Facilitator Paul Dykes will offer therapist techniques for stronger conversations at an online event, Practical Leadership Skills That Build Trust, on 30 September. Photo: Supplied.
Generative AI Skills for Government Masterclass
Date: 28 — 29 September
Time: 9:30 am — 12:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Generative AI is reshaping how government works — but being AI-ready means more than awareness. Most public sector professionals have had little structured guidance on how to use it confidently, safely and effectively.
This practical masterclass is designed for government professionals who want to move beyond awareness and build genuine capability, regardless of the generative AI platform you use. Delivered by an expert facilitator across two focused half-days, it covers how generative AI works, how to use it well through effective prompting, and — critically — where it falls short and what that means for responsible use in a government context. Participants then apply what they have learned directly in the tools they already use every day: Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
This masterclass is grounded in the realities of public sector work, including the governance obligations, accountability expectations and risk considerations that matter in government. Participants leave with skills they can apply immediately, judgment they can rely on, and confidence to engage with AI as a genuine tool for better, faster, more effective work.
QLD Public Sector AO 5-6 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Date: 29 — 30 September
Time: 9 am — 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Adopt practical, outcome-driven models for critical thinking and problem solving.
- Unpack critical thinking as a mental process and set of action steps to address everyday problems,
- Use a structured systems thinking approach to analysing problems and designing solutions.
- Leverage the skills of creative and lateral thinking in complex problem solving.
- Overcome common roadblocks to critical thinking and problem solving.
Dr Kym Davis brings a deep understanding of complex systems and the people who drive them. With a professional doctorate in employee engagement and extensive experience in teaching, consulting and coaching, she translates research into practical insights that help teams think critically and solve problems.
Throughout her career, Dr Davis, who has worked in the public and private sectors, has demonstrated a commitment to cultivating effective teams, optimising processes and achieving organisational goals. Her approach blends leadership, strategy and development, creating learning experiences that make a real difference.
Practical Leadership Skills That Build Trust
Date: 30 September
Time: 10 am — noon
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Learn practical therapist skills for stronger conversations, deeper trust and better leadership. Great leadership is built in everyday conversations, but what happens when the discussion becomes difficult? This practical, interactive seminar introduces leaders to simple counselling-informed skills that help people feel heard, understood and respected.
Drawing on the core skills therapists use every day, facilitator Paul Dykes will explore how active listening, empathy, congruence, attunement and vulnerability can strengthen trust, improve difficult conversations and create workplaces that are more human. Participants will leave with practical tools they can use immediately with staff, clients and stakeholders.
Paul is a Canberra-based counsellor, executive coach and educator. With a master’s degree in counselling and more than 20 years’ experience in marketing, stakeholder engagement and relationship-based work, he brings a rare combination of therapeutic insight and practical workplace experience. He teaches counselling skills at university level and works with individuals, couples and organisations to strengthen communication, trust and emotional connection.
Lunch and Learn — An introduction to Multi-agent Systems
Date: 30 September
Time: 12:30 pm — 1:30 pm
Duration: One one-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Generative and agentic systems have emerged as key tools for meaningful productivity gains across a wide range of application areas, including within government. As the uses for these tools increase in complexity, developing a single agent that has all the required capabilities becomes more difficult.
Multi-agent systems are one way of managing this complexity. In this session, we will outline what a multi-agent system is, when to use it and how to determine the most appropriate way of doing so.
The presenter is Dr Nathan Brewer, who has been an AI leader in the engineering practice at Deloitte Australia. Nathan specialises in applying AI and machine learning techniques within public sector organisations, with a keen focus on identifying opportunities for AI to provide real value.
VIC Public Sector Women in Leadership Masterclass
Date: 6 — 7 October
Time: All day
Location: Melbourne
Email: [email protected]
Take charge of the next phase of your career. You are already doing the work. Now it is time to lead on your own terms. The VIC Public Sector Women in Leadership Masterclass gives senior women in the public sector the tools, frameworks and confidence to step up with authority. You will define your leadership identity, sharpen your personal brand, build the communication skills to influence at every level, and leave with a concrete leadership impact plan you can act on immediately.
Facilitated by Alex O’Mara, former deputy secretary in the NSW Public Service with more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across government, this is not a theoretical program. Every session connects directly to the realities of leading in a complex, high-accountability public sector environment.
