Course in Community Justice Services (Commissioner for Declarations)

10793NAT Course in Community Justice Services (Commissioner for Declarations)

Our Queensland Commissioner for Declarations Course is suitable for participants who wish to apply to become a Commissioner for Declarations in Queensland. This course is NOT available in other states.

The role of a Commissioner for Declarations is not to be taken lightly. You have a vital and responsible role to play in the general community. You will at times be dealing with matters of crucial importance to people’s lives.

The skills and knowledge learnt in this course are vital to ensuring that you are competent in undertaking this judicial role and to minimise the risk of litigation against the state or you as the individual.

Are you looking for CDec services and not a CDec course? Click here!

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be competent to apply for appointment as a Commissioner for Declarations.

As a Cdec you will be able to:

• Witness oaths or affidavits
• Take statutory declarations and affirmations
• Witness signatures
• Attest the execution of a document
• Certify a true copy of an original document.

As a Cdec you WILL NOT be able to:

• Issue search warrants
• Issue arrest warrants
• Grant bail.

If you are interested in carrying out these duties you will need to study the Justice of the Peace (Qualified) course.

Please note that completing this training does not automatically allow you to begin duties as a Commissioner for Declarations in QLD. You must complete your course and then apply for your appointment. Only after you have been sworn in can you undertake these duties.

As a Commissioner for Declarations you are not able to charge for your services.

Discounted Membership for ASSET graduates

Queensland Justices Association is Queensland’s largest and Australia’s oldest professional association for JPs. They are committed to the idea that being a JP is a profession and vocation for life.

ASSET graduates can receive a student membership for just $60 for 12 months!

As a member you will receive:

• Member tools and resources to help you keep up to date and make your document witnessing easier, especially for those documents you are not familiar with.
• Professional Development – update training in bite size, snack size and main meal portions in single topic, repeating the pre-appointment learning or getting extra professional recognition.
• Accreditation opportunity to recognise your professionalism and lived knowledge
• eLogbook for anywhere anytime recording of your document witnessing
• Member pricing on stamps, publications and general merchandise to make witnessing documents easier with correct wording and we include personalisation.
• Insurance coverage for personal accident wherever you do your duties
• A free will and initial legal consultation with our pro bono lawyers.

To become a JP or Cdec you must:

• be an Australian citizen
• be at least 18 years old
• be of good character
• be registered on the Queensland electoral roll
• have completed the relevant training–Course in Providing Community Justice Services (Commissioner for Declarations) (Justice of the Peace [Qualified]).

You cannot apply or hold office as a JP or Cdec if you:

• have been convicted of a serious offence at any time (i.e. an indictable offence, irrespective of whether it was dealt with in the magistrates, district or supreme court)
• have been convicted of more than 2 offences of any kind at any time
• have been convicted of an offence of any kind in the last 5 years
• have been convicted of an alcohol or drug driving offence in the last 5 years
• have been convicted of more than 2 traffic offences in the last 4 years (i.e. convictions under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995)
• are an undischarged bankrupt (i.e. not yet free from bankruptcy).

Also, if you have been convicted of more than 6 offences under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 in a 4 year period, you are not qualified to be appointed as a JP or Cdec for 5 years after the date of your last conviction.

Examples of offences include all types of criminal offences, drug related offences, financial (tax or business related), social security offences, shoplifting, or failure to pay a TOLL fee within the stated period of time.

Note that for traffic offences, a person who pays an amount by the way of a penalty for an offence, is taken to have been convicted of the offence on the day the amount is paid.

These conditions are from the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991.

Individuals convicted of more than 6 offences under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 in a 4 year period, are not qualified to be appointed as a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) or Commissioner of Declarations for 5 years after the date of the last conviction.

You will need to provide on enrolment:

To complete this course you must demonstrate competency in 1 unit.

• QCJWIT001 Witness or certify documents

OPTION 1 – Study in Class

Complete this course by attending a 1 day face-to-face workshop, followed by completing your assessments from home. We strongly recommend you attend the 1 day face-to-face workshop to get the most out of this course. There is no extra cost for attending. You will be able to complete the practical activities and assessments with trainer support.

Delivery locations for face to face classes include:

• North Lakes
• Ashmore (Gold Coast)

OPTION 2 – External Course

This option requires you to study the material within the CDec Handbook and our online resources and apply this knowledge to the assessments. There is no trainer assistance involved with this option. You will be enrolled in the online portal once your enrolment is confirmed.

All students enrolling, regardless of delivery mode will require a computer or tablet with speakers to complete the course. If you do not have your own, you can use a computer at one of ASSET’s campuses. All students will be required to complete the online theory component of this course.

You will need access to a printer and a scanner to complete this course. If you do not have a scanner, you can download the Genius Scan app which is free.

Note: It is recommended for this course that you complete all assessment tasks in full within 28 days.

Fee-for-service
$295

Payment Options

• EFTPOS
• Credit Card (MasterCard, Visa & Amex)
• Direct Deposit
• PayPal
• Interest Free zipMoney Payment Plans – From $25 a week

Other Information

Please read our Course Fees and Refund policy here.

Extension Request Fees

Should you require an extension on your study, the following applies:

One Month – $50
Six Months – $150

Assessment Re-Submission Fees

Should you be deemed not competent after 2 attempts at a unit of competency, an assessment re-submission fee of $50 will apply per assessment.

Re-Enrolment

Should you wish to cancel your course or your enrolment is cancelled by us due to no progress and you then wish to re-enrol, a re-enrolment fee of 25% of the standard course fee will apply if requested within 3 months of initial cancellation. If re-enrolment is requested within 4 – 12 months of initial cancellation, 50% of the standard course fee will apply.

1. You will receive your certificate from Asset College by email within 2 weeks of completing your course.

2. You will then be required to submit an online application for appointment.

You will need to provide:

• Your statement of attainment from the CDec course
• Written character references (PDF, 102KB) from 2 suitable referees
• Proof of Australian citizenship (if you were born overseas).

3. Your application will also be automatically sent to your State Member of Parliament (MP) for nomination of your appointment. Your MP may contact you to arrange an interview before your nomination.

4. When your MP tells the Department of Justice and Attorney-General that they nominate you for appointment, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General will assess your application against the relevant sections of the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991and the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Regulation 2017.

The assessment process can take approximately 3 months.

5. If there are any issues with your application, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General will let you know. Otherwise, they will write to you to let you know your application is approved.

6. You will then need to take an Oath or Affirmation of Office and pay a registration fee before you can begin your duties as a JP or CDec at your local Magistrates Court.

You must apply to become a JP or Cdec within 2 years of successfully completing your training.