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I want more infoIt was a turning point in my career
The PSMP was a turning point in my career development and future. Looking back now, it was a defining moment for my future career. In simple terms, it opened my eyes to the importance of leaders in driving innovation, implementing change, and creating positive organisational cultures to deliver outcomes for the community and government. Read more
Deputy Director-General Access Canberra
It changed my perspective
The PSMP has provided me with a best practice toolkit that allows me to look at complex problems from a very different perspective. It has also reinforced the importance of ensuring the teams I lead within my organisation build strong relationships with stakeholders to develop and implement well-informed and innovative solutions to address these challenges. Read more
Gain knowledge and confidence
‘The Public Sector Management Program (PSMP) was both challenging and rewarding and I gained a rich understanding of the systems of government. Having not undertaken any tertiary studies before, completing the PSMP instilled a new confidence around learning, resulting in my continuation of further postgraduate studies through QUT.’
NSW Department of Education
Enhance your management skills
Specifically designed in consultation with the governments of Australia, the Public Sector Management Program is all about developing your management skills in the business of government. Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management).
Lead in the public sector
‘The Public Sector Management Program provided me with knowledge of national and global contemporary business practices that I now apply directly to the workplace. Working with colleagues across the public sector gave me a greater depth of understanding of the similar challenges we face in a complex public sector environment and the important role we plays as managers and leaders.’
It was a turning point in my career
The PSMP was a turning point in my career development and future. Looking back now, it was a defining moment for my future career. In simple terms, it opened my eyes to the importance of leaders in driving innovation, implementing change, and creating positive organisational cultures to deliver outcomes for the community and government. Read more
Deputy Director-General Access Canberra
It changed my perspective
The PSMP has provided me with a best practice toolkit that allows me to look at complex problems from a very different perspective. It has also reinforced the importance of ensuring the teams I lead within my organisation build strong relationships with stakeholders to develop and implement well-informed and innovative solutions to address these challenges. Read more
Gain knowledge and confidence
‘The Public Sector Management Program (PSMP) was both challenging and rewarding and I gained a rich understanding of the systems of government. Having not undertaken any tertiary studies before, completing the PSMP instilled a new confidence around learning, resulting in my continuation of further postgraduate studies through QUT.’
NSW Department of Education
Enhance your management skills
Specifically designed in consultation with the governments of Australia, the Public Sector Management Program is all about developing your management skills in the business of government. Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management).
Lead in the public sector
‘The Public Sector Management Program provided me with knowledge of national and global contemporary business practices that I now apply directly to the workplace. Working with colleagues across the public sector gave me a greater depth of understanding of the similar challenges we face in a complex public sector environment and the important role we plays as managers and leaders.’
Highlights
- Understand and manage the business of government.
- A strong balance between academic theory and hands-on practical skills will ensure your learning can be applied directly in your workplace.
- Delivered over 15 months.
- Option for blended delivery (online learning with four intensive mandatory 3 or 4-day workshops) in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Perth and Sydney, for further information please refer to the state timetables below.
- A separate option for fully virtual delivery offerings (online learning with virtual classrooms) will also be offered nationally, for further information please refer to the virtual timetable below.
- Undertake a work-based project that delivers real outcomes for your organisation.
- Scholarships are available for NGO and local government employees. Find out more at the scholarships page.
Highlights
- Understand and manage the business of government.
- A strong balance between academic theory and hands-on practical skills will ensure your learning can be applied directly in your workplace.
- Delivered over 15 months.
- Option for blended delivery (online learning with four intensive mandatory 3 or 4-day workshops) in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Perth and Sydney, for further information please refer to the state timetables below.
- A separate option for fully virtual delivery offerings (online learning with virtual classrooms) will also be offered nationally, for further information please refer to the virtual timetable below.
- Undertake a work-based project that delivers real outcomes for your organisation.
- Scholarships are available for NGO and local government employees. Find out more at the scholarships page.
Real-world learning
QUT delivers a holistic, theoretically rigorous and real-world focused program through an innovative workplace blended learning framework.
You will undertake a workplace project delivering real outcomes for your organisations.
