The Organisational Development team are excited to support staff interested in enrolling in a Graduate Diploma in Local Government Leadership and Management, launching October 2025, with Federation University.
We are seeking nominations for staff members who would benefit from, and fully engage with, an incredible opportunity to develop their practical leadership skills. This program is designed to support participants in building confidence, enhancing their leadership capabilities, and advancing their career development.
This is a chance to invest in emerging leaders who are ready to take the next step in their professional journey. This course provides a good opportunity for participants to improve their leadership, people management, communication, budgeting, project management and governance skills with a specific focus on local government.
Please submit your Expressions of Interest via email to Dani Gerresheim via Dani.Gerresheim@cgd.vic.gov.au by close of business Thursday 4 September.
Graduate Diploma in Local Government Leadership and Management
There are 79 councils in Victoria, and all are unique in their size, the types of services they offer and the issues in the communities they serve. However, there are also many legislative requirements and common themes this course will explore.
The Graduate Diploma in Local Government Leadership and Management is co-designed and co-delivered with experts who have many years of experience in the sector. Each unit is a blend of academic theory and research, combined with real-world case studies and contemporary learnings. You’ll learn direct from those who work for councils at a senior level, and you’ll have the chance to meet fellow participants from other councils to build your network of contacts.
Staff can undertake the number of units you want to match your goals, areas of learning interest and future academic aspirations.
For example:
- One unit completed – such as the Introduction to Local Government and Governance unit that provides a good general overview. Acknowledgement of successful completion is given for standalone units, and there’s the opportunity to build on this with further units for a formal qualification when you’re ready (as outlined below).
- Four units completed – participants graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Leadership and Management.
- Eight units completed - participants graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Local Government Leadership and Management.
- 12 units completed – by adding four more units in a related field to the Graduate Diploma (eight units), participants successfully obtain a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
The course will launch with