Graduate Certificate in Policy Leadership

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Policy Leadership, you must complete the four courses listed below:

• Adaptive Leadership
• Governance in Policy Systems
• The Business of Managing Projects
• Assessing Data for Evidence-based Policy

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To gain entry into the Graduate Certificate of Policy Leadership, an applicant must meet one of the following entry requirements:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree with honours in the same or a related discipline* from a recognised institution.
• Completion of a graduate diploma or graduate certificate in the same or a related discipline from a recognised institution.
• Completion of a bachelor's degree in the same or a related discipline from a recognised institution and completion of at least three years of relevant full-time professional experience.
• Completion of a bachelor's degree in a non-related discipline and completion of at least four years of relevant full-time professional experience.

*Related discipline/s: Public policy, political science, management, IT and business.

English language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. Contact the university for further information. If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application.

You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses.
• Prior study in the medium of English.
• Other qualifications.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

This course teaches skills that help prepare participants for a range of public sector roles including roles in:

• Policy analysis and advice
• Program and project management
• Implementation
• Evaluation
• Service delivery
• Regulation
• Communications
• And many others that are directly or indirectly policy-related

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate foundational skills and understanding of the current and future state of public policy systems.
• Possess a comprehensive, historically aware and globally informed understanding of the field of public policy and systems governance.
• Analyse and apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to policy leadership and stewardship in complex, multi-layer, policy systems.
• Assess the business and leadership aspects of the current and future state of public policy.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences to drive change, foster culture, and lead in large public sector organisations, demonstrating independent and collaborative inquiry skills.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year full fee (2025):$19,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than one Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit per year).

A student’s annual fee 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.

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

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.