Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Finance for the Australian Public Sector
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Finance for the Australian Public Sector
We are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2021-22 delivery of the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Finance for the Australian Public Sector program delivered by the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis (IGPA) at the University of Canberra. The program is available to APS employees at EL1, EL2 and SES Band 1 levels, as well as Policy Officers at APS 6. It is designed for future APS leaders and is aimed at developing the management and policy skills needed to meet the governance challenges of the 21st century. In particular, it provides participants with the skills, strategies and tools to develop the highest quality policy proposals.
The program, which is set for its sixth delivery since 2016, was co-designed by IGPA, the Department of Finance, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Treasury, and the Department of Education and Training. Its first five deliveries have included 200 participants from 22 Commonwealth agencies. Teaching staff on the program are drawn from IGPA’s world-leading academic staff, as well as current and former practitioners from the APS and beyond.
Please follow the link to the program brochure for further information on course content.
Participant Entry Requirements
The Graduate Certificate is open to current APS employees at SES Band 1, EL1, and EL2 levels (or equivalent), as well as to Policy Officers at APS 6. As the course is an accredited Graduate Certificate, participants require either a bachelor’s degree, or proof of sufficient work experience (see table below).
Please ensure that you have your academic transcript available.
If you are using work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, you will need a transcript of your other highest qualification and a statement from your employer indicating your length of employment and the nature of your work experience.
Work Experience for Postgraduate Entry
| Qualification | Length of work experience | Nature of work experience |
| Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree # | 4 years | Managerial, professional, paraprofessional or clerical role |
| Diploma # | 8 years | Managerial, professional, paraprofessional or clerical role |
| Year 12 or Certificate IV # | 10 years | Managerial, professional, paraprofessional or clerical role |
# Or equivalent qualification
Program dates
| UNIT 1 | UNIT 2 | UNIT 3 | UNIT 4 |
| 9 August 2021 | 13 Oct 2021 | TBD (March/April 2022) | TBD (May/June 2022) |
| 10 August 2021 | 14 Oct 2021 | ||
| 11 August 2021 | 15 Oct 2021 | ||
| 12 August 2021 | 3 Nov 2021 | ||
| 13 August 2021 | 4 Nov 2021 | ||
| 16 August 2021* | 5 Nov 2021 |
Classes run from 9am-5pm on these dates, and will be held as face-to-face sessions (unless Government health advice changes), typically on University of Canberra campus.
Dates for Units 3 and 4 will be determined after the 2022 Parliamentary Calendar is released.
Nomination cut-off date:
Friday, 2 July 2021
Often, agencies’ Learning and Development areas prefer to co-ordinate nominations. Otherwise, please send your nominations to GradCert | at | canberra.edu.au providing the following information:
- Name
- DOB
- Agency
- Position
- E-mail Address
- Telephone Number
- Previous Study/Work Experience
Once nominations are received, we will contact each participant and provide a step-by-step guide on how to enrol into the program. Please note that places are limited.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the program content or nomination and admissions processes please get in touch with Education Program Director, Dr Brendan McCaffrie at Brendan.McCaffrie | at | canberra.edu.au.
