Join executive leadership coach Dr Kim Vella for workshops in the Leadership Strategies Series and become a confident, proactive leader. Photo: Supplied.
Leadership Strategies Series 2025: In-person
When: 6 – 7 May; 3 – 4 June; 17 – 18 June; 22 – 23 July
Where: East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston
Cost: Ticket prices vary. Find out more at Kim Vella Leadership
As a leader in the public service, do any of these points resonate with you?
- I feel overwhelmed all the time, like I’m spinning plates that could drop at any moment.
- I’m always under pressure with competing priorities, limited resources, and an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
- I’m worried the hard work I put in isn’t recognised.
- I walk into meetings and feel anxious about what to say.
- I don’t usually think about my wellbeing. I just want to make it through another week.
- I feel like I’m never enough, and don’t know what could change that.
If any of these do resonate with you, you’re not alone.
The skills every public sector leader needs to thrive in today’s environment are next level – yet they’re rarely taught. Instead, we rely on outdated leadership models that leave you feeling stressed, exhausted and helpless.
Join respected executive leadership coach Dr Kim Vella, with the support of esteemed industry professionals, for a new leadership skills pathway: the Leadership Strategies Series. This workshop series gives you access to more than 32 hours of in-person collaborative learning, including:
- Cutting-edge leadership strategies
- Coaching from PS experts and industry professionals
- Advanced psychometric tools
- Personalised assessments
- Individualised feedback
- Tailored action plans.
The Leadership Strategies Series is delivered in two stages: Essentials level and Enhanced level. Each level comprises two full-day workshops, with a six-week break in between to apply your new skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to join a facilitated peer mentoring session during this time to discuss challenges and insights.
Become the APS leader you can be – confident, balanced, insightful, and authentic – by levelling up your leadership skills with the Leadership Strategies Series.
Probity and Integrity in Procurement
Date: 7 May
Time: 9:30 am – noon
Duration: 2.5-hour face-to-face session
Location: Department of Finance, 1 Canberra Avenue, Forrest, ACT
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course outlines how government funds are under constant scrutiny and uses real examples to demonstrate instances of poor management and decision-making by APS in the Procurement Lifecycle. With investigations and audit findings consistently identifying probity issues, this course equips participants undertaking purchasing activities with a set of tools and techniques to manage probity.
This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance, and is suitable for all staff.
Procurement-connected Policies
Date: 8 May
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Duration: Two-hour face-to-face session
Location: Department of Finance, 1 Canberra Avenue, Forrest, ACT
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course provides APS officials with a basic understanding of procurement-connected policies (PCPs) and their use in the procurement lifecycle. It provides an overview of current PCPs referenced in paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10 of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) and their application for specific procurement activities.
This learning experience has been provided by Department of Finance, and is suitable for all staff.
CPR Exemptions and Conditions for Limited Tender
Date: 8 May
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Duration: Two-hour face-to-face session
Location: Department of Finance, 1 Canberra Avenue, Forrest, ACT
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) Divisions 1 and 2 are the rules APS officials must follow when procuring. Appendix A lists the exemptions from the rules of Division 2 and from rules 4.7, 4.8 and 7.26 of Division 1.
Limited tender involves approaching one or more potential suppliers directly and requesting they make submissions without having to comply with the process for open tenders. Rules for limited tender are stated in the CPRs and include circumstances where limited tender may be conducted.
This course provides APS officials with the information necessary for applying CPR Exemptions and Conditions for Limited Tender. This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance, and is suitable for all staff.
Public Sector Integrity & Governance Conference
Date: 6 – 7 May
Time: 9 am – 4:50 pm
Location: Canberra Rex Hotel & Online
Email: [email protected]
The inaugural Public Sector Integrity & Governance Conference is the premier event for public sector leaders and professionals committed to strengthening ethical governance, transparency, and accountability.
This timely conference addresses real-world challenges and provides actionable solutions to uphold public trust, foster a culture of integrity, and elevate ethical standards in today’s complex operating environment.
With a strong emphasis on practical insights, the program features compelling case studies, expert panel discussions, and a workshop. Led by distinguished leaders and experts, this conference will equip attendees with the tools and strategies needed to navigate complexity and build a resilient, values-driven public service.
