Prospective Participants
- Who is it for?
- Eligibility
- Benefits to Participants
- Benefits to Agencies
- Agency Sponsorship
- Workplace Sponsor
- Academic Support
- Qualifications
- Program Outline
- Program Fees
- Application Form / Enrolment
- Application close off
- Waitlist
Who is it for?
The PSM Program is a tertiary level (post-graduate university) management and leadership education program with a focus on building practical skills.
It is aimed at front line managers from middle to senior levels in Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local Governments across Australia and those entering management from operational, administrative, professional and technical areas.
Applicants should have a high level of personal commitment to the public sector and to completing a major course of academic study.
Eligibility
This program is aimed at highly motivated frontline managers from middle to senior levels across all tiers of government.
• A06 – A08 levels or equivalent
No prior university study is required and participants are given support in academic writing.
The Program incorporates the latest developments in public sector management and theory and has been developed to offer participant-centred, flexible and varied learning opportunities to a diverse student population.
Benefits to Participants
As a PSM Program participant, you will:
- gain skills and knowledge in understanding the context of public sector management
and improve your performance as a manager - interact with management consultants
- share experience and network with other participants from the three tiers of
government - achieve a post-graduate university degree
- be able to fast-track into higher university study with credit
- complete a Work Based Project that provides a high agency profile and that tests the
application of learning, and - have a sound basis for career progression.
Benefits to Agencies
The benefits to your agency include:
- Improved services
With an aging public service, it is vital for agencies to train existing managers and emerging leaders, to deliver quality services in the future. The PSM Program provides a foundation for this training.
- Skills development
The program provides an ideal opportunity to enhance the skills of managers, technical officers and professional personnel to help them manage in the current public sector environment.
- Whole-of-sector experience
Participants work alongside people from different agencies and within the three tiers of government, discussing and working through issues facing public sector managers and learning from their experiences.
- Work Based Project
As part of the program, sponsoring agencies give participants a challenging, in-house consultancy project to not only enhance their skills but address a problem or issue in the workplace.
- Participation in an industry-owned program
The program is managed by a National Board of Management and Local Leadership Groups who deal every day with the issues and demands of the public sector.
Agency Sponsorship
As a participant in the PSM Program, you require the sponsorship of your employer.
The role of the sponsoring employer is to:
- support your application within the agency and fund the program fee
- support your attendance at the face to face units
- develop a Work Based Project with you, act as the project mentor and provide feedback at significant stages
- comprehensively evaluate your Work Based Project Report before it is submitted for assessment, and
- provide a role as mentor/coach or delegate this responsibility.
Workplace Sponsor
The sponsor's support is critical to the success of participants undertaking the PSM Program.
The role of the sponsor includes elements of coaching and mentoring, which may also include:
- sharing ideas
- linking learning to the workplace
- involving yourself wherever appropriate and possible
- attending any work based project group meetings and/or presentations eg Work Based Project presentations
- facilitating access to resources if and when appropriate – this includes people
- helping manage workplace priorities/workloads to maximise your participants learning
- monitoring investment and potential return to agency
- suggesting strategies or methodogies
- supporting participant
- available to discuss the course content and assignments at regular intervals.
If you are not in a position to provide this level of support, it is suggested that the support role be assigned to another appropriate officer with whom you liaise.
Guidelines for sponsors are available here.
Academic Support
The PSM Program team is aware that many new participants have not previously undertaken academic writing and others are returning to assignment writing after a long absence.
An optional Database/Library Training workshop is available for participants.
It is advised that participants familiarise themselves with the unit workbook prior to attending the face to face unit. As you prepare, you can be completing the assignments. Facilitators are able to provide feedback on draft assignments.
Qualifications
Earning a Graduate Certificate (post-graduate) demonstrates that you have achieved an education standard recognised nationally and internationally through the university system.
The assessment and accreditation provided by the participating universities is designed to reinforce the personal and professional development opportunities of the PSM Program and allow you to progress to further study. PSM Program graduates are eligible for credit or advanced standing into further post-graduate programs at Graduate Diploma, Masters, Masters (Honours) and Doctorate levels.
All participants who meet the assessment requirements will receive a Graduate Certificate from one of four leading Australian universities:
- Graduate Certificate in Management - [Curtin University, WA]
- Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership - [Griffith University, QLD]
- Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management - [Macquarie University, NSW]
- Graduate Certificate in Management (Public Sector) - [RMIT University, VIC]
Program Outline
Tertiary study involves a significant amount of time in preparation for coursework, researching and writing assignments.
When choosing a program, consider the program dates including the assignment submission dates and your work, family, social and recreational commitments.
For Program schedules, click here.
Program Fees
The PSM Program fee is $6,500 which is payable on receipt of application and is non refundable.
The fee includes:
- Application and registration
- Orientation Day
- Residential – team building
- Face-to-face delivery of all four units
- Program materials
- Tutorial support, workshops and feedback
- Day catering
- Assessment, accreditation and graduation
- Support of the PSM Program team
Funding and the cost of providing time off-the-job to attend coursework will be met by your employer.
This quality program is delivered by facilitators with proven presentation skills, experienced in the public sector and with a strong knowledge base. The PSM Program represents excellent value for money for your agency.
Application Form / Enrolment
The PSM Program is aimed at highly motivated middle and senior managers in the Australian public sectors, or public sector employees wishing to attain middle or senior management level. To undertake the Program, participants are sponsored by their employer and commit to completing the Program.
To apply, simply complete the Application Form and forward to your Agency Contact or HR area within your agency, they will seek CEO approval on your behalf. We recommend that you retain a copy for your records.
All Northern Territory applications must be signed off by
- the participants line manager
- nominated sponsor; and
- Chief Executive Officer
If you require further information please email: swpd.ocpe@nt.gov.au
Application close off
Approved applications must be received by OCPE at least one month prior to the Orientation Day.
Waitlist
Even though your application is supported by your agency, it is possible that you may be on a waitlist for the following program.