ANZSOG’s updated Executive Master of Public Administration program prepares to help its 25th cohort become more effective systems leaders

As the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) looks to welcome its 25th cohort in 2027 – the program’s ability to stay relevant to the challenges of the modern public sector, and  give students the skills and mindsets to become systems leaders, has not wavered. 

Since its first ever class in 2003, EMPA has blended academic and practitioner perspectives, and given students a network of equally motivated peers that last for the rest of their careers. 

Today’s senior public leaders are operating in conditions where complexity crosses portfolios, sectors and jurisdictions. EMPA is designed for leaders who need to exercise judgement without perfect information, influence beyond formal authority and work across systems to deliver public value. 

ANZSOG Academic Director Programs, Associate Professor Kim Moloney, says there is no equivalent degree to the EMPA in the southern hemisphere, with its focus on the local conditions of Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions.   

“EMPA is a unique, world -class program. There’s really no learning equivalent anywhere else. In 2027, we are using a mix of learning strategies: digital learning, place-based learning, flipped classrooms, as well as flexible and self-paced learning. The learning in the EMPA is multi-directional, as our faculty bring out the skills and experience within each cohort,” she said. 

“Our classrooms are filled with students who often have five or more years of near- senior or senior level public sector experience. They're already technical experts - they have the operational roadmap down, but they're seeking the next step in their career.,” A/Prof Moloney said. 

“Our students participate widely and deeply in our discussions and share their experience across the cohort. The EMPA is an opportunity to not only earn an accredited degree that is highly valued and respected, but it is also to create a cohort network for students that will be their future resource, and intellectual bedrock or ‘ideas party’ as their careers progress.” 

Sharing experience to work on real world problems 

Place-based learning is a cornerstone of the EMPA experience - taking students out of their comfort zones and exposing them to new ideas, resulting in frank conversations with senior leaders about how other jurisdictions are tackling economic, social and environmental issues.  

In 2027, students will visit Wellington, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and more. In past years they have been immersed in Darwin, Cairns and Christchurch.  

Professor Michael Macaulay, from the Victoria University of Wellington, teaches the Delivering Public Value subject at the beginning of the degree, as well as being a co-ordinator of the capstone Work-based Project that concludes the degree. 

He says the EMPA cohort each year is ‘an amazing amalgamation of people, who really care passionately about making a difference’.  

“This is not a textbook course. This is not textbook teaching. This is a course where students will be learning primarily from each other, with faculty coordinating conversations in the classroom. Even more importantly, students will interact with a host of EMPA Alumni and amazing practitioner speakers from across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.” 

The Work-based Project is the final part of the EMPA, and pulls together the learning from previous units, as students work together to address a real-world problem. 

“The Work-based Project is a unique part of the EMPA and a highlight for students,” Professor Macaulay said. 

“Students work in small groups, roughly six or seven students each, and spend around about six months working directly with an agency on a meaningful, live issue that they are facing.  This is not something that is just they think might be an interesting intellectual topic – it is a problem that students have to solve.” 

Becoming effective systems leaders 

A/Prof Moloney said that ongoing public sector transformations are part of public service life. Public servants face pressure to be agile and to be responsive to policy questions which, by their nature, are not simple. This requires civil servants who are technical or sector experts but also, systems leaders of the future.  

“Governments are under strain both in Australia and New Zealand. There are fiscal challenges, inconsistencies in capacities across sectors and jurisdictions. In addition, we're all trying to govern in a time of crisis, or sometimes, a polycrisis,” she said.  

“We need organisations that are resilient. We need leaders who can understand that resilience and are able to craft a responsive and collaborative agenda that is cognisant of the fiscal, policy and political challenges. 

“The public sector has moved from an exclusive focus on operational excellence, to whole of government leadership, to tomorrow's system leadership. 

“Public sector leaders need to have emotional intelligence, the ability to collaborate with diverse teams and capacities and - at the same time - handle shorter decision times, limited fiscal space, and often juggling more than one crisis at a time. 

“We emphasise that it is increasingly important for leaders to think across the system as a whole. Our goal is to transform students already present technical expertise and operational strengths into the system leadership required for tomorrow's public sector.”  

EMPA at a glance 

Who it’s for: Established public sector leaders who are ready to strengthen their strategic judgement, engage with academic and public sector rigour, and develop the systems leadership needed for complex public sector challenges. Participants are typically at EL2 level or higher in Australia, or in comparable senior roles in Aotearoa New Zealand or other jurisdictions. 

Delivery: The EMPA is a university-accredited graduate program delivered through a combination of online, blended,  and in-person learning over two years. 

Structure: The degree combines eight ANZSOG core subjects, three university electives delivered through one of the EMPA’s partner universities and a Work-Based Project that applies learning to a significant real-world public sector challenge. 

2027 Course Dates: The 2027 EMPA cohort commences in February 2027. 

Investment: The 2027 EMPA fee is AUD $64,800 excluding GST. For the 25th EMPA cohort, ANZSOG is offering a one-off 10% subsidy for each participant, reducing the fee to AUD $58,320 excluding GST. 

Entry requirements: Applicants generally need at least five years’ relevant senior-level experience, eligibility for master’s entry, typically through an undergraduate degree, and agency nomination. Alternative pathways may be available through Monash University or Victoria University of Wellington. 

What you will learn:  

The EMPA covers a wide range of capabilities required by modern public sector leaders. Core subjects are:  Delivering Public Value, Governing in a Market Economy, Decision-making under Uncertainty, Designing Public Policies and Programs, Managing Public Sector Organisations, Governing by the Rules, Leading Public Sector Change, and the Work-based Project 

Find Out More 

Visit: Executive Master of Public Administration on the ANZSOG website 

Contact: engage@anzsog.edu.au   

Or book a one-on-one conversation to discuss whether the Executive Master of Public Administration is the right fit for you or your organisation.