By choosing one of these suggested study plans, you’ll step into the Graduate Certificate of Public Policy with clarity and confidence, ready to make the most of your learning journey.
Policy Design and Analysis
This suggested study plan builds strong capability in how policies are designed, implemented and evaluated in real-world contexts. Through courses such as Foundations of Public Policy, Evidence and Analysis in Public Policy and Policy Tools and Mixes, you will develop a clear understanding of policymaking frameworks and the analytical skills needed to assess policy options. Units exploring social policy, gender analysis, Indigenous policy challenges and urban governance deepen your ability to design inclusive and context-sensitive solutions. Case-based learning strengthens practical judgment and prepares students to navigate complex policy environments.
This suggested study plan is ideal for those seeking to shape effective, evidence-informed public policy across government and community sectors.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- Principles of Social Policy (POGO8084)
- Public Policy in Cities - Integrating and Governing Change (3u) (POGO8132)
- Gender Analysis in Public Policy (3u) (POGO8230)
- Policy Tools and Mixes (3u) (POGO8233)
- Contemporary Challenges to Indigenous Policy (3u) (POGO8239)
- Foundations of Public Policy (POGO8401)
- Cases in Contemporary Public Policy (POGO8403)
- Evidence and Analysis in Public Policy (POGO8500)
Policy Leadership
This suggested study plan develops the practical management and governance skills needed to operate effectively within modern public sector organisations. Through courses in public sector management, policy-making and policy advocacy, you will learn how resources, performance frameworks and organisational dynamics shape policy delivery. Units on intergovernmental management, local government reform and policy tools deepen your understanding of how different levels of government interact and how administrative structures influence policy outcomes.
With a grounding in the political and institutional foundations of public policy, this suggested study plan prepares you to lead teams, manage programs and drive operational improvement across the public service.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- Public Sector Ethics (POGO8021)
- International Policymaking in the Shadow of the Future (POGO8045)
- Policy Advocacy (POGO8083)
- Participating in Public Policy: Citizen Engagement and Public Talk (POGO8136)
- Persuasion for Policymakers (3u) (POGO8232)
- Unpacking Policy Capacity (3u) (POGO8234)
- Foundations of Public Policy (POGO8401)
Public Management
This suggested study plan develops the practical management and governance skills needed to operate effectively within modern public sector organisations. Through courses in public sector management, government finances and budgeting for outcomes, students learn how resources, performance frameworks and organisational dynamics shape policy delivery. Units on intergovernmental management, local government reform and policy tools deepen their understanding of how different levels of government interact and how administrative structures influence policy outcomes.
With a grounding in the political and institutional foundations of public policy, this suggested study plan prepares students to lead teams, manage programs and drive operational improvement across the public service.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- Managing Government Finances (POGO8057)
- Public Sector Management (POGO8062)
- Policy Tools and Mixes (3u) (POGO8233)
- Budgeting for Outcomes: Purposes, Programs and Performance (3u) (POGO8237)
- Fundamentals of Intergovernmental Management (3u) (POGO8238)
- The Localist Revolution – The Changing Face of Local Government (3u) (POGO8243)
- The Political and Institutional Architecture of Public Policy (POGO8402)
Resources, Environment and
Development
Climate Policy
This suggested study plan develops the skills needed to analyse, communicate and design effective climate policy across domestic and international contexts. Students explore Australian climate and environmental policy, global climate economics, and the governance of water, food and resource security—building a multidimensional understanding of how climate impacts intersect with social and economic systems. Training in communication and impact assessment equips students to translate evidence into policy and evaluate the effectiveness of climate-related programs.
This suggested study plan is ideal for those seeking to work in climate strategy, adaptation, resilience and sustainability roles across government, industry and the not-for-profit sector.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- Communicating for Environment and Climate Policy (EMDV8007)
- Australian Environmental Policy: Problems, Practices, Politics (EMDV8018)
- Water Justice, Management and Governance (EMDV8079)
- International Climate Change Policy and Economics (EMDV8080)
- Domestic Climate Change Policy and Economics (EMDV8081)
- Food Wars: Food Security and Agricultural Policy (EMDV8082)
- Impact Assessment and Evaluation for Environmental and Development Projects (EMDV8103)
Development Policy
This suggested study plan provides a comprehensive foundation in the drivers, challenges and politics of global development. Students explore issues such as poverty reduction, development theory, international aid, gender and environmental justice, land rights, food security and Asia–Pacific resource conflicts. Courses in sustainability transitions, disaster risk reduction, and impact assessment build practical capabilities for designing and evaluating development interventions.
