Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:28 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:28 AM 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.
Conduct a Defence administrative inquiry
Conduct a Defence administrative inquiry
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFCM005B
DEFCM005B
State Code
AVU72
AVU72
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
091199 - Justice And Law Enforcement, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to conduct administrative inquiries under the inherent authority of commanders and under the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations.The unit has application to warrant officers and officers of the Australian Defence Force, and some civilian staff of the Australian Defence Organisation.Officers, warrant officers and Defence civilian 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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for the conduct of an inquiry
- 1.1 Requirement to conduct an inquiry is identified and confirmed in accordance with organisational practices and procedures.
- 1.2 Inquiry circumstances are analysed and discussed, if necessary, with the appointing authority.
2. Plan the inquiry
- 2.1 Inquiry Terms of Reference are identified, analysed and clarified in accordance with organisational practices and procedures.
- 2.2 Inquiry plan is developed in accordance with organisational practices and procedures.
- 2.3 Advice is sought where appropriate in accordance with organisational practices and procedures.
3. Gather and analyse evidence
- 3.1 Evidence is identified and acquired in accordance with organisational practices and procedures.
- 3.2 Interviews are conducted in accordance with organisational practices and procedures.
- 3.3 Evidence is confirmed and analysed in accordance with organisational practices and procedures.
- 3.4 Progress reports are provided in accordance with the Terms of Reference and appointing authority requirements.
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.
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.
An inquiry may include:
routine inquiry
Investigating Officer Inquiry under the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations
And have the same basic objectives:
to collect and assemble information and, in some cases, preserve documents and equipment
to establish facts known to be true and those that may be inferred from all the available information
to gather the best available information with the least possible delay
to make findings on the basis of the information collected
to make recommendations arising from the findings concerning remedial or other action, including administrative action or the initiation of a separate investigation by service or civil police
Organisational practices and procedures may include:
conventions including those covered by:
Defence Act, Naval Defence Act, Air Force Act
Defence Force Discipline Act (DFDA)
Defence (Inquiry) Regulations
ADFP 06.1.4
Legislation
policies
procedures
practices
standards
Appointing authority may include:
commanders
commanding officers
Inquiry plan may include:
allegations
an itinerary
chronology of events
list of evidence considered relevant
list of preliminary questions for key witnesses
list of issues requiring resolution
list of witnesses to be interviewed
Advice may be 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 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 may include:
only those based on the evidence gathered
only those within the boundaries of the terms of reference
Inquiry findings may
be in the form of a written report
have time constraints imposed
An inquiry may include:
routine inquiry
Investigating Officer Inquiry under the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations
And have the same basic objectives:
to collect and assemble information and, in some cases, preserve documents and equipment
to establish facts known to be true and those that may be inferred from all the available information
to gather the best available information with the least possible delay
to make findings on the basis of the information collected
to make recommendations arising from the findings concerning remedial or other action, including administrative action or the initiation of a separate investigation by service or civil police
Organisational practices and procedures may include:
conventions including those covered by:
Defence Act, Naval Defence Act, Air Force Act
Defence Force Discipline Act (DFDA)
Defence (Inquiry) Regulations
ADFP 06.1.4
Legislation
policies
procedures
practices
standards
Appointing authority may include:
commanders
commanding officers
Inquiry plan may include:
allegations
an itinerary
chronology of events
list of evidence considered relevant
list of preliminary questions for key witnesses
list of issues requiring resolution
list of witnesses to be interviewed
Advice may be 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 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 may include:
only those based on the evidence gathered
only those within the boundaries of the terms of reference
Inquiry findings may
be in the form of a written report
have time constraints imposed
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, to adhere to the Terms of Reference and to analyse evidence to form conclusions and recommendations.
Assessment must also confirm the ability to conduct interviews and elicit relevant information from witnesses.
The inquiry officer 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 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 to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment and required to allow the inquiry to be properly performed.
Assessment must confirm the ability to identify the issues surrounding the inquiry, to adhere to the Terms of Reference and to analyse evidence to form conclusions and recommendations.
Assessment must also confirm the ability to conduct interviews and elicit relevant information from witnesses.
The inquiry officer 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 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 to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment and required to allow the inquiry to be properly performed.
No information