Building policy capability for a stronger public service
The Better Policy Program is a flagship professional development offering from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), designed to build and strengthen policy capability across the Australian Public Service (APS) and industry.
Originally developed to improve policy and decision-making within the Australian Department of Defence, the program is now being opened to the public to help staff from all agencies develop the skills to deliver clearer, stronger and more confident policy advice in increasingly complex environments.
Why Better Policy?
Policy work is changing. The operating environment is more complex, the demands on advice are higher, and the need for practical policy tradecraft has never been more important.
ASPI’s Better Policy Program is designed to address Australia’s changing policy environment, by helping participants produce clearer, stronger and more confident policy advice.
The Better Policy Program bridges the gap between policy analysis and policy capability, turning ASPI’s strategic expertise and real-world experience into practical, practitioner-led learning.
The program consists of three complementary modules. Each can be taken as a standalone course, or combined as a structured learning pathway that builds progressively deeper capability.
The Better Policy Program
The program consists of three complementary modules. Each can be taken as a standalone course, or combined as a structured learning pathway that builds progressively deeper capability.
1 Day Workshop - 15 September, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Better Policy Foundations is a one-day workshop that demystifies the policy process. Participants gain a practical understanding of how policy is developed, how decisions are made, and how to contribute confidently from day one.
Originally developed for the Australian Department of Defence, this workshop equips participants with the core knowledge and practical policy tradecraft needed to operate effectively across government.
Location: Barton, ACT
Cost: $900 ex GST
Who should attend?
- APS graduates and early-career professionals
- Policy officers (APS3-6)
- New or aspiring policy practitioners
- Staff transitioning into policy roles
- Consultants or industry working with government
What you'll learn
Participants will develop an understanding of:
- How policy decisions are made in government
- The end-to-end policy cycle
- Core policy roles and responsibilities
- Stewardship and public service obligations
- Practical tools used to develop high-quality policy advice
What you'll gain
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand how policy moves through government
- Contribute more confidently to policy development
- Produce better-informed policy advice
- Understand their role within the broader policy system
- Apply practical policy tools immediately in the workplace
2 Day Workshop - 13 and 14 October, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Better Policy Applications is a two-day workshop designed for policy practitioners who want to strengthen their judgement, improve the quality of their advice and become more effective in real policy settings.
Through realistic case studies and practical exercises, participants learn how to navigate competing priorities, engage stakeholders, analyse options and communicate advice that supports better government decisions.
Location: Barton, ACT
Cost: $1800 ex GST
Who should attend?
- Policy professionals at any career stage
- Project and program staff working with policy
- Policy officers and advisors
- Practitioners seeking to deepen their capability
- Consultants or industry working with government
What you’ll learn
Participants will develop capability in:
- Applying policy frameworks to real-world problems
- Stakeholder engagement and consultation
- Options analysis and policy design
- Strategic policy communication
- Applied policy judgement
- Responding to complex policy challenge
What you’ll gain
Participants will leave with the confidence to:
- Develop stronger policy advice
- Navigate competing priorities
- Assess policy options more effectively
- Communicate recommendations clearly
- Apply practical techniques in their day-to-day work
2 Day Workshop - 9 and 10 November, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Better Policy Analytical Tools is a two-day workshop designed to strengthen the analytical capability that underpins high-quality policy advice.
Participants develop practical approaches to analysing complex issues and producing advice that is clear, evidence-informed and persuasive.
Location: Barton, ACT
Cost: $1800 ex GST
Who should attend?
- Policy professionals at any career stage
- Advisors working on complex or high-impact issues
- Policy officers and analysts
- Practitioners seeking stronger analytical capability
- Consultants or industry working with government
What you’ll learn
Participants will strengthen capability in:
- Structured decision-making
- Data identification and use
- Evaluation techniques
- Impact assessment
- Analytical judgement
- Communicating persuasive policy advice
What you’ll gain
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Analyse complex policy problems more systematically
- Make better use of evidence in decision-making
- Present stronger, more persuasive advice
- Evaluate policy options with greater confidence
- Apply practical analytical frameworks in the workplace
Who Is This Program For?
Target Audience
- APS graduates and early-career professionals
- Policy professionals wanting to upskill
- Policy officers, advisors and analysts
- Staff moving into policy roles
- Project and program professionals working alongside policy teams
- Consultants and industry professionals engaging with government
The program is available to individual participants and to teams or agencies seeking to uplift policy capability at a group or organisational level.
What You’ll Gain
Key Benefits
- Stronger policy tradecraft and analytical confidence
- Clearer understanding of government decision-making
- Improved quality and clarity of policy advice
- Stronger collaboration, stewardship and cross-agency networks
- Practical tools you can apply immediately in your role
Why Learn with ASPI?
- Learn from senior practitioners with real-world policy experience
- Gain insight into every stage of the policy cycle
- Build networks across agencies and portfolios
- Take home ASPI’s exclusive Better Policy Handbook
This is not generic policy training—it is grounded in the realities of Australia’s strategic, national security and international policy environments.
Where & How
- Face-to-face delivery at ASPI’s Professional Development Centre, Barton ACT
- Led by ASPI Senior Fellows and experienced senior public-sector practitioners
- Highly interactive, practical and discussion-based
Practical, practitioner-led learning that translates ASPI’s policy expertise into actionable skills—building better policy practitioners for a stronger public service.