By integrating economic, political and environmental perspectives, this suggested study plan equips students to work effectively in government, NGOs and international organisations focused on sustainable development, resilience and equitable policy outcomes.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
Environmental Management Policy
This suggested study plan provides students with the tools to manage environmental challenges through strong policy design, governance and implementation. Covering environmental markets, pollution and waste, Australian environmental policy, climate change, and food and resource security, students gain a practical understanding of how environmental issues are regulated and managed. Courses in environmental governance, impact assessment, energy economics and the energy transition build capability to evaluate projects, guide sustainable resource use and support low-carbon transitions.
With additional training in climate and environmental communication and national security implications, this suggested study plan prepares graduates to work across government, industry and the community on effective, evidence-based environmental management.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- Communicating for Environment and Climate Policy (EMDV8007)
- Environmental Markets (EMDV8011)
- Toxic: Environmental Pollution and Waste (EMDV8017)
- Australian Environmental Policy: Problems, Practices, Politics (EMDV8018)
- Food Wars: Food Security and Agricultural Policy (EMDV8082)
- Impact Assessment and Evaluation for Environmental and Development Projects (EMDV8103)
- Environmental Governance (EMDV8104)
- Energy Economics (IDEC8089)
- Climate, the Environment and National Security (NSPO8033)
- Governing the Energy Transition (POGO8212)
Economic Policy
This suggested study plan builds a solid grounding in how economies function and how economic analysis informs smarter policy decisions. Through courses spanning micro- and macro-economics, incentives and institutions, development challenges, and the role of government in markets, you will learn to interpret data, assess trade-offs and design evidence-based policy solutions.
It’s ideal for those looking to strengthen their analytical capability for roles in economic policy, budget analysis or strategic advisory work across government and related sectors.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- The Economics of Incentives and Institutions (IDEA8081)
- Government, Markets and Global Change (IDEC8000)
- Macroeconomic analysis and Policy (IDEC8002)
- Issues in Development Policy (IDEC8003)
- Pacific Economies and Politics (IDEA8037)
- Microeconomic analysis and Policy (IDEC8016)
- The Economic Way of Thinking (POGO8016)
- Economics for Government (POGO8081)
- Principles of Social Policy (POGO8084)
Environmental and Resource Economics
This suggested study plan will give you the economic tools to tackle pressing environmental and resource challenges. Through courses in environmental and climate-change economics, resource and energy markets, and core micro- and macroeconomic analysis, you will learn how incentives, markets and policy design can drive sustainable outcomes. You will gain the skills to evaluate environmental policies, assess resource use and energy transitions, and shape evidence-based responses to climate and sustainability issues.
This study plan is ideal for those aiming to work in environmental policy, climate strategy, or resource and energy economics across government, industry and international organisations.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- Environmental Markets (EMDV8011)
- Environmental Economics for Public Policy (EMDV8078)
- International Climate Change Policy and Economics (EMDV8080)
- Domestic Climate Change Policy and Economics (EMDV8081)
- Macroeconomic analysis and Policy (IDEC8002)
- Microeconomic analysis and Policy (IDEC8016)
- Agricultural and Resource Economics (IDEC8018)
- Energy Economics (IDEC8067)
International and Development Economics
This suggested study plan equips you to understand and respond to the economic forces shaping global development. Through courses in international trade, global markets, development policy, and core micro- and macroeconomic analysis, students learn how economies grow, adapt and interact. Electives on the Chinese, Asian or Pacific economies deepen regional insight and broaden comparative understanding. You will develop strong analytical skills to assess development challenges, design economic policy interventions and interpret global economic trends.
This study plan is ideal for those looking to work in international development, economic policy, foreign affairs or regional economic analysis.
Read more
Select up to 24 units worth of courses (standard courses are 6 units) listed below to complete this suggested study plan.
- Government, Markets and Global Change (IDEC8000)
- Macroeconomic analysis and Policy (IDEC8002)
- Issues in Development Policy (IDEC8003)
- Quantitative International Economics (IDEC8010)
- Microeconomic analysis and Policy (IDEC8016)
- The Chinese Economy (IDEC8021)
- Asian Economies (IDEC8067)
- Pacific Economies and Politics (IDEC8081)