RPL for Certificate IV in Defence Paralegal Services

Certificate IV in Defence Paralegal Services takes 14 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for DEF40722 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 14 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you DEF40722. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what DEF40722 involves →

The 14 units you complete, chosen from these 28

You do not do all 28. Certificate IV in Defence Paralegal Services is 7 core units, which everyone does, plus 7 chosen from the 21 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Core units — everyone does these

• BSBCMM511 — Communicate with influence
• BSBINS303 — Use knowledge management systems
• DEFDPL016 — Conduct legal research
• DEFDPL028 — Provide paralegal support across Defence legal matters and tasks
• DEFDPL032 — Work in a public service legal environment
• DEFGEN011 — Interpret policy, legislation and regulations
• PSPGEN145 — Work effectively in the organisation

Electives — you choose from these

• BSBLEG315 — Assist in planning activities in a legal services environment
• BSBLEG423 — Conduct simple legal research
• BSBLEG424 — Support the drafting of complex legal documents
• BSBLEG521 — Conduct and apply legal research
• BSBLEG530 — Apply legal principles in wills and probate matters
• BSBOPS401 — Coordinate business resources
• BSBPMG428 — Apply project life cycle management processes
• BSBTWK503 — Manage meetings
• BSBWHS311 — Assist with maintaining workplace safety
• DEFDPL015 — Address complex legal and ethical issues in a Defence environment
• DEFDPL019 — Obtain information from a client
• DEFDPL029 — Provide support in criminal law matters
• DEFDPL030 — Provide support in Defence administrative law matters
• DEFDPL031 — Provide support in service discipline law matters
• DEFGEN003 — Lead a team
• PSPETH007 — Uphold and support the values and principles of public service
• PSPGEN090 — Engage with stakeholders
• PSPGEN096 — Use workplace communication strategies
• PSPGEN105 — Gather and analyse information
• PSPGEN148 — Develop internal and external networks
• PSPPCM028 — Carry out basic procurement

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate IV in Explosive Ordnance Operations (DEF40320, 15 units)

When you are ready, see what DEF40722 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.