Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:14 AM AWST

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Contribute to policy development

Contribute to policy development

Unit of competency
National Code
PSPPOL401A
State Code
C8238
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
01/11/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/07/2014
Field of Education
090103 - Policy Studies
Original Release Date
07/07/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit covers the provision of input to the policy development process by all public sector staff and other stakeholders who are not policy specialists (i.e. they are not responsible for developing policy). It includes contributing to the consultative, validation and review phases of policy development, and providing feedback on the policy development process.Assistance to the policy development process by specialist policy research officers responsible for aspects of policy development is covered in the unit PSPPOL402A Assist with specialist policy development, rather than this unit. In practice, contributing to the development of policy may overlap with other generalist or specialist work activities such as applying government processes, providing client services, gathering and analysing information, providing input to change.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Contribute to the consultative phase of policy development
  • 1.1 Opportunities to contribute to policy development are identified and responded to in accordance with organisational needs, government directions and priorities.
  • 1.2 Information on the policy development process, timelines and expected outcomes is communicated to interested parties in accordance with public sector requirements, to ensure likely stakeholders are aware of, and able to engage in, policy development that may affect them.
  • 1.3 Information on policy requirements and existing policies and procedures likely to be impacted, is gathered from within and outside the immediate work environment, recorded and provided in accordance with organisational procedures.
2. Contribute to the validation stage of policy development
  • 2.1 Draft policy is analysed and the likely implications for government service delivery are identified in consultation with those likely to be affected.
  • 2.2 Draft policy implications for work processes and outcomes are evaluated and recorded.
  • 2.3 Likely implementation issues, dissenting stakeholders and transition requirements are identified and recorded.
  • 2.4 Feedback on draft policy is provided as unambiguous, objective advice supported by evidence provided in accordance with organisational procedures.
3. Provide feedback on policy development
  • 3.1 Information relating to the process of policy development is gathered, stored and analysed during policy development, as required.
  • 3.2 Oral or written feedback on the policy development process and the final policy is provided to the policy developer in accordance with organisational procedures.
4. Contribute to the review of policy
  • 4.1 Information relating to the expected outcomes of the policy is gathered, recorded, analysed and provided before, during and/or following policy implementation, as required.
  • 4.2 Unanticipated consequences of policy and suggestions for dealing with them are identified and reported immediately in accordance with organisational procedures and protocols.
The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.
Policy may include:
any policy required by an organisation for its own functioning or to meet board or government directives
public policy
public sector policy
central agency policy
whole of government policies
international policy
organisational policy relating to a range of functions, such as:
human resources
administration
financial management
work practices
training
information technology
technical/professional requirements
environmental and sustainability practices
Identification of policy development opportunities may occur through:
participation in:
policy networks
industry forums
professional associations
special interest groups
government publications
political party platforms
international literature
other government departments in other jurisdictions
Public sector requirements may include:
full public involvement
limited public involvement
involvement of selected individuals and organisations
embargo on wide stakeholder involvement until later stage of policy development
Stakeholders may include:
all those individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation that have some direct interest in the organisation's conduct, actions, products and services, including:
employees at all levels of the organisation
other public sector organisations
private sector organisations
non-government organisations
other jurisdictions
union and association representatives
boards of management
government
Ministers
clients
the public
special interest groups
Information gathering may include:
stakeholder consultation
developments in other public sector or private sector organisations
evaluation of similar policies
benchmarking
pilots or trials of policy
quantitative or qualitative research/data
survey instruments
Information sources outside the immediate work environment may include:
clients
community
special interest groups
non-government organisations
other public sector organisations
private sector organisations
other jurisdictions
other countries
those likely to be affected
Those likely to be affected may include:
clients
colleagues
related services
contractors
other staff
other organisations
other government sectors
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil
Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients
PSPGOV405B Provide input to change processes
PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information
PSPGOV408A Value diversity
PSPGOV422A Apply government processes
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
contribution to policy development in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
relevant policy and legislation
public sector standards, procedures and protocols
policy development guidelines
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when contributing to policy development, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
contribution to policy development in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
portfolios
projects
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C3450 PSPPOLD401A Contribute to the development of policy Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWU19 PSPPCY001 Contribute to policy development Unit of competency