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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Implement an appropriate course of action to recover outstanding debt
  2. Monitor and review effectiveness of recovery action
  3. Assess account to determine eligibility for write-off

Required Skills

Required skills

welldeveloped communication and interpersonal skills to

determine and confirm errant debt status using questioning and active listening as required

tactfully negotiate debt recovery options with debtors by advocating strategies and outcomes

liaise with others share information listen and understand

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences comprehension age possible disability and language level of the debtor

numeracy and IT skills to

perform debt recovery calculations

access and update account records electronically

access web based information services

literacy skills to

read and interpret documentation from a variety of sources

provide written documentation to customers on debt and recovery situations

provide advice to debt recovery contractors and legal practitioners

research and analysis skills for accessing interpreting and managing information and to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and industry development

judgement skills for making debt recovery option decisions

organisational skills including the ability to plan and sequence work

Required knowledge

all current developments in the credit management sector and organisation policy

all current and legal means of debt recovery action and processes

relevant legislative requirements

currant climate of the credit management sector

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

interpret and apply appropriate legislation and common law

implement organisation credit policy

use good liaison skills to clarify information for all credit accounts and interpersonal skills to achieve positive outcomes

apply strong negotiation skills to resolve disputes queries and problems

accurately use data entry and recording systems

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

competency is demonstrated in the context of the financial services work environment and conditions specified in the range statement either in a relevant workplace or a closely simulated work environment

access to and the use of a range of common office equipment technology software and consumables

access to organisational policies and procedures relating to debt recovery

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples in combination are appropriate for this unit

evaluating an integrated activity which combines the elements of competency for the unit or a cluster of related units of competency

verbal or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills

setting and reviewing business simulations or scenarios

accessing and validating third party reports

Guidance information for assessment


Range Statement

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Recovery actions may include:

buy/sell debt

debtor insurance

enforcement of securitisation arrangements

legal action

liaison with client

return of goods

third party intervention.

Internal stakeholders may include:

management team

other departments within the organisation.

Legislation may include:

Bankruptcy Act

Bills of Sale and Other Instruments Act

Cheques and Payment Orders Act

Corporations Act

Criminal Act

Door to Door Sales Act or equivalent

Evidence Reproduction Act or equivalent

Fair Trading Acts

Magistrate's Court Act

National Consumer Credit Protection Act

Partnership Act

Personal Property Security Act

Privacy Act

Small Debts Court Act or equivalent

Tax Acts and taxation law

Trade Practices Act.

Organisation policy, guidelines and procedures may cover:

accepting and rejecting credit applications

applying customer payments to appropriate accounts

assistance to be provided to customers on billing and collection problems

collecting monies due the organisation

fraud awareness

gathering information and its evaluation

legal obligations and framework

maintenance of customer account files

maintenance of security of invoice and other appropriate files

making billing adjustments to customer accounts

overall organisation goals and objectives

recovery costs

reviewing and adjusting credit limits for established customers

setting credit limits or credit lines for applications

suspension of credit facilities

trading terms and credit limits

Organisation procedures may include:

consideration of customer circumstances

ongoing support and negotiation with customers

referral to external organisations for advice

settlement schedules.