Explore this course
The Australian Public Service Commission has appointed QUT to deliver the Public Sector Management Program nationally. The program continues to make a significant impact on the Commonwealth, State and Local governments with a 30-year track record of success.
Offered to both public sector and non-government organisation (NGO) staff, the program provides an engaging and relevant curriculum, delivered through a unique blend of work-based learning, workshops and a virtual learning environment.
For more information download a copy of the
Public Sector Management Program brochure (PDF file, 2.4 MB).
Course timetables
Timetables are available for the below state cohorts:
- Queensland timetable (PDF file, 235.3 KB)
- Australian Capital Territory timetable (PDF file, 188.3 KB)
- New South Wales timetable (PDF file, 230.6 KB)
- Northern Territory timetable (PDF file, 706.0 KB)
- Virtual 2401 (PDF file, 704.5 KB)
- Virtual 2402 (PDF file, 226.5 KB)
- Virtual 2403 (PDF file, 706.3 KB)
- Virtual 2404 (PDF file, 705.8 KB)
Flexible delivery
Designed to maximise workplace learning, this national curriculum employs a blend of workshops (face to face or virtual delivery), workplace projects, case studies and an online learning environment offering participants access to QUT’s library database, PSMP cohort Canvas (online learning software), weblinks, videos and PDF e-books.
Duration
The four-unit course is delivered over 15 months.
Assessment items
Assignments will be marked by the unit facilitator in accordance with standard assessment criteria and moderated nationally to ensure consistency.
Student support
QUT supports participants throughout the course, delivering a high-quality learning experience with a national team of committed administrative and academic staff.
As a PSM Program participant you will be enrolled as a QUT student before the start of the program. You will have access to student support such as QUT library access and library support, learning support and academic writing support.
Graduation
QUT will hold an annual graduation ceremony in each capital city. Students have the opportunity to wear full graduation robes.
Possible careers
- Assistant director
- Director
- Manager
- Program manager
- Project manager
Program content
The public sector management program is designed in collaboration with the governments of Australia to meet the needs of the contemporary public sector. It consists of four core units.
Unit One: GSZ631 Managing within the Context of Government
GSZ631 provides the 'big picture' of government and the context within which public sector managers operate. It develops an understanding of the institutional frameworks and conventions which guide practice and ensure sustainable democratic processes.
Unit Two: GSZ632 Managing Self and Others
GSZ632 provides insights into key individual and group behaviours, and offers skills for communicating and managing people and teams.
Unit Three: GSZ633 Managing Outwards in a Networked Government
GSZ633 explores the variety of relationships that managers need to build across the public sector and outside it - with the private sector, with community and not-for-profit sector and with citizens and clients of government services.
Unit Four: GSZ634 Managing Operations for Outcomes
GSZ634 builds on the overall operational capabilities of managers and provides them with highly effective and appropriate tools, processes and diagnostic capabilities to deliver and sustain the business of government. This unit also includes a workplace project.
Course coordinators are located across Australia with administrative support staff in Brisbane and Canberra.
- Course code
- GZ35
-
- Online
- Gardens Point
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Online
- Gardens Point
- Kelvin Grove
- 15 months part-time
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October
Entry requirements
You must either have a:
- recognised bachelor degree in any discipline with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.50 (on QUT's 7-point scale) plus have at least 3 years full-time (or equivalent) post-degree professional work experience with a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent) supervisory/management professional work experience; or
- minimum of 7 years full-time professional work experience with a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent) supervisory/management professional work experience.
Supervisory experience is experience either supervising staff or managing complex groups of stakeholders.
Additional entry requirements
You must provide with your online application a:
- short CV demonstrating relevant work experience
- completed applicant suitability assessment form (DOCX file, 97.8 KB)
- completed financial authorisation form (DOCX file, 101.5 KB)
You may be required to:
- attend an interview
- sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) (the worldwide standard in aptitude assessment for admission to postgraduate management programs), and achieve a minimum score of 550. GMAT details (PDF file, 271.8 KB)
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
|
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| IELTS Academic / IELTS Online / IELTS One Skills Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| TOEFL iBT / Home / Paper | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: Available from July
2025 fees
2025: Available from July
2024 fees
2024: $3,100 per unit (12 credit points)
2024 fees
FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
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