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Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (739AD.2)
Please note these are the 2026 details for this course
| Selection rank | English language requirements | Duration | UAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 0.5 years | ||
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Location | Available teaching periods |
| Faculty of Business, Government & Law | Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis |
Bruce, Canberra |
View teaching periods |
Fees
English language requirements
An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their education, which is set by the Commonwealth Government. Information on Commonwealth Supported Places, HECS-HELP and how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
| Academic entry requirements | English language requirements | CRICOS code | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Business, Government & Law | |||
| Discipline(s) | Location | Available teaching periods | Duration |
| Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis |
View teaching periods | 0.5 years |
Fees
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
English language requirements
An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Academic entry requirements
To study at UC, you’ll need to meet our academic entry requirements and any admission requirements specific to your course. Please read your course admission requirements below. To find out whether you meet UC’s academic entry requirements, visit our academic entry requirements page.
Solidify your career in public admin
Tailored to current ACT government staff, this course is a valuable stepping stone into a admin management career, introducing you to subjects like managing government finance and focusing on strategic approaches that will allow you to negotiate change in an increasingly complex sector.
Need a flexible method of study that suits the challenges of your day job? This course is delivered using a combination of on-line and traditional teaching methods comprising lectures, tutorials and workshops, so up-skilling was never easier!
Career opportunities
A range of career opportunities exist for Graduate Certificate in Public Administration graduates in a range of Canberra-based government roles, including as a:
- chief administration officer
- human services director
- public works director
Course specific information
Students must have a degree or equivalent as approved by the Academic Quality and Standards Committee and be currently employed in the graduate program of an Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government Department OR hold two or more years of relevant work experience.
This course is contracted to be run in conjunction with government agencies, and admission is open to specific government agency staff only. Please note it is not open for general admission. If you are interested in a public policy degree, please see the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (SCC101).
Professional accreditation
None.
Applicants must have a degree or equivalent as approved by the Academic Quality and Standards Committee and be currently employed in the graduate programme of an Australian Commonwealth, State, or Territory Government Department, OR hold two or more years of relevant work experience.
Note: this course is only offered on a contract basis with Government agencies and is not open to general admission entry.
Assumed knowledge
None.
Periods course is open for new admissions
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Teaching Periods 1 - 6 |
Credit arrangements
There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy.
Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (739AD) | 12 credit points
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you must meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course
UC - Canberra, Bruce
Year 1
Period 3
Period 5 or 6
TP5: 9376 Special Topics in Business & Government G OR TP6: 9802 Leading and Managing Change G
Course duration
The standard course duration is one year part-time.
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcomes | Related graduate attributes |
|---|---|
| Apply leadership skills necessary to communicate the importance of organisation and/or policy change with a variety of audiences. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| Creatively apply problem solving skills to live public sector problems. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Demonstrate practical knowledge of how government financial processes and assumptions constrain and enable government actions. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical approaches to public administration as applied in Australian public sector settings. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Demonstrate practical knowledge of how government decisions are made in a contested policy environment and how to influence Government decision processes. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Critically evaluate current government practice in administration, policy, and finance settings. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
Awards
| Award | Official abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Public Administration | GradCertPA |
Alternative exits
The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration is subsumable within the Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and the Master of Public Administration.
Enquiries
| Student category | Contact details |
|---|---|
| - | - |
| - | - |
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