Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership | Flinders Online

Graduate Certificate in

Public Sector Leadership

Graduate Certificate in

Public Sector Leadership

Lead with Confidence.

Elevate your career in 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time. This course is specifically designed for public sector professionals looking to develop leadership and policy skills.

Apply now

Enquire now

Fast Facts

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree or relevant work experience

See entry requirements

Duration

6 months

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$9,139 (full fee paying)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Duration

6 months

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$9,139 (full fee paying)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Overview

Overview Course details Career opportunities Your academics Entry requirements Enquire now

Apply now

Study a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

Only three years' relevant work experience needed to qualify.

Study a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

Only three years' relevant work experience needed to qualify.

Boost your public policy expertise and leadership skills to excel as a senior public administrator, executive or policy manager, or to transition into a public policy role.

Flinders University is ranked in the top 2% globally* and No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**. Our Public Sector Leadership degree is designed for managers and professionals looking to develop their leadership skills and to build advanced skills in stakeholder engagement and policy making, digital technology practices, and political systems and governance in the public sector.

*THE World University Rankings 2024 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities

**QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal

What you will study

You will complete 4 topics developed by public policy experts and develop skills in leadership, policy and governance, and stakeholder engagement. Complete all 4 topics in semester one, or study part-time by selecting topics across both semesters.

What you will study

You will complete 4 topics developed by public policy experts and develop skills in leadership, policy and governance, and stakeholder engagement. Complete all 4 topics in semester one, or study part-time by selecting topics across both semesters.

Semester 1

March

Emerging Digital Futures
Inclusion and Innovation in Public Leadership
Stakeholders, Engagement and Policy Making
Governing, Complexity and Policy

Semester 2

July

Emerging Digital Futures
Inclusion and Innovation in Public Leadership
Stakeholders, Engagement and Policy Making
Governing, Complexity and Policy

Semester 1

March

Emerging Digital Futures
Inclusion and Innovation in Public Leadership
Stakeholders, Engagement and Policy Making
Governing, Complexity and Policy

Semester 2

July

Emerging Digital Futures
Inclusion and Innovation in Public Leadership
Stakeholders, Engagement and Policy Making
Governing, Complexity and Policy

Apply now

Course handbook

Your career

Elevate your public sector career. Gain skills and confidence to embrace leadership roles in the public sector or roles that interface with the public sector. The Australian public sector has hundreds of departments and agencies at Commonwealth, State and Local Government level, with multiple career opportunities available.

Your career

Elevate your public sector career. Gain skills and confidence to embrace leadership roles in the public sector or roles that interface with the public sector. The Australian public sector has hundreds of departments and agencies at Commonwealth, State and Local Government level, with multiple career opportunities available.

Potential occupations

Executive Director

Chief Operating Officer

Governance Manager

Policy Manager

Program Manager

$230,000*

$210,000*

$150,000*

$140,000*

$125,000*

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Local, state and Australian government departments
Non-profit organisations
International development organisations
Research institutions
Social advocacy organisations

Potential occupations

Executive Director

Chief Operating Officer

Governance Manager

Policy Manager

Program Manager

$230,000*

$210,000*

$150,000*

$140,000*

$125,000*

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Local, state and Australian government departments
Non-profit organisations
International development organisations
Research institutions
Social advocacy organisations

Practical experience

Gain practical skills in leading public sector organisations in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world.

Practical experience

Gain practical skills in leading public sector organisations in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world.

Experience interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Experience interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Experience interactive,
case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Industry connections

Flinders University is the provider of the South Australian Government's Next Execs Program for the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, South Australian Government.

Flinders University is a future
you can count on

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows

Gain public policy and leadership skills in 6-months full-time or 12-months part-time.

Career growth - build confidence with practical, in-demand skills

Continue your learning with the online alumni network built into the course

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows

Gain public policy and leadership skills in 6-months full-time or 12-months part-time.

Career growth - build confidence with practical, in-demand skills

Continue your learning with the online alumni network built into the course

*THE World University Rankings 2023
**QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Dr Jessica Genauer

International Relations

Jessica provides analysis on conflict, threat perceptions and post-conflict institution building, particularly in the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine. She also emphasises cultural capability and intercultural leadership in executive training.

See full profile

Dr Jessica Genauer

International Relations

Show less

Jessica provides analysis on conflict, threat perceptions and post-conflict institution building, particularly in the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine. She also emphasises cultural capability and intercultural leadership in executive training.

See full profile

Associate Professor Rob Manwaring

Politics and Policy

Rob specialises in public policy. He has worked as a senior policy adviser for the UK's Commission for Racial Equality and the South Australian Council of Social Services. He teaches policy and politics, researches centre-left political parties and authored "The Politics of Social Democracy" (2021). Rob is President of the Australian Political Science Association (2023-2024) and co-editor of the Australian Journal of Political Science.

See full profile

Associate Professor Rob Manwaring

Politics and Policy

Show less

Rob specialises in public policy. He has worked as a senior policy adviser for the UK's Commission for Racial Equality and the South Australian Council of Social Services. He teaches policy and politics, researches centre-left political parties and authored "The Politics of Social Democracy" (2021). Rob is President of the Australian Political Science Association (2023-2024) and co-editor of the Australian Journal of Political Science.

See full profile

Dr Jessica Genauer

International Relations

Jessica provides analysis on conflict, threat perceptions and post-conflict institution building, particularly in the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine. She also emphasises cultural capability and intercultural leadership in executive training.

See full profile

Associate Professor Rob Manwaring

Politics and Policy

Rob specialises in public policy. He has worked as a senior policy adviser for the UK's Commission for Racial Equality and the South Australian Council of Social Services. He teaches policy and politics, researches centre-left political parties and authored "The Politics of Social Democracy" (2021). Rob is President of the Australian Political Science Association (2023-2024) and co-editor of the Australian Journal of Political Science.

See full profile

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further four topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded a Master of Public Policy.

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further four topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded a Master of Public Policy.

Master of Public Policy

12 topics
2-year duration

Graduate Diploma in Public Policy & Administration

8 topics
12-month duration

Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

4 topics
6-month duration

Master of Public Policy

12 topics
2-year duration

Graduate Diploma in Public Policy & Administration

8 topics
12-month duration

Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

4 topics
6-month duration

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification

Your work experience counts:

Applicants who do not hold a bachelor's degree but have relevant professional experience in the public sector may also be considered, and should provide employment experience information in their application.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Who is the Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership course designed for?

It is a course designed for public sector professionals looking to enhance leadership and policy skills.

Can I study this course on campus?

No, this course is only offered online.

Am I eligible to study a Flinders Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership?

To view the admission requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership, refer to the Handbook. You’ll normally need to have a bachelor's degree.

Do you need a degree to study a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership?

Not necessarily. See the answer above for more information on eligibility. To view the admission requirements, refer to the Handbook.

Is a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership worth it?

Yes, in many ways. Not only will it help you to upskill fast, in as little time as 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time, you’ll also build your networks, improve your confidence and knowledge, and gain access to sought-after public sector knowledge.

How to apply?

Select your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Check the key application and enrolment dates.

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates