Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Finance

What you will study

To complete the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Finance, students must complete 12 credit points from the following units. Each unit is valued at three credit points.

Required

Students must pass 12 credit points as follows:

• Managing Government Finance
• Public Policy
• Economic Policy Analysis
• Leading and Managing

Entry Requirements

Admission to this course is restricted to applicants who have been selected and approved by their Government agency.

Applicants must have a degree or equivalent as approved by the University's Admissions Committee and be currently employed in an Australian Commonwealth, State, or Territory Government Department or hold two or more years of relevant work experience.

Assumed Knowledge

Essential knowledge: A good working knowledge of the public sector; commitment and the ability to contribute to class learning, to learn from others and to share learning in the workplace; strong commitment to career development and capacity to complete a rigorous program of study. Desirable but not essential knowledge would include some familiarity with fundamental theories and concepts underpinning effective public policy development, a good feel for the difficulties of delivering results in government and experience in applying theory and analysing data to solve real-world public policy problems.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

• An advanced understanding of the machinery of Australian budgeting and financial governance.
• The ability to bring a strategic perspective to all policy program design work.
• A critical understanding of the main policy debates within public and economic policy-making in Australia and in comparable and other Westminster-style democracies.
• A broad understanding of different models of policy analysis and advising, and their usefulness for policy and management practice.
• A critical understanding of the central concepts relating to financial management, governance and public policy.
• The ability to affect sustainable Commonwealth policy.
• Ability to design, model and craft policy options for simple issues.
• Undertake primary research both within a collaborative team based framework and independently.
• Understanding of how the international political environment affects organisational objectives.
• Written and verbal communication skills to engage in informed debates of public sector issues.

Fees and CSP

Average full-course fee in 2026: From $8,696 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

The average full-course fee is calculated based on a full-time study load of 12 credit points (four units).

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per the unit you're enrolled in.
• Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.