of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and some civilian staff of the Australian Defence Organisation.
Staff may be appointed to conduct administrative inquiries to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding an incident or situation so that an informed decision may be taken about the action required including, where appropriate, action to avoid a recurrence.
The type of inquiry conducted will be dependent on the level of authority, rank or position.
Not applicable.
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare to conduct an inquiry | 1.1 Appointment as inquiry officer is received from appointing authority and is acknowledged in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 1.2 Inquiry circumstances are analysed and discussed, if necessary, with the appointing authority. 1.3 Independence is confirmed and acknowledged in accordance with organisational policy. 1.4 Appropriate Defence publications are referred to, to determine the appropriate course of action. |
2. Plan an inquiry | 2.1 Inquiry Terms of Reference are identified, analysed and clarified in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 2.2 Inquiry plan is developed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 2.3 Advice is sought, where appropriate, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. |
3. Gather and analyse evidence | 3.1 Evidence is identified and acquired in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 3.2 Interviews are conducted in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 3.3 Evidence is confirmed and analysed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 3.4 Progress reports are provided in accordance with the Terms of Reference and appointing authority requirements. 3.5 Inquiry is suspended (in the particular area) and appointing authority is notified when Defence Force Discipline Act (DFDA) offence or other notifiable incident is suspected, in accordance with organisational policies. |
4. Present inquiry findings | 4.1 Conclusions and recommendations are made on the basis of the analysis of the evidence. 4.2 Inquiry findings are presented in accordance with the Terms of Reference and appointing authority requirements. |
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
analyse evidence communicate ideas, arguments and conclusions logically conduct interviews interpret policies prepare complex documents undertake required tasks with objectivity and impartiality use appropriate legal terminology |
Required Knowledge |
Defence (Inquiry) Regulations inquiry processes interview techniques relevant Defence publications relevant legislation relevant organisational policies and procedures scope of authority of an investigating officer undertaking an administrative inquiry |
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Assessment must confirm the ability to: identify the issues surrounding the inquiry adhere to the Terms of Reference analyse evidence to form conclusions and recommendations Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated inquiry contexts. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment conducting an inquiry. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: documentation and resources normally found in the work environment and required to allow the inquiry to be properly performed |
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. | |
Inquiry may include: | CDF Commission/Board of inquiry General court of inquiry IG-ADF inquiry Inquiry officer inquiry Routine inquiry |
Appointing authority may include: | commanders commanding officers |
Organisational policies and procedures may include: | conventions including those covered by: ADFP 06.1.4 Defence Act, Naval Defence Act, Air Force Act DFDA Defence (Inquiry) Regulations legislation |
Independence may include: | confirming lack of bias or declaring bias confirming lack of conflict of interest or declaring conflict of interest |
Appropriate Defence publications may include: | Australian Defence Force Publication 06.1.4 |
Inquiry plan may include: | allegations chronology of events itinerary list of evidence considered relevant list of issues requiring resolution list of preliminary questions for key witnesses list of witnesses to be interviewed |
Advice is sought from: | Complaint Resolution Agency Defence Equity Organisation Defence legal service legal officer specialist personnel with experience relevant to the topic of investigation |
Interviews may include: | advising witnesses of their rights and obligations advising witnesses that no guarantee of confidentiality can be given and that disclosure may occur (but not in contravention of the privacy act) applying fair hearing rules and no bias rule producing written transcripts and inquiry officer notes recording interviews by audio or visual means |
Conclusions and recommendations only include those: | based on the evidence gathered within the boundaries of the terms of reference |
Inquiry findings may: | be in the form of a written report have time constraints imposed |
Not applicable.
This unit contains employability skills.
Not applicable.