Certificate IV in Human Resource Management (BSB40420)

Nationally recognised HR training, contextualised to your workplace.

McMillan Staff Development delivers the Certificate IV in Human Resource Management (BSB40420) as a closed cohort for workgroups in Canberra and online. Every program is built around the actual HR work your team does — recruitment and onboarding, performance support, workplace relations, WHS, and payroll — so assessment evidence comes from real workplace practice.

RTO 88187 · Nationally recognised · ACT User Choice funded delivery available

Request a workgroup quote

Why contextualised HR training works

When an HR team learns together — and the assessment evidence comes from recruitment they actually run, onboarding they actually deliver, and workplace issues they actually resolve — the qualification becomes the by-product of doing better HR work.

That’s the offer. Nationally recognised training, delivered to your HR support team, built around your organisation’s actual work. Participants finish with a Certificate IV, and the workplace ends up with stronger HR processes, more consistent practice, and measurable improvement in how HR support is delivered.

For public sector teams, we deliver related qualifications through the Certificate IV in Government (PSP40122).

How we deliver it

Typical duration: 10–12 months. Timetables are set with the employer group before enrolment.

Closed-cohort delivery

Your team only, no mixed public groups

Contextualised content

Case studies, examples, and assessment tasks drawn from your workplace

Delivered by an experienced HR practitioner

Trainers and assessors with extensive HR management experience across government, and private sector

Flexible format

Live online workshops via MS Teams, face-to-face in Canberra, or a blend

Workplace practice

Participants apply learning immediately to real HR tasks and processes

Nationally recognised on completion

Issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework

Why McMillan

  • Registered since 2009 — 15+ years delivering nationally recognised qualifications
  • 5,000+ students trained — across public and private sector workplaces
  • Trusted by public and private sector employers — including Commonwealth agencies, ACT Government departments, and private sector organisations — see the range of organisations we’ve worked with
  • Every program contextualised — no off-the-shelf delivery
  • Owner-operator RTO — the person you talk to is accountable for delivery
  • Canberra-based with national reach — face-to-face in the ACT, live online anywhere

What your team will be able to do

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

  • Coordinate recruitment and onboarding — advertising, screening, interviewing, and induction processes
  • Administer performance development processes — supporting managers to run performance conversations and development plans
  • Support employee and industrial relations — grievances, disciplinary processes, workplace policies, and awards or enterprise agreements
  • Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
  • Support core HR functions and processes — including HR information systems and payroll
  • Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs
  • Communicate effectively across HR situations — presentations, meetings, and stakeholder relationships
  • Work effectively with diversity and inclusion in the workplace

These outcomes are aligned with the 12 units of competency in BSB40420 (see the full list below).

Delivery and pricing

If you’re an ACT-based private sector employer, your team may be eligible for training funded under the ACT Government’s User Choice program (administered by Skills Canberra).

    • $1,500 per participant (student contribution)
    • Rest of the cost covered by ACT Government funding
    • Requires a signed training contract between you (as employer), each participant, and McMillan
    • Available for eligible ACT-based private sector workers only (APS and Commonwealth agencies are not eligible)

Where a participant pays personally, McMillan does not require more than $1,500 up front. Without funding, the full fee is $4,950 per participant. Payment schedules are provided in writing before enrolment.

Eligibility must be confirmed before enrolment — check funded eligibility for ACT workers →

Request a workgroup quote

Frequently asked questions

Workgroup delivery is quoted per engagement based on group size, delivery mix, and contextualisation. Quotes include all training, assessment, coaching, materials, and certification. Request a quote for a scoped price for your team.

For ACT private sector employers whose teams are eligible for funded delivery, the participant contribution is $1,500 each (student contribution). Without funding, the full fee is $4,950 per participant.

Typical workgroup programs run over 10–12 months, with workshops scheduled at a cadence agreed with the employer group. Duration can be adjusted based on the group’s pace and workplace demands. RPL can shorten timeframes significantly for experienced HR practitioners.

As a guide, participants should allow around 7.5 hours per week over 12 months to progress steadily through the program. Actual workload varies depending on existing HR experience, work role, assessment evidence, and support needs.

Yes — this is how we deliver the qualification. Employer-funded workgroup delivery is quoted per engagement and invoiced to the employer. For eligible ACT private sector employers, User Choice funding can significantly reduce the training fee — check funded eligibility.