Speakers include:
- Chief Operating Officer, Australian Taxation Office, Jacquie Curtis
- Commonwealth Ombudsman Iain Anderson
- Assistant Commissioner of the Integrity, Performance and Employment Policy Branch, Australian Public Service Commission, Kylie Barber
- Deputy Secretary for Regional, Cities, and Territories, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, David Mackay
- Deputy Commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Kylie Kilgour
- Deputy CEO, National Disability Insurance Agency, Corri McKenzie
- Director of Police Policy and Strategy, Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria, Catherine Roberts
- Senior Corruption Prevention Officer, NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (NSW ICAC), Stephen Wood.
Ending Coercive Control, Family & Domestic Violence Conference
Date: 7 – 8 May
Time: 9 am – 5:05 pm
Location: Tarntanya | Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide
Email: [email protected]
This conference focuses on shaping systems and driving change to keep women and children safe through integrated, culturally responsive approaches to end family and domestic violence.
On average, one woman is killed by an intimate partner every 11 days. Alarmingly, coercive control is a precursor in 97 per cent of domestic violence homicides, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
So far, Queensland and NSW are the only states to have criminalised coercive control. South Australia has also committed to this, and has launched a Royal Commission into Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence, signalling growing recognition and action on this insidious issue.
This conference provides a crucial forum for changemakers to collaborate and drive bold, transformative solutions. Together, we’ll focus on understanding the systemic shifts in coercive control and family violence, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and evolving risk assessments from incident-based to holistic approaches.
Connect with peers from frontline services, government, peak bodies, legal sectors, academia and beyond to explore the criminalisation of coercive control, integrated system responses, and effective practice and models for crisis intervention and recovery.
Speakers include:
- Chief Operating Officer, Women’s Safety Services SA, Jodie Sloan
- Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, SA Government, Katrine Hildyard
- CEO, COTA SA, Miranda Starke
- Chief Executive Officer, Shine SA, Holley Skene
- Senior Project Officer, Women with Disabilities Australia, Sarah Smallman.
The 2nd First Nations Women in Leadership Summit
Date: 7 – 8 May
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Meanjin | Voco Brisbane
Email: [email protected]
Join an event that celebrates the knowledge, strengths and voice of First Nations women. The 2nd First Nations Women in Leadership Summit held in Meanjin/Brisbane is an opportunity to gather among a community of First Nations women and be inspired by the shared stories of cultural knowledge, wisdom and strength.
Through storytelling, reflection and connection, this summit honours and celebrates the vital role First Nations women hold as carers, teachers, healers and leaders in their workplaces, families and communities. The forum serves as a vulnerable and safe space for women to come together, share and learn from one another.
Note: The use of the term “women” across the summit is inclusive of all First Nations women who identify as women, including cisgender and transgender women. We acknowledge the under-representation of gender-diverse and non-binary people in leadership, which is also a result of gender inequality.
Influence, Negotiation and Persuasion for APS Levels
Date: 12 May
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Duration: One seven-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Explore ways to improve your influence, with a five-step model of negotiation and the psychology behind persuasion. Learn how to use Whole Brain Thinking to improve your influence, negotiation and persuasion. Build your practical knowledge and experience through discussion and participation.
This content has been provided by the APS Academy, and is suitable for APS 3 – APS 6.
Leadership Strategies Series 2025: Online
When: 13 – 14 May; 24 – 25 June; 29 – 30 July; 9 – 10 September
Where: Online (via Teams)
Cost: Ticket prices vary. Find out more at Kim Vella Leadership
As a leader in the public service, do any of these resonate with you?
- I feel overwhelmed all the time, like I’m spinning plates that could drop at any moment.
- I’m always under pressure with competing priorities, limited resources, and an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
- I’m worried the hard work I put in isn’t recognised.
- I walk into meetings and feel anxious about what to say.
- I don’t usually think about my wellbeing. I just want to make it through another week.
- I feel like I’m never enough, and don’t know what could change that.
If any of these do resonate with you, you’re not alone.
The skills every public sector leader needs to thrive in today’s environment are next level – yet they’re rarely taught. Instead, we rely on outdated leadership models that will leave you feeling stressed, exhausted and helpless.
Join respected executive leadership coach Dr Kim Vella, with the support of esteemed industry professionals, for a new leadership skills pathway: the Leadership Strategies Series.