EL2 — SES Leadership, Capability & Professional Excellence Masterclass
Date: 7 — 8 October
Time: All day
Location: Canberra
Email: [email protected]
Learn how to lead at the top of your game, with tips from the top of the public sector. The more you climb the leadership ranks of the public sector, the more is demanded from your leadership. You will acquire more responsibility, have more difficult and complex problems to solve, and you will need to understand the distinctions between your own ideas and the role’s demands.
At this critical stage in your leadership journey, you need the skills and advice of someone who has been there. Having led at the highest levels of the APS, including as deputy CEO and COO of the large agency Services Australia during its most challenging times, Russell Egan knows exactly what it takes from you, your mindset and your skillset to lead in the public sector environment.
With an emphasis on capability, confidence and clarity, and a valuable blend of ideas, advice and practical tips, this learning and development opportunity cannot be missed. Join Russell for two full days of learning and interactive activities to gain the perspective you need to lead at the top.
QLD Public Sector AO 5-6 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Date: 7 — 8 October
Time: 9 am — 4:30 pm
Location: Cliftons Brisbane
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Learn practical, outcome-driven models for critical thinking and problem solving.
- Unpack critical thinking as a mental process and set of action steps to address everyday problems.
- Use a structured systems thinking approach to analysing problems and designing solutions.
- Leverage the skills of creative and lateral thinking in complex problem solving.
- Overcome common roadblocks to critical thinking and problem solving.
Trainer Michael Collins is a leadership and change expert with more than 25 years of experience in roles across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. As a trusted adviser, thought leader and seasoned practitioner in leadership assessment and development, Michael combines practical experience with academic insight.
WA Women in Leadership Workshop
Date: 7 — 8 October
Time: 9 am — 4:30 pm
Location: Cliftons Perth
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Enhance your effectiveness as a leader in an evolving professional landscape.
- Develop your individual leadership style.
- Build confidence to lead authentically and effectively.
- Learn the art of confident communication.
- Strengthen your ability to influence.
Trainer Natalie Lincolne is the founder and principal coach of Incredible People, a leadership coaching and development consultancy dedicated to helping leaders and teams perform at their best.
Over the past 20 years, she has worked with more than 1000 leaders across the corporate, government and small-business sectors, helping them build capability, enhance engagement, and create high-performing workplaces. Drawing on senior management experience and extensive work across local, state and federal government, Natalie brings practical insights to real-world leadership challenges.
Advanced AI Prompting
Date: Until 14 October
Time: 2 pm — 3:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Design smarter AI interactions that challenge assumptions and deliver better outputs. Microsoft-certified trainer and AI specialist Jagmohan (Jagg) Singh has more than 18 years of global experience helping organisations adopt emerging technologies to improve productivity and performance.
With expertise across Microsoft Copilot, Generative AI, Microsoft 365, Teams, Power BI and digital workplace solutions, Jagg transforms complex technology into practical tools professionals can use every day. Having trained more than 57,000 professionals across India and Australia, he designs engaging learning experiences that build AI confidence, streamline workflows and support smarter decision-making.
Regulatory Reform in Practice Summit 2026
Date: 1 — 3 December
Time: 9:30 am — 4:30 pm
Location: Canberra & Virtual
Email: [email protected]
Register now and save up to $800 before 25 September
New frameworks, new obligations and new agencies are landing across every jurisdiction. But for regulatory leaders, the challenge is not just to understand reform; it’s also to implement it well while keeping the day-to-day running.
The Regulatory Reform in Practice Summit 2026 is Australia’s dedicated forum for regulators to share what works. Across two days of case studies, panel discussions and interactive roundtables, you’ll gain the practical tools and peer insights you need to:
- Turn reform intent into implementation that holds up under scrutiny.
- Regulate ahead of the evidence when emerging risks won’t wait for the data.
- Bring your workforce, co-regulators and regulated community along through change.
- Apply AI and data capability to evaluation without adding new risks.
- Prove your reform is delivering what was promised, beyond activity counts.
Speakers include:
- Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Foundations, Australian Government Department of Finance, Kelly Wood
- Chief Executive, Ministry for Regulation (NZ), Grainne Moss
- Deputy Chair, Productivity Commission, Professor Alex Robson
- Commissioner, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Liz Hefren-Webb
- Chief Executive Officer, National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), John Bradley
- Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner, Queensland Building and Construction Commission, Angelo Lambrinos
- Deputy Commissioner — Payday Super Program, Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Emma Rosenzweig
- Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner, Building and Plumbing Commission, Anna Cronin.
