Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management)

Name: Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management)
Author: Queensland University of Technology

Career investment

'QUT's PSMP empowers you to grow both professionally and personally, shaping you into a stronger leader. It delves into your psyche, unpacking your leadership identity, understanding why you do what you do, while recognising your skills, strengths and identifying areas for development. I've left PSMP with a better understanding of myself as future leader, with desire to continue to grow and the confidence to succeed.'

Craig Hunter
Queensland Government

It changed my perspective

The PSMP has provided me with a best practice toolkit that allows me to look at complex problems from a very different perspective. It has also reinforced the importance of ensuring the teams I lead within my organisation build strong relationships with stakeholders to develop and implement well-informed and innovative solutions to address these challenges. Read more

Helen Dogan

Gain knowledge and confidence

‘The Public Sector Management Program (PSMP) was both challenging and rewarding and I gained a rich understanding of the systems of government. Having not undertaken any tertiary studies before, completing the PSMP instilled a new confidence around learning, resulting in my continuation of further postgraduate studies through QUT.’

Jeffery Ropati
NSW Department of Education

Lead in the public sector

‘The Public Sector Management Program provided me with knowledge of national and global contemporary business practices that I now apply directly to the workplace. Working with colleagues across the public sector gave me a greater depth of understanding of the similar challenges we face in a complex public sector environment and the important role we plays as managers and leaders.’

Carolyn Paterson

Career investment

Craig Hunter
Queensland Government

It changed my perspective

Helen Dogan

Gain knowledge and confidence

Jeffery Ropati
NSW Department of Education

Lead in the public sector

Carolyn Paterson

Career investment

Craig Hunter
Queensland Government

It changed my perspective

Helen Dogan

Gain knowledge and confidence

Jeffery Ropati
NSW Department of Education

Lead in the public sector

Carolyn Paterson

Highlights

Become a leader in the public sector, gaining the confidence and expertise to make a positive difference.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the business and inner workings of government.
A strong balance between academic theory and hands-on practical skills will ensure your learning can be applied directly in your workplace.
Join an impressive national alumni network of public service and government leaders.
Graduate in just 15 months with our flexible and dynamic delivery style.
For current blended and virtual offerings, please refer to the timetables below under ‘what to expect’.
Undertake a work-based project that delivers real outcomes for your organisation.
Expand your studies and receive credit (advanced standing) towards relevant QUT master's degrees.

Highlights

Become a leader in the public sector, gaining the confidence and expertise to make a positive difference.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the business and inner workings of government.
A strong balance between academic theory and hands-on practical skills will ensure your learning can be applied directly in your workplace.
Join an impressive national alumni network of public service and government leaders.
Graduate in just 15 months with our flexible and dynamic delivery style.
For current blended and virtual offerings, please refer to the timetables below under ‘what to expect’.
Undertake a work-based project that delivers real outcomes for your organisation.
Expand your studies and receive credit (advanced standing) towards relevant QUT master's degrees.

Real-world learning

QUT delivers a holistic, theoretically rigorous and real-world focused program through an innovative workplace blended learning framework.

You will undertake a workplace project delivering real outcomes for your organisations.

Explore this course

What to expect

QUT has delivered the Public Sector Management Program nationally for Commonwealth, State and Local Governments for a decade.

Offered to both public sector and non-government organisation (NGO) staff, the program provides an engaging and relevant curriculum, delivered through a unique blend of work-based learning, workshops and a virtual learning environment.

For more information download a copy of the Public Sector Management Program brochure (PDF file, 2.4 MB).

Experts in business and government education

Since its inception in Adelaide in 1991 and national rollout in 1992, the PSMP boasts over three decades of proven success. With such a trusted program, you can feel confident knowing you’ll gain industry-relevant knowledge needed to navigate the public sector effectively.

Drawing on over a decade of experience delivering the PSMP, QUT’s team of academics and industry professionals will equip you with essential skills and expertise to advance into leadership roles.

Enhance your management and leadership skills

Specifically designed in consultation with the governments of Australia, the Public Sector Management Program is all about developing your management skills in the business of government.

Course timetables

Timetables are available for the below state cohorts:

2024-2025 timetables

2025-2026 timetables

Flexible delivery

Designed to maximise workplace learning, this national curriculum employs a blend of workshops (face to face or virtual delivery), workplace projects, case studies and an online learning environment offering participants access to QUT’s library database, PSMP cohort Canvas (online learning software), weblinks, videos and PDF e-books.

Duration

The four-unit course is delivered over 15 months.

Assessment items

Assignments will be marked by the unit facilitator in accordance with standard assessment criteria and moderated nationally to ensure consistency.

Student support

QUT supports participants throughout the course, delivering a high-quality learning experience with a national team of committed administrative and academic staff.

As a PSM Program participant you will be enrolled as a QUT student before the start of the program. You will have access to student support such as QUT library access and library support, learning support and academic writing support.

Careers and outcomes

Possible careers

Assistant director
Director
Manager
Program manager
Project manager

Details and units

Program content

The public sector management program is designed in collaboration with the governments of Australia to meet the needs of the contemporary public sector. It consists of four core units.

Unit One: GSZ631 Managing within the Context of Government

GSZ631 provides the 'big picture' of government and the context within which public sector managers operate. It develops an understanding of the institutional frameworks and conventions which guide practice and ensure sustainable democratic processes.

Unit Two: GSZ632 Managing Self and Others

GSZ632 provides insights into key individual and group behaviours, and offers skills for communicating and managing people and teams.

Unit Three: GSZ633 Managing Outwards in a Networked Government

GSZ633 explores the variety of relationships that managers need to build across the public sector and outside it - with the private sector, with community and not-for-profit sector and with citizens and clients of government services.

Unit Four: GSZ634 Managing Operations for Outcomes

GSZ634 builds on the overall operational capabilities of managers and provides them with highly effective and appropriate tools, processes and diagnostic capabilities to deliver and sustain the business of government. This unit also includes a workplace project.

Course coordinators are located across Australia with administrative support staff in Brisbane and Canberra.

Requirements

Course code: GZ35

Delivery

Online
Gardens Point

Delivery

Online
Gardens Point
Kelvin Grove

Duration: 15 months part-time

Entry: March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October

Entry

Entry requirements

You must either have a:

recognised bachelor degree in any discipline with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.50 (on QUT's 7-point scale) plus have at least 3 years full-time (or equivalent) post-degree professional work experience with a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent) supervisory/management professional work experience; or
minimum of 7 years full-time (or equivalent) professional work experience with a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent) supervisory/management professional work experience.

Supervisory experience is experience either supervising staff or managing complex groups of stakeholders.

Additional entry requirements

You must provide with your online application a:

short CV demonstrating relevant work experience
completed applicant suitability assessment form (DOCX file, 97.8 KB)
completed financial authorisation form (DOCX file, 101.5 KB)

You may be required to:

attend an interview
sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) (the worldwide standard in aptitude assessment for admission to postgraduate management programs), and achieve a minimum score of 550. GMAT details (PDF file, 271.8 KB)

Minimum academic requirements

Entry requirements

You must either have a:

completed recognised bachelor degree in any discipline with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.50 (on QUT's 7-point scale) plus have at least 2 years full-time (or equivalent) post-degree professional work experience plus a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent) supervisory/management professional work experience; or
minimum of 6 years full-time (or equivalent) professional work experience plus a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent) supervisory/management professional work experience.

Supervisory experience is experience either supervising staff or managing complex groups of stakeholders.

Additional entry requirements

You must provide with your application:

your current IMMI grant notification
your current current passport
a short CV demonstrating relevant work experience
a Statement of Service for your current position
the completed financial authorisation form (DOCX file, 101.5 KB)

Minimum English language requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.

Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

English Test
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake
Overall	6.5
Listening	6
Reading	6
Writing	6
Speaking	6
Cambridge English Score You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
Overall	176
Listening	169
Reading	169
Writing	169
Speaking	169
PTE Academic
Overall	58
Listening	50
Reading	50
Writing	50
Speaking	50
TOEFL iBT
Overall	79
Listening	16
Reading	16
Writing	21
Speaking	18

English Test	Overall	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake	6.5	6	6	6	6
Cambridge English Score You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.	176	169	169	169	169
PTE Academic	58	50	50	50	50
TOEFL iBT	79	16	16	21	18

Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2026 fees

2026: Fee available from July

2026 fees

2025 fees

2025: $3,175 per unit (12 credit points)

2025 fees

FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

You may also be eligible for

Centrelink payments

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