Both are delivered as closed-cohort programs to your team, contextualised to your workplace.

  • Self-funded delivery is invoiced directly to the employer at the fee-for-service rate.
  • ACT-funded delivery is available for eligible ACT private sector employers under the User Choice program — this involves signed training contracts for each participant, with ACT Government funding covering most of the cost.

Either way, McMillan delivers the training to your team as a group.

BSB40420 is pitched at people working in, or moving into, HR support roles — HR officers, HR coordinators, HR assistants, payroll officers, administration and team coordinators with HR responsibilities, and specialists moving into HR from an adjacent function.

Participants need to be operating in a role with genuine access to HR tasks and workplace evidence — recruitment, onboarding, performance support, workplace relations, WHS, or payroll.

No prior formal qualifications are required. Participants should have workplace-appropriate reading, writing, and numeracy skills. LLN (language, literacy and numeracy) screening is completed at enrolment.

Participants also need access to real HR tasks and a workplace contact who can verify evidence for assessment.

For funded workgroups (ACT User Choice), additional eligibility rules apply to each participant — check funded eligibility for ACT workers.

Participants need:

  • A computer with reliable internet
  • A webcam and microphone for online workshops
  • Access to a workplace where they can apply learning and generate HR-specific assessment evidence

No other equipment, software, or materials are required at the participant’s cost.

Assessments emphasise practical application to real HR work. Methods include:

  • Workbooks and knowledge checks
  • Workplace projects and HR documents produced in role
  • Case studies and presentations
  • Third-party reports verified by an employer workplace contact

To successfully complete BSB40420, participants must demonstrate competence in all 12 units.

McMillan provides an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Participants can expect:

  • Trainer support within two business days via the LMS
  • Technical and study assistance
  • Reasonable adjustments for disability, health, or personal circumstances
  • Culturally safe learning and support for First Nations participants

Yes. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows existing HR experience and knowledge to be assessed against qualification requirements, reducing study load. This is particularly relevant for experienced HR practitioners who have developed competencies in individual units through their work.

Credit Transfer applies equivalent units completed with another RTO toward this qualification. RPL potential is assessed as part of the initial quote.

Face-to-face workshops are delivered in Canberra. Live online workshops via MS Teams are available Australia-wide. Most programs use a blend.

Yes. BSB40420 Certificate IV in Human Resource Management is a nationally recognised qualification issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework. McMillan is a registered training organisation (RTO 88187), listed on the National Register at training.gov.au.

Get course details, pricing, and eligibility

Tell us a bit about your team and we'll respond within one business day with course details, pricing, and funding eligibility where it applies. No obligation.

Units of competency

BSB40420 comprises 12 units of competency — 6 core and 6 electives.

Core units

  • BSBHRM411 Administer performance development processes
  • BSBHRM412 Support employee and industrial relations
  • BSBHRM413 Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
  • BSBHRM415 Coordinate recruitment and onboarding
  • BSBHRM417 Support human resources functions and processes
  • BSBWHS411 Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs

Elective units

  • BSBHRM414 Use human resources information systems
  • BSBHRM416 Process payroll
  • BSBCMM411 Make presentations
  • BSBOPS405 Organise business meetings
  • BSBTWK401 Build and maintain business relationships
  • PSPGEN114 Work effectively with diversity and inclusion

Other qualifications we deliver

Not sure BSB40420 is the right fit? Here are three other nationally recognised programs we deliver to workgroups. If none of them fit, contact us — we’ll help you scope the right qualification for your team.

Certificate IV in Leadership and Management (BSB40520)

Emerging leaders and team leaders

View Course Details

Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420)

Managers leading teams and operations

View Course Details

Diploma of Government (PSP50122)

APS4+ officers stepping into leadership

View Course Details

Student information

McMillan Staff Development is committed to a supportive, transparent learning experience. Every student receives clear information before enrolment about fees, delivery, assessment, support services, and their rights and responsibilities. Reasonable adjustments are made for disability, health, or personal circumstances, and culturally safe support is available for First Nations participants.

Full details on assessment methods, learner support, RPL and credit transfer, refunds and withdrawal, complaints and appeals, and privacy are set out in our current Participant Handbook.

Download the Participant Handbook
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