PSPCRT409B
Administer court fines and debt management

This unit covers the ability to administer court fines and arrangements, manage debtors and negotiate payments. It includes undertaking case management of judgement debtors and managing a case load.In practice, administering court fines and debt management may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities, such as acting ethically, working with diversity, complying with legislation, applying government processes, and gathering and analysing information. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

The task of managing fines may be performed in a court setting and will be undertaken by authorised court officials operating under strictly specified procedures.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Undertake case management of judgement debtors.

1.1. Financial assessments are undertaken of income, assets and expenditure in relation to payment arrangements.

1.2. Decisions regarding applications for relief are made in accordance with legislation, practice and procedures.

1.3. Payment arrangements are negotiated in accordance with delegated authority and clients' ability to pay.

1.4. Contact is made with fine defaulters in order to collect debts according to organisational policy and procedures.

1.5. Workplace safety requirements are applied when dealing with difficult or irate clients.

1.6. Referrals are made to authorised officer or official for alternative penalties where necessary, according to organisational policy and procedures.

2. Participate in management of case load.

2.1. Enforcements are issued and cancelled in accordance with delegated authority.

2.2. Data matching is conducted to confirm information as required.

2.3. Schedule of action dates is maintained and used.

2.4. Lists are managed according to court requirements.

2.5. Cases are managed in line with organisational policy and procedure.

2.6. Case management records are maintained in accordance with legislation, practice and procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

initiative and enterprise skills to:

apply rules, Acts, procedures, practice directions and legislation in the context of court fines administration and debt management

apply procedures relating to public sector legislation, such as OHS and environment in the context of court fines administration and debt management

identify principles and procedures in relation to financial assessments and data matching

communication skills to:

deal effectively with a diverse range of clients

negotiate payment arrangements

interpersonal skills to respond to diversity, including gender and disability

literacy skills to:

interpret complex legal documents, such as judgements and legislation

maintain accurate case management records

technology skills to operate computer technology for data input and case management

Required knowledge

rules, Acts, procedures, practice directions and legislation relating to administration of court fines and debt management

courts administration structure

principles of judicial independence

current approaches to courts administration

fines enforcement policy

limits of authority to negotiate payment arrangements and make decisions on applications for relief

case management in the context of fines administration and debt management

equal employment opportunity principles

equity and diversity principles

working ethically

public sector legislation, such as OHS and environment in the context of court fines administration and debt management

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

undertake assessment of client's income, assets and expenditure

determine client's ability to make payments and then negotiate payment arrangements

make arrangements for debt collection

apply appropriate risk-management procedures to ensure safety in the workplace

make referrals to magistrates

manage the actions, schedules and details required of a case load

apply legislative practices and procedures

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by administering court fines and arrangements, managing debtors and negotiating payments on a range of occasions, over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must comply with:

applicable regulations and codes

workplace procedures and protocols

Access may be required to:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practices and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when administering court fines and debt management, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to court fines and debts

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when administering court fines and debt management

Guidance information for assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

oral questioning about relevant legislation, acting ethically, and applying processes

observation of the candidate responding to a range of contexts to ensure achievement of the unit outcomes

feedback from peers and/or supervisor that the candidate consistently applies relevant workplace procedures

review of records completed by candidate or reports of performance

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency that are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.


Range Statement

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Payment arrangements may be:

fines

fees

judgements

cash and cheques

credit card transactions

electronic funds transfer

money orders

Legislation, practice and procedures may include:

legislation relating to fines enforcement

work instructions

standard operating procedures

guidelines, manuals or handbooks

financial audit Acts and guidelines

client service standards and manuals

rules and regulations


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Courts.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.