PSP40416 Certificate IV in Government Investigations

Government investigations must be conducted lawfully, fairly and with a clear evidentiary basis. Investigators and regulatory practitioners need the judgement and practical skills to exercise powers appropriately, manage evidence carefully and make defensible decisions.

You will develop the ability to:

• Plan, conduct and finalise government investigations

• Apply regulatory powers within legislative and organisational requirements

• Gather, assess and manage information and evidence

• Conduct investigative interviews and maintain accurate records

• Identify and respond appropriately to non-compliance

• Prepare investigation reports and briefs of evidence, and present evidence in legal proceedings

To enrol in this qualification, your current work must regularly involve conducting or supporting government investigations. This may include investigation work undertaken as part of regulatory, compliance, enforcement or inspection functions.

You must be either:

• Employed by the Australian Government, a state or territory government, local government, a statutory authority, public agency or another recognised public sector organisation; or

• Engaged as a consultant or contractor conducting or supporting investigations for a government or public sector organisation.

Your current responsibilities must give you access to investigation activities. These may include:

• Planning investigations

• Assessing information or evidence

• Conducting interviews

• Gathering or documenting evidence

• Preparing investigation records or reports.

General requirements

You must also:

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Complete a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment

• Complete a pre-training review

• Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not already have a USI, you can create one at www.usi.gov.au

• For virtual delivery, have access to a computer or laptop with reliable internet, a camera and a microphone.

To achieve this qualification, you must successfully complete 15 units of competency, comprising six core units and nine elective units.

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

• BSBWHS201 – Contribute to the health and safety of self and others

• PSPREG006 – Produce formal record of interview

• PSPREG008 – Act on non-compliance

• PSPREG013 – Undertake inspections and monitoring

• PSPCRT007 – Compile and use official notes

• PSPGEN033 – Use advanced workplace communication strategies

• PSPLEG002 – Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector

• PSPREG010 – Prepare a brief of evidence

• PSPREG011 – Give evidence

Assessment is designed to demonstrate your ability to apply government investigation skills in workplace-relevant or simulated contexts.

Assessment may include:

• Practical tasks and projects aligned to government investigation activities

• Scenarios, role plays and observation of applied skills

• Short-answer questions and written responses

• Reflective tasks linked to workplace practice

• Use of organisational or provided documentation where appropriate

Assessment tasks are to be completed within three weeks following the final scheduled training session. You will also be required to complete self-directed study outside scheduled training sessions.

Full assessment requirements and submission timelines are provided upon enrolment.

On successful completion of all required units, you will receive the PSP40416 Certificate IV in Government Investigations.

A Statement of Attainment will be issued for any units successfully completed where the full qualification is not achieved.

This qualification supports capability development in operational government investigation, regulatory compliance and enforcement roles.

It also provides a pathway to further study, including:

• PSP50416 - Diploma of Government Investigations

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer are available for eligible participants in accordance with ACFEC's policies and procedures.

Participants who believe they have already achieved the outcomes of this unit through previous study or relevant workplace experience are encouraged to contact ACFEC to discuss their eligibility.

VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

Workshop 1: 20–23 October 2026
Workshop 2: 27–30 October 2026

Time: 9 am–4.30 pm

Registrations Close: 14 October 2026

Delivery: 8 scheduled days

Delivery Mode: Virtual classroom

VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

Workshop 1: 22 - 25 February 2027
Workshop 2: 1-4 March 2027

Time: 9 am–4.30 pm

Registrations Close: 10 February 2027

Delivery: 8 scheduled days

Delivery Mode: Virtual classroom

For key student information, see the Student Handbook and policies and procedures section on the ACFEC website.