Check out the latest public sector networking and education events. Photo: File.
SES Orientation Program
Date: 18 February – 13 March
Time: 10:30 am – 4:15 pm
Duration: One two-day workshop (18-19 February) and one three-day workshop (11-13 March)
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Overview
Establishing the essential skills, partnerships and networks required for effective SES leadership.
Working at the SES level will be a little different from what you’re used to if you’re being promoted from an EL2, or if you were working outside of the APS and are newly appointed to an SES position (Band 1 to Band 3). That’s why the APS Academy designed the SES Orientation program.
The SES Orientation program enables SES employees to step up to the higher strategic accountabilities of the role, step out to take a broader systems view and engage more effectively with a diverse stakeholder group, and ‘’step forward’’ to develop more capable teams.
The program will support a new SES recruit to take up the leadership (stewardship) and management (accountability) dimensions of their role, establishing the essential skills, partnerships and networks required for effective SES leadership.
The APS Academy has provided the course content. The training is suitable for SES Band 1-3. Long-term acting EL2s (> six months) will be considered.
Procurement in Practice
Date: 18 February
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Duration: Three-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – Department of Finance
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This is a hands-on practical course. Participants use case studies and scenario-based simulations to plan and conduct procurement from phases one to three of the program lifecycle.
This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance. Training is for all staff. It is suitable for officials who are new to procurement, may need a refresher, or who want to move to a role in this field. It will benefit officials working in procurement on an ad hoc basis, regular procurers, and delegates.
Contract Management in Practice
Date: 18 February
Time: 1:30 pm – 4 pm
Duration: 2.5-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – Department of Finance
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course includes managing the resulting contract to deliver value-for-money outcomes. The content includes contract start-up, ongoing management and contract closure through to disposals, consistent with the project’s governance and assurance requirements.
Participants will use case studies and scenario-based simulations to make relevant decisions and judgments to manage a contract effectively.
The Department of Finance has provided this learning experience. Training is for all staff. It is suitable for all officials involved in the contracting process or who wish to refresh their skills.
The course will benefit managers with improved handling of the contract and supplier, delivering positive results for government.
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Date: 18 February
Time: 9 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Strategies, tools, and frameworks for effective communication in challenging situations.
- Identify and address barriers hindering difficult conversations
- Develop practical strategies for effective communication
- Enhance conflict resolution skills, define objectives, and stay solution-focused
- Craft a personal action plan to apply your new-found skills in various real-world scenarios.
Trainer Dr Karen Whittingham is one of Australia’s leading executive management development specialists. She has worked with thousands of executives to transition them into senior leadership roles quickly and effectively. She is an organisational psychologist passionate about people’s success and facilitating their careers to rise.
APS 5-6 High-Performance & Leadership Workshop
Date: 18 – 19 February
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Canberra
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Develop core leadership capabilities to achieve success and excel in APS 5-6 roles and beyond.
- Identify and develop your capabilities as a confident and successful public sector leader
- Build productive relationships and lead proficient, capable teams
- Drive strategic change to improve procedures and meet agency goals
- Explore career advancement opportunities within APS roles.
Trainer Liz Stephens is an experienced coach with an extensive career in the public service. Following her successful command tenure at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Liz established Ripple Impact, drawing on her experiences to help others be their best selves.
In her ‘’day job’’, Lieutenant Colonel Stephens is a facilitator, coach, and mentor at the Australian Command and Staff Course.
Women in Leadership Summit 2025
Date: 18 – 19 February
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Dockside Darling Harbour, Sydney
Email: [email protected]
This event is about the original trailblazers – women who paved the way. It will be held at multiple venues, in person and online. Be part of the most inspiring Women in Leadership Summit in Australia, which has been tailor-made to spur women to become remarkable leaders. Connect with, and learn from, an accomplished lineup of trailblazing women from across industries who are paving the way.
This summit promises to be an unmissable experience. It features five of the most inspiring women in their own right to grace the national and world stages, alongside an impressive lineup of senior executive women in leadership in Australia.
The highlight session is with Virgin Australia CEO and managing director Jayne Hrdlicka. Jayne was the first woman to become CEO of Virgin Australia, taking the helm of the airline during one of the biggest aviation challenges in recent history. The global pandemic offered a uniquely defining moment for Jayne to become a more efficient leader, adapt to uncertainty and learn to do things differently.
