Developing Policy Acumen
Overview
Building strong policy judgement.
When you’re new to government, new to policy work, or expected to contribute to policy advice without a deep policy background, it can be difficult to understand how the policy system works in practice. You may understand your own role but still be uncertain about how ideas become policy, who influences decisions, what ministers need and how to contribute with confidence.
Part of ANZSOG's Professional Learning Series, Developing Policy Acumen helps you build the foundational knowledge, language and judgement needed to work more effectively in policy-driven environments. In this interactive one-day workshop, you’ll explore how policy moves through government, how public servants support ministerial and Cabinet decision-making, and how contemporary approaches such as public value, co-design, human-centred design and behavioural approaches can strengthen policy work.
The program focuses on practical application, helping you move from uncertainty about policy processes to more confident participation in policy conversations, development, review and evaluation. You’ll leave with a stronger understanding of the people, structures and influences that shape policy outcomes, and practical frameworks that you can apply in your role immediately.
The program will enable you to:
Contribute more confidently to policy conversations and decision-making.
Navigate the people, relationships and influences that shape policy outcomes.
Select appropriate approaches for complex policy challenges.
Apply practical frameworks to policy development, review and evaluation.
For organisations, Developing Policy Acumen offers a targeted, cost-effective investment in strengthening foundational policy capability. Both high-impact and accessible, it builds role readiness and supports more confident policy development, review and decision-making in alignment with public sector capability frameworks, helping learners create a strong foundation for sustained capability growth across agencies or departments.
Who It's For
Enhance your effectiveness in complex policy environments.
This program is designed for professionals who are new to government, new to policy work, or looking to strengthen their understanding of public policy fundamentals.
It is particularly relevant if you work in:
Policy roles
Advisory roles
Analyst positions
General management or leadership roles
Adjacent sectors such as local government and not-for-profit organisations
Learning Outcomes
Learning that shapes better government. Meaning better outcomes for all.
Developing Policy Acumen is designed to build the foundational knowledge, judgement and confidence needed to work effectively in policy-driven environments. At the end of the program, you'll have greater confidence in understanding policy processes, contributing to policy conversations and applying policy thinking in your day-to-day work.
Understand how government works and how policy decisions are made, from public service processes through to ministerial and Cabinet decision-making.
Learn key public policy concepts and contemporary approaches, including public value, co-design and behavioural approaches.
Build confidence in navigating the policy environment by understanding the roles and influences that shape policy development.
Develop foundational skills in strategic policy thinking and policy evaluation.
Apply new policy concepts, language and frameworks to contribute more effectively to policy conversations and processes.
Learning Experience
Learning designed for balance, focus and connection.
Learn through real-world policy challenges
Explore contemporary policy concepts, frameworks and approaches through practical examples and case discussions that connect directly to the realities of government and public sector work.
Focused learning with immediate impact
Delivered as a live online workshop, the program provides a concentrated capability uplift in a single day, helping you quickly build confidence and understanding in key policy concepts and processes.
Interactive, applied and fully supported
Led by expert faculty, you'll engage in facilitated discussion, practical activities and collaborative learning that bring policy concepts to life and support immediate application in your role.
Learn alongside peers from across the public sector
Exchange ideas and perspectives with professionals from different agencies, jurisdictions and backgrounds, enriching your understanding of policy-making in diverse contexts.
Build capability you can use immediately
Leave with a stronger understanding of government, policy development, ministerial environments, contemporary policy approaches and evaluation, helping you contribute more effectively to policy conversations and processes.
Learning Approach
Grounded in expertise, built for performance.
Topics Covered
Key People
Faculty & Presenters.
Success Stories
What participants say.
It was really useful to learn the frameworks to explain and understand things I have observed in my policy role and fill in the gaps in areas I haven't yet experienced.Developing Policy AcumenParticipant
For Organisations
Upgrade your organisation's policy capability.
How to Register
Ready to join the program?
October 2026
Wednesday 28 October | 10:00am - 4:30pm AEDT | 1 x 6.5 hr Session