Harness new ideas to deliver better outcomes for government and the community.

Is this course right for you?
Public sector organisations are under increasing pressure to do more with less, respond quickly to emerging issues, and meet changing community expectations. New technologies, data and media are reshaping how people interact with government and how services are delivered.

This interactive program is designed for leaders who want to bring innovation into their agency or department and embed it into everyday work. Whether you’re leading a team, a program or a whole division, this course will help you move from ad-hoc ideas to deliberate, strategic innovation.

You’ll explore your role in creating the conditions for creativity building a culture where people feel safe to experiment, test new approaches and learn from what doesn’t work, as well as what does.

What will you learn?

Innovation isn’t just about big, disruptive ideas; it’s about finding better ways to solve problems, improve services, and generate public value.

In this program, you’ll explore what innovation means in a public sector context and how it aligns with your organisation’s purpose and strategy. You’ll investigate tools and techniques for generating ideas, testing assumptions, and moving from concept to implementation.

Using real public-sector case studies, group discussions, and practical activities, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your own experiences, learn from peers, and apply frameworks and models to your current challenges.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain what innovation and creativity mean in a public sector context and why they matter for your agency or department.
• Connect innovation initiatives to organisational strategy, priorities, and outcomes.
• Use practical tools and techniques to generate, refine, and test new ideas.
• Create the cultural conditions that support experimentation, learning, and constructive challenge.
• Draw on real-life public sector case studies to identify success factors and common pitfalls.
• Facilitate small-group discussions that surface ideas, insights, and diverse perspectives.
• Reflect on your own leadership behaviours, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and develop actions to foster innovation in your team.
• Build a network of peers who are also working to champion innovation and creative problem-solving across the public sector.

If you would like to learn more about this course or our other offerings, please contact the IPAA ACT team at 02 6154 9800 or capability@act.ipaa.org.au.

Courses that do not reach the minimum required participants 14 days before the commencement date will be cancelled with a full refund.

If you work for the federal or ACT public service, or in the broader public-for-purpose sector, you’re most likely already a member of IPAA ACT. Check our membership list if you’re not sure.