Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:47 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:47 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.
Provide high-level support on operations law matters
Provide high-level support on operations law matters
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFPL018
DEFPL018
State Code
AVV81
AVV81
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
090901 - Business And Commercial Law
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to provide high-level support on operations law matters.This unit includes analysing the circumstance surrounding the issue, conducting research, consulting legal officers and providing information.The high-level support provided in this unit must be within the legal limit of the individual’s responsibility. 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. Plan and prepare for the provision of high-level support on operations law matters
- 1.1 Circumstances that require the provision of high-level support on operations law are identified.
- 1.2 Circumstances are analysed, and issues are interpreted and clearly defined.
2. Receive enquiry
- 2.1 Enquirer’s needs are identified, analysed and clarified.
- 2.2 Legal limits of own responsibility are clearly outlined to enquirer before any information is imparted.
- 2.3 Enquiries outside one’s area of responsibility are identified and assistance is sought or enquiry is referred on to legal officer where appropriate.
3. Provide information in operations law
- 3.1 Enquirer’s or event details and problem/s are recorded.
- 3.2 Information is relayed where available and appropriate.
- 3.3 Research is conducted within the scope of own responsibility.
- 3.4 Non-disclosable information is not communicated and where any doubt exists as to the information’s status it is not disclosed.
4. Consult legal officer to resolve issues
- 4.1 Issues are discussed with legal officer in accordance with legal practices and procedures.
- 4.2 Issues are communicated to legal officer and resolution/action is discussed in accordance with legal practices and procedures.
- 4.3 Suggested action/resolution is carried out in accordance with legal practices 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.
Circumstances that require the provision of high-level support on operations law may include:
complaint
event arising that may disclose a Defence service activity
incidents arising or related to the Australian Defence Force service
legal inquiry
non-legal inquiry
peacekeeping
seeking information
seeking referral
someone seeking disclosable information
Operations law may include:
government foreign policy
human rights, including international humanitarian law
international treaties and other arrangements (e.g. status of forced agreements, memorandum of understanding, environmental)
Laws of Armed Conflict
Law of the Sea
Law of Aerial Warfare
Rules of Engagement
Orders for Opening Fire
relevant domestic law (such as fisheries, customs, immigration, Aid to the Civil Power)
Use of Force
Enquirer may include:
commanders
civilian employees of the Defence organisation
Defence civilians
disciplinary appointees, including officers, warrant officers, non commissioned officers
other members of the Australian Defence Force
outside agencies
Identification, analysis and clarification of enquirer’s needs may include:
accommodating any communication difficulties
clarification of request or problem by summarising and repeating summaries to ensure that information gathered is reflective of the information that the enquirer wishes to communicate
Sensitivity to enquirer’s emotional/physical state, cultural and service background
and may include the requirement to communicate:
in writing
in person
verbally
via third party
electronically
Legal limits of own responsibility may include:
provision of legal advice by a person who is not a qualified legal officer as defined by the Legal Practice Act
relationship between the client and the Defence legal service (such as Privacy Act, secrecy laws, codes of practice, service requirements)
relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
Information may include:
areas of law/practice the Defence legal service handles
charges and review process
correct contact in the defence legal service
disciplinary process
jurisdiction
non-disciplinary process
punishments and orders
Non-disclosable information may include:
legally privileged information
organisationally classified or caveated information
relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
Legal practices and procedures may include:
emergency procedures
handling contingencies
information sources
information specific to the Defence legal service
interviewing process
protocol for accommodating specific client needs such as case manager, social worker, parole officer, translator, interpreter, service requirement
protocol for handling enquiries
providing disclaimers
recording information
security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
telephone protocol
verifying and authorising information
Resolution/action may include:
advising the enquirer after researching the appropriate information
not pursuing the matter
referring enquirer to another legal officer or practitioner
referring enquirer to supervisor or appropriate authority
referring enquirer to the appropriate government department
Carrying out resolution/action may include:
alternative dispute resolution processes
documenting and filing communication
informing caller of resolution
notifying relevant department of enquiry
promptly contacting enquirer where appropriate
providing written or oral advice
recording contact on database
Circumstances that require the provision of high-level support on operations law may include:
complaint
event arising that may disclose a Defence service activity
incidents arising or related to the Australian Defence Force service
legal inquiry
non-legal inquiry
peacekeeping
seeking information
seeking referral
someone seeking disclosable information
Operations law may include:
government foreign policy
human rights, including international humanitarian law
international treaties and other arrangements (e.g. status of forced agreements, memorandum of understanding, environmental)
Laws of Armed Conflict
Law of the Sea
Law of Aerial Warfare
Rules of Engagement
Orders for Opening Fire
relevant domestic law (such as fisheries, customs, immigration, Aid to the Civil Power)
Use of Force
Enquirer may include:
commanders
civilian employees of the Defence organisation
Defence civilians
disciplinary appointees, including officers, warrant officers, non commissioned officers
other members of the Australian Defence Force
outside agencies
Identification, analysis and clarification of enquirer’s needs may include:
accommodating any communication difficulties
clarification of request or problem by summarising and repeating summaries to ensure that information gathered is reflective of the information that the enquirer wishes to communicate
Sensitivity to enquirer’s emotional/physical state, cultural and service background
and may include the requirement to communicate:
in writing
in person
verbally
via third party
electronically
Legal limits of own responsibility may include:
provision of legal advice by a person who is not a qualified legal officer as defined by the Legal Practice Act
relationship between the client and the Defence legal service (such as Privacy Act, secrecy laws, codes of practice, service requirements)
relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
Information may include:
areas of law/practice the Defence legal service handles
charges and review process
correct contact in the defence legal service
disciplinary process
jurisdiction
non-disciplinary process
punishments and orders
Non-disclosable information may include:
legally privileged information
organisationally classified or caveated information
relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation
Legal practices and procedures may include:
emergency procedures
handling contingencies
information sources
information specific to the Defence legal service
interviewing process
protocol for accommodating specific client needs such as case manager, social worker, parole officer, translator, interpreter, service requirement
protocol for handling enquiries
providing disclaimers
recording information
security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
telephone protocol
verifying and authorising information
Resolution/action may include:
advising the enquirer after researching the appropriate information
not pursuing the matter
referring enquirer to another legal officer or practitioner
referring enquirer to supervisor or appropriate authority
referring enquirer to the appropriate government department
Carrying out resolution/action may include:
alternative dispute resolution processes
documenting and filing communication
informing caller of resolution
notifying relevant department of enquiry
promptly contacting enquirer where appropriate
providing written or oral advice
recording contact on database
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
provide high-level support on operations law matters
analyse the circumstances surrounding the issue
conduct research
consult legal officers
provide information
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:
provide high-level support on operations law matters
analyse the circumstances surrounding the issue
conduct research
consult legal officers
provide information
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC09 | DEFDPL005 | Provide high-level support on operations law matters | Unit of competency |