Other speakers include AFL executive general manager of football Laura Kane, Microsoft executive general manager Australia and New Zealand Jo Dooley, FlyBuys CEO Anna Lee, and Ernst & Young Oceania deputy chief executive officer Jenelle McMaster.
Taking place across seven Australian capital cities, this summit is the biggest ever organised by The Hatchery. It also features three of the most inspiring women in leadership to grace the national and world stages.
- The world’s youngest person to serve as a head of government, former NZ PM Dame Jacinda Ardern
- The first woman to serve as Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop
- Australia’s most decorated Olympian, six-time gold medallist Emma McKeon.
Immerse yourself in empowering stories and lived experiences, be guided by their practical advice, and engage in critical and timely topics that will resonate with women and all leaders. This summit is a unique opportunity to follow in these women’s footsteps and find the path to your own success.
Policy Officers Workshops
Date: 19 February – 13 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Multiple locations: Melbourne | 19 – 20 February
Sydney | 18 – 19 February
Brisbane | 4 – 5 March
Canberra | 12 – 13 March
Email: [email protected]
Join our two-day Policy Officers Workshops across Australia and take a hands-on approach to tackling complex policy problems. Delivered by expert leadership facilitators with years of experience, the workshops are designed to equip you with practical insights tailored to navigate the policy landscape effectively.
Overview
Essential skills for policy writing and development – a practical guide for effective governance.
- Determine the core structure and sequencing of policy documentation
- Tools to effectively communicate all stages of the policy process cross-functionally
- Gain a deep understanding of policy development, analysis models, and real-world challenges
- Create and implement proactive, robust policy development plans with effective monitoring and evaluation.
Trainer Alexandra O’Mara is a seasoned leader in sustainability, policy, and strategy. As a former deputy secretary in the NSW government, she led transformative shifts in environment, infrastructure, and renewable energy. With a master’s in administrative law and policy from the University of Sydney, Alex combines practical expertise with academic insight.
She currently drives change as the director and founder of Sustainable Solutions Advisory, a member of the UNSW Science Advisory Council, and a non-executive director at St George Community Housing.
Essential Writing for APS 5-6 Levels
Date: 19 February
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Duration: One seven-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Essential Writing for APS 5–6 Levels is designed for APS employees who produce documents involving analysis or evidence-based argument. It is aimed at APS levels 5-6, but is suitable for all APS and executive-level employees who need to improve their analytical writing.
The program focuses on briefs and minutes (internal documents with advice and recommendations) and non-routine correspondence (letters and emails).
This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy. The training is suitable for APS 5-6 and APS employees and executives who need to improve their analytical writing.
Strategic Leadership
Date: 19 – 27 February
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Duration: Four three-hour face-to-screen sessions
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Take an in-depth look at shaping strategy with a sense of purpose and direction, using information and opportunities, and showing judgment and common sense. Use environmental scanning and best-practice models and tools to help anticipate the consequences and trade-offs of actions.
This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy. The training is in a virtual environment suitable for EL 1 – EL 2.
Inside Look Webinar Series
Date: 3 March
Location: Online (via Teams)
Cost: Free, but bookings are essential
Kim Vella Coaching’s free Leadership Strategies Series will equip leaders with insights into leadership challenges and teach them how to close the ”gap” obstructing leaders.
In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world, public sector leaders face unique challenges that demand more than traditional leadership approaches. The Inside Look Webinar Series is a monthly opportunity to explore one key “gap” holding leaders back from thriving in their roles.
Each session focuses on a specific leadership challenge, offering insights into why it matters and how leaders can begin to close the gap.
Topics include:
The Wellbeing Gap: Balancing performance with sustainable leadership
The Confidence Gap: Leading with clarity, courage and conviction
The Collaboration Gap: Building partnerships that create meaningful change
The Expert to Orchestrator Gap: Transitioning from technical expert to leadership orchestrator.
Why join?
In each webinar, you will:
- Gain clarity on the leadership challenges unique to today’s VUCA environment
- Reflect on your own experiences and begin identifying ways to bridge the gap
- Connect with peers and explore insights that empower leadership growth.
The Inside Look Webinar Series is your chance to step into a community of reflective leaders and gain a taste of the transformative insights offered in the Leadership Strategies Series 2025.
