Training

Strategic Communications and Messaging Online Intensive
This training covers the latest research from cognitive linguistics and psychology fields, along with some practical tools to develop communications that win.
Across 2 days, 3.5 hours each day
Online via Zoom
14th &15th October 2025 10:30am -2:00pm AEDT

Policy and Advocacy Intensive: Online Flexible Learning
Discover flexible online training with weekly modules and a live session designed to empower for-purpose professionals to master policy navigation and drive change.
At your own pace
Online via Zoom
Starts 13th October 2025

Policy Writing: Developing Compelling Submissions
This training covers how to prepare, approach and develop policy submissions including tips, tools and resources to use to get the best outcome.
2.5 hours
Online via Zoom
24th Jul 2025, 10:00am–12:30pm AEST 17th September 2025, 10:30am–1:00pm AEDT

Effective Media Engagement for Advocacy
This interactive and practical workshop focuses on communications and media engagement strategies to advance policy, promote research or achieve behaviour change objectives.
Across 2 days, 3.5 hours each day
Online via Zoom
12-13 Nov 2025, 10:30am – 2:00pm AEDT

Policy and Advocacy Intensive: Live and online
Discover live, interactive sessions that empower not-for-profit professionals with critical skills to navigate policy and political processes and drive change.
Across 2 days, 3–3.5 hours each day
Online via Zoom
20th–21st Aug 2025, 10:00am–1:30pm AEST

The 48th Parliament
Following the federal election, the 48th Parliament will be formed. Understanding the make-up of the 48th Parliament is critical to any organisation working in policy development and advocacy.
4 hours
Online via Zoom
16 October 2025, 10am – 2pm

Policy Managers Intensive
Join engaging, practical sessions that equip policy managers with essential skills to lead teams, set priorities, communicate effectively, and implement strategy with confidence.
Across 3 weeks, 3 hours each week + pre-work and 1:1 coaching
Online via Zoom
22 October, 29 October and 5 November 2025, 10:00am–1:00pm AEST
Coming soon
Evaluating Advocacy Impact
Email Management
Time Management
Policy Managers Intensive
Managing policy teams requires a diverse range of skills and knowledge. The Policy Managers Intensive is for people currently working as a manager of a policy, research or advocacy team. It covers essential skills for leadership development in agenda setting, communication and engagement, implementing organisational strategy and building effective teams.
The Intensive involves:
- 4 hours of pre-workshop activities
- 3 x 3 hour workshops delivered weekly
- 1 x 1 hour coaching session at the completion of the workshop series
Pre-workshop activities
Prior to the workshops commencing, participants will be asked to complete a survey that provides an overview of their personal learning objectives. Participants will also be provided with content in the form of short videos and research to complete prior to workshop 1.
Workshop 1 – Agenda setting and prioritisation
This workshop will focus on one of the key challenges faced by people managing policy teams – prioritisation. When there are so many possible priorities, how do managers determine what to focus on and how to set the agenda? In this session, we will explore
- environmental scanning
- prioritisation
- policy windows.
Workshop 2 – Authentic communication and engagement
This workshop will focus on how to develop effective relationships with a range of communities. All change requires collective action by a range of people. In this session, we will explore:
- developing and maintaining relationships
- movement building
- creating compelling presentations.
Workshop 3 – From strategy to action
This workshop will focus on how to turn your organisation’s strategic plan into meaningful action. To achieve outcomes, tangible actions are required that are focused on the organisation’s strategy. In this session, we will explore:
- turning strategy into tangible action
- building effective teams
Cost
The cost of the Intensive is $950 for people working in not-for-profit organisations and $1,150 for people working in government and other sectors.
Expression of Interest
All Intensives are capped at 15 people. The Intensive is targeted at people who have experience working in policy management roles. To apply for the Intensive, please complete an Expression of Interest by 5pm AEST 24 September.