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DEF40217Certificate IVCurrentDEF training package

DEF40217 Certificate IV in Intelligence Operations

DEF40217 is the nationally recognised Certificate IV behind defence force members, fire fighters and police work. It has been the current version on the national register since 2017, when it replaced DEF42112. 40 people enrolled in 2025, up 33.3% on the year before.

Often searched as Cert 4 in Intelligence Operations · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Long-term outlook
Positive
Two structural signals up
Register status
Current
Replaced DEF42112 in 2017
Enrolments
Rising fast
Up 33.3% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer

The independent signals behind the Certificate IV in Intelligence Operations line up. Employment is projected to grow through 2035 and enrolments are rising. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.

Jobs and Skills Australia

Is the work there?

Ten year outlook

Defence force members, fire fighters and police jobs are projected to grow. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 101 workers in May 2025, 106 by May 2030 (up 5%) and 112 by May 2035 (up 10.9%).

101
workers, May 2025
106
workers, May 2030
112
workers, May 2035
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET Activity

Who is training

More people are choosing the Certificate IV in Intelligence Operations every year. Across Australia, 30 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 40, up 33.3% in a year. National data for DEF40217 starts in 2020.

NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework

What does studying it involve?

The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.

How long it takes
A Certificate IV is typically 0.5 to 2 years of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to DEF40217 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training lists

What does it cost, and who funds it?

State funding for DEF40217 is being verified against official program lists.

Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.

Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packaging

What is in the qualification

The Certificate IV in Intelligence Operations is 14 units: 6 core, plus 8 electives chosen from 24 options on the register. One unit has prerequisites, marked below.

  • BSBWRT401Write complex documents
  • DEFGEN007Conduct risk assessment in a Defence environment
  • DEFINT001Supervise intelligence operations
  • DEFINT002Plan and lead a counter-surveillance operation
  • PSPGEN027Gather and analyse information
  • PUACOM007BLiaise with other organisations
View the 24 elective options
  • BSBCMM411Make presentations
  • BSBITU402Develop and use complex spreadsheets
  • BSBMKG555Write persuasive copy
  • BSBPMG420Apply project scope management techniques
  • BSBPMG424Apply project human resources management approaches
  • BSBPMG425Apply project information management and communications techniques
  • BSBPMG428Apply project life cycle management processes
  • BSBPMG430Undertake project work
  • BSBTEC402Design and produce complex spreadsheets
  • BSBWHS311Assist with maintaining workplace safety
  • BSBWHS411Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs
  • DEFGEN003Lead a team
  • DEFGEN010Supervise equity and diversity in the workplace
  • DEFGEN012Provide technical advice
  • DEFINT003Edit intelligence material for security purposes
  • PSPGEN130Use resources to achieve work unit goals
  • PSPGEN138Organise workplace information
  • PSPINV001Plan and initiate an investigation
  • PSPINV003Finalise an investigation
  • PSPINV004Conduct an investigation
  • PSPSEC007Develop and advise on government security procedures
  • PSPSEC012Develop security risk management plans
  • PSPSEC022Implement security risk treatments
  • PUATEA002Work autonomously (has prerequisites)
training.gov.au national register, DEF40217 release 2
Same training package

What skill sets come from the DEF training package?

Handle Explosive Ordnance and Dangerous Goods
DEFSS00022 · skill set guide
Risk Assessment Skill Set
DEFSS00039 · skill set guide
Where to study

Where can I study DEF40217?

No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.

Browse courses
How we calculate these figures

Get Course maps DEF40217 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 4410) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; register training.gov.au, synced 18 September 2026; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.

About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.