Overview
Building strong policy judgement.
Developing Policy Acumen supports public sector professionals to strengthen their understanding of policy development, advice and implementation. The program focuses on how policy is shaped in practice, the role of evidence and judgement, and how policy professionals can work effectively with ministers, stakeholders and delivery systems.
Strengthen policy capability
Improve policy advice
Navigate complex policy contexts
What Participants Say
Insights from participants across the region.
Participants from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand share how the Developing Policy Acumen Program has shaped their public service journey.
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
Key People
Faculty & Presenters
Dr Zareh Ghazarian – widely published researcher and political and policy commentator, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University and author.
Who It's For
From knowledge to action - we make it stick.
This program is designed for public sector professionals working in policy roles who want to strengthen their capability to develop, advise on and implement public policy.
Policy in practice
Strengthen your policy role.
Developing Policy Acumen provides space to step back from day-to-day demands and examine how policy works in practice. Through discussion, frameworks and shared experience, participants strengthen policy judgement, improve advice and better understand how policy connects to delivery and outcomes.
Program highlights
Program Structure
Learning that shapes better government.
Program Format
TBC
Learning sessions
TBC
Peer engagement
Learning is centred on facilitated discussion and shared experience among policy practitioners.
Program duration
TBC
Learning Approach
Trusted learning. Practical insights. Public value.
Peer learning
Engage with peers to explore diverse policy perspectives and approaches.
Facilitated dialogue
Facilitators guide discussion focused on real policy challenges and practice.
Reflective practice
Reflection supports deeper insight into policy roles, judgement and decision-making.
Contextual application
Learning is grounded in participants’ own policy contexts and organisational environments
How to Apply
Ready to join the program?
5th March 2026
10.00am – 4.30pm AEDT
2nd June 2026
10.00am – 4.30pm AEDT
6th August 2026
10.00am – 4.30pm AEDT
28th October 2026
10.00am – 4.30pm AEDT