For Biosecurity Officers - Certificate IV in Government Investigations (PSP40416)
Course LOCATIONS AND DATEs:
Course
Face-to-Face Training at Port Macquarie
Workshop 1: 3 - 5 March 2026
Workshop 2: 23 - 27 March 2026
Location: Port Macquarie
Course Cost: $3400 (GST-free)
Registration close: 21 Feb 2026
Course fees will increase effective 1 January 2026
Delivery Locations
ACFEC has the capacity to deliver courses across NSW. If the current locations are unsuitable for attendance, with sufficient interest ACFEC can organise another course. The minimum number of learners for a course is 14.
Certificate IV in Government Investigations (PSP40416)
for New BiOSECURITY Officers Authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2015 - 8 days course
The Compliance and Regulatory Training for New Biosecurity Officers provides a strong foundation in investigation skills, regulatory powers, evidence handling, and operational responsibilities under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Learners who have completed this program and wish to further develop their capability can continue their professional development by enrolling in the Certificate IV in Government Investigations (PSP40416).
This nationally recognised qualification expands on the skills introduced in the 5-day course, providing a deeper understanding of regulatory practice, investigation methodology, and evidentiary requirements across a broader public-sector context. The qualification is suitable for officers involved in compliance, enforcement, investigations, inspections, and regulatory decision-making.
Course overview
Delivered as an 8-day workshop, this program equips learners with the competencies required to:
Apply and exercise a full range of statutory powers across regulatory environments
Conduct complex investigations using defensible investigative methodologies
Plan, manage, and finalise investigations in line with legislative and organisational requirements
Prepare briefs of evidence, statements, and documentation suitable for legal proceedings
Present evidence and provide testimony in court or tribunal settings
Assess risks, manage stakeholder interactions, and make informed regulatory decisions
Learners will complete a series of practical activities, scenario-based exercises, and written assessments designed to reflect real public-sector operational work.
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To enrol, you’ll simply need to provide evidence of your current role or engagement with a public sector body.
Must be 18 years or over.
Successful completion of a Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) test.
All our courses require an LLND assessment, and ACFEC will contact you via email with details about this process.
For more information or to access an LLND skill level test before starting your studies, please contact ACFEC at admin@acfec.edu.au.
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The Certificate IV in Government Investigations (PSP40416) requires the completion of 15 units of competency. Of these 6 units must be completed from the core units, 1 unit from the Group A electives, and a minimum of 5 units from the Group B and Group C electives. The remaining electives can be selected from the list below, from elsewhere within the Public Service Training Package, from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course. The units below are typically selected by clients, but the unit selection can be amended in consultation with the client.
Core units:
PSPETH002 Uphold and support the values and principles of public service
PSPINV001 Plan and initiate an investigation
PSPINV002 Conduct an investigation
PSPINV003 Finalise an investigation
PSPREG003 Apply regulatory powers
PSPREG012 Gather information through interviews
Elective units :
Group A Work Health Safety
BSBWHS201 Contribute to the health and safety of self and others
Group B Regulatory Compliance Specialisation
PSPREG006 Produce formal record of interview
PSPREG008 Act on non-compliance
PSPREG013 Undertake inspections and monitoring
Group C General Elective units
PSPCRT007 Compile and use official notes
PSPGEN033 Use advanced workplace communication strategies
PSPLEG002 Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector
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Assessment will be conducted in accordance with the assessment guidelines outlined in the Public Sector Training Package.
Assessment tools include:
practical exercises;
contextualised workplace simulation that is embedded into the sessions;
a mock court ; and
short-answer questions to test underpinning knowledge.