Australia’s public services are being asked to deliver more, faster, and with fewer resources than ever before. The pressures are mounting, public trust is fragile, and the complexity of the problems facing governments is accelerating.
In this moment, capability isn’t a “nice to have” - it’s the difference between systems that cope and systems that crumble.
ANZSOG is sharpening its focus to meet this reality: helping public servants build the capability, confidence and connectedness needed to deliver for communities in an increasingly complex world.
Improving this capability is vital, not just to improve what the public service does now, but to rebuild the public trust in government that will be necessary to develop solutions to our longer-term challenges.
We have always supported public servants to navigate complexity. But the needs of the sector have changed and so have we, shifting our emphasis and ethos from a traditional school of government to a modern, connected learning partner for a sector in transformation.
I meet with many senior public servants, and they always leave me impressed with their knowledge, resilience, and commitment to serving with purpose. We are not just aiming to meet the current needs of public services, but to use our networks, knowledge and connections to anticipate future needs and drive the important conversations about what the public service needs to change.
Why we’ve changed
Public services are asking for something different: more flexible learning, stronger digital capability, and support for leadership at all levels, not just at the top.
We’ve heard consistently that:
Capability gaps are widening, especially in emerging areas such as data, technology and ethical decision‑making.
Middle managers carry growing responsibilities with limited access to structured development.
Public servants want learning that fits real jobs and real time pressures.
ANZSOG has a new brand that reflects these realities. It is designed around clarity, accessibility and connection, because capability-building works only when people can see themselves in it.
We’ll be changing the scale and nature of what we do and connecting with a lot more public servants in a way that gives them individual attention and support – particularly the critical ‘middle layer’ of those building their careers and working towards being SES level in the next two-to-five years.
For current and future public sector leaders, we want to make ANZSOG a career-long learning partner for you. This will run from programs that give you a grounding in the practical tools that you need to accelerate the first part your leadership journey; intensives that allow you to understand technological and other changes and fill gaps in your personal capability; through to programs for senior leaders that deepen your understanding of your own leadership.
All of these programs will connect you with others on the same journey and include you in our alumni network, and other communities.
What’s new
In 2026 we will roll out an expanded suite of programs and digital capabilities. Our aim: reach more public servants, earlier in their careers, with learning that is practical, personalised and anchored in the real challenges of public work.
We’re shifting how we deliver, with:
Digital‑first pathways that personalise learning using AI and new online tools.
Short, intensive leadership experiences that reflect the way modern work is done.
Blended learning models that combine the flexibility of online with the power of in‑person networks.
A redesigned offer for the middle‑management pipeline, strengthening the next generation of SES leaders.
The longer form university-accredited Executive Master of Public Administration remains central to our identity, offering a qualification that is rigorous, place‑based, and unique in the region. However, it is no longer the only way to build capability at scale. Our refreshed portfolio opens doors to many more people across jurisdictions including cohorts, such as those in regional or remote areas, which have often been excluded from high-quality professional development.
A brand that connects a community
This is a moment when public sector capability matters more than ever. Governments are working to rebuild internal strength, reduce reliance on consultants, and re‑establish trust in institutions. None of that happens without skilled people who stay connected to purpose and to each other.
Our new brand reflects the community we serve: practical, collaborative, forward‑looking. It is built for a public sector that must lead transformation from within.
In the year ahead, we will:
Deepen engagement with our alumni network;
Expand thought leadership and forums that connect people across agencies and jurisdictions; and
Provide more opportunities to learn from peers facing similar challenges.
Meeting the moment together
Public servants remain deeply committed to delivering for communities. What they need is a system that invests in their capability with the same seriousness as the challenges they face.
ANZSOG’s renewed brand, expanded programs and digital-first approach are designed to meet that need. We’re ready to partner with governments to build the capability, confidence and connectedness that define a high-performing public sector.
This is our next chapter—and we’re excited to share it.