Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:49 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:49 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Obtain information from a client
Obtain information from a client
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFPL021
DEFPL021
State Code
AVV84
AVV84
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
090913 - Legal Practice
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit describes the competency required to collect and record information from a client under the instruction of a legal officer.All aspects of legal practice may be subject to a range of legislation, rules, regulations and/or codes of practice relevant to different job roles and jurisdictions. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare relevant background material
- 1.1 Nature of client needs and client matter are discussed and clarified with legal officer.
- 1.2 Relevant background material and additional information is reviewed and analysed.
- 1.3 Where applicable, for a new client, file is opened according to organisation's policies and procedures.
2. Arrange for exchange of information
- 2.1 Client is contacted, according to organisation's policies and procedures.
- 2.2 Additional assistance from support staff is arranged to contact client, where necessary.
3. Obtain information
- 3.1 Legal limits of own responsibility are clearly outlined to client and mutual expectation is established.
- 3.2 Appropriate questioning techniques are used to obtain information from client.
- 3.3 Client information is recorded and information gathered is verified.
- 3.4 Clients are advised to obtain authorisations/clearances or authorisations/clearances are obtained for client, where appropriate.
4. Finalise matter
- 4.1 Timeframes for completion of client’s matter are arranged.
- 4.2 Where appropriate, client is advised of outcome.
- 4.3 Outcomes are recorded and filed in accordance with organisation’s policies and procedures.
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.
Relevant background material and additional information may include:
current file
previous dealings with client or relevant third party
relevant legislation and regulations
Organisation's policies and procedures may include:
accommodating specific client needs such as case manager, social worker
arranging meeting rooms
assigning the file matter number
contingencies
information sources
interviewing
performing conflict of interest check
protocol for contacting clients such as translator, interpreter
recording information
re-scheduling appointments
security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
updating files
verifying and authorising information/appointments
Contact with client may include:
contacting the client oneself
email
ensuring someone else contacts the client
interview
interview through an interpreter or other support person
letter
telephone interview
Appropriate questioning techniques may differ according to:
cultural background of the client
sensitivity of the matter
state of presentation of the client, for example:
communication issues
cooperativeness
defensiveness
emotion
hearing impairment
language the client speaks
being non-communicative
having a speech impairment
Obtaining information may include:
communicating:
in person
in writing
verbally
via a third party
Verifying information may include:
verifying personally
organising verification to be done via a third party
Relevant background material and additional information may include:
current file
previous dealings with client or relevant third party
relevant legislation and regulations
Organisation's policies and procedures may include:
accommodating specific client needs such as case manager, social worker
arranging meeting rooms
assigning the file matter number
contingencies
information sources
interviewing
performing conflict of interest check
protocol for contacting clients such as translator, interpreter
recording information
re-scheduling appointments
security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
updating files
verifying and authorising information/appointments
Contact with client may include:
contacting the client oneself
ensuring someone else contacts the client
interview
interview through an interpreter or other support person
letter
telephone interview
Appropriate questioning techniques may differ according to:
cultural background of the client
sensitivity of the matter
state of presentation of the client, for example:
communication issues
cooperativeness
defensiveness
emotion
hearing impairment
language the client speaks
being non-communicative
having a speech impairment
Obtaining information may include:
communicating:
in person
in writing
verbally
via a third party
Verifying information may include:
verifying personally
organising verification to be done via a third party
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
collect and record information from a client under the instruction of a legal officer
The candidate must at all times comply with legislative requirements, policy and standards, and demonstrate an awareness of access, equity and diversity principles and practices.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated workplace contexts.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment.
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
collect and record information from a client under the instruction of a legal officer
The candidate must at all times comply with legislative requirements, policy and standards, and demonstrate an awareness of access, equity and diversity principles and practices.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated workplace contexts.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC68 | DEFDPL008 | Obtain information from a client | Unit of competency |
