Are you an employee of the Commonwealth or ACT Government who identifies as neurodivergent (clinical diagnosis not necessary)?

Do you:

• Feel like you always have “too many tabs open” and find it hard to switch off or finish tasks?
• Get easily distracted or overwhelmed, even when you care deeply about your work?
• Notice your nervous system becoming dysregulated by noise, light, social interaction or other sensory input, reducing your capacity to do your job?
• Feel chronically tired, wired or on the edge of burnout despite your best efforts?

This course is designed for neurodivergent public sector professionals who want to understand their energy, nervous system and sensory needs, reduce the risk of burnout, and create more sustainable ways of working that support both wellbeing and performance.

This program is aligned with IPAA’s commitment to strengthening the capability of public sector professionals. By the end of this course, participants will be better equipped to:

• feel more efficient and effective in how they work, saving time and delivering higher-quality outcomes
• increase satisfaction with what they set out to achieve each day, building momentum and confidence
• strengthen their professional reputation and career prospects by working in ways that showcase their strengths

This course is delivered online via Microsoft Teams and is intentionally designed to be neurodivergent-friendly, so you can finish the program feeling energised, not exhausted.

• Inclusive: Leave the masks at the door. You are invited to show up as your authentic self so you can focus (or hyperfocus) on your professional and leadership development.
• Sensitivity-supporting: Join from your own comfort zone – weighted blankets, fidget toys, cameras off, stimming, standing, pacing or sitting quietly are all welcome.
• Bite-sized and break-filled: Content is delivered in short, evidence-based segments (around 10 minutes each), with built-in Q&A, processing time, reflection and regular breaks.
• Practical empowerment: Workbooks and reflective activities help you tailor your learnings, insights and goals to your unique profile, context and aspirations.
• Confidential conversations*: Connect through intimate, small-group discussions where lived experience, strategies and successes are shared in a safe environment.

This course is Part 2 of a three-part series for neurodivergent public sector professionals, alongside:

Part 1 – Embracing your authentic neurodivergent self to belong without having to  ‘fit in’

Part 3– Working smarter not harder as a neurodivergent professional

Together, the series supports self-acceptance, self-management and self-advocacy so you can build a sustainable, successful career. Each course can be completed on its own or as part of the full series, and you can take them in any order that suits your needs.

*Chatham House Rule applies

You will develop practical skills and strategies to work smarter, not harder, so you can contribute fully and authentically while building a strong, sustainable professional brand.

Through evidence-based insights, interactive discussions and individual activities, you will:

• Expand your toolkit of realistic, neurodivergent-friendly productivity strategies to manage planning, prioritisation, follow-through and executive functioning challenges.
• Design simple systems, routines and cues that make it easier to start, continue and complete the right tasks at the right time.
• Develop an authentic personal brand and leadership style that reflects your strengths and values, helping you stand out for the right reasons and attract more interesting work opportunities.

In the 2024 Australian Public Service (APS) Employee Census, 8.8% of respondents identified as neurodivergent, while an additional 9.3% were unsure of their neurodivergent status.

Supporting neurodivergent employees is not only a legal requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 but also a strategic opportunity. Research

from the Harvard Business Review indicates that, when appropriately supported, neurodivergent employees can be approximately 30% more productive than their neurotypical counterparts.

By encouraging and enabling your staff to attend this course, you will help to:

• build psychologically safe and inclusive teams
• retain high-potential employees who may otherwise experience burnout or disengagement
• enhance your agency’s ability to leverage diverse thinking and foster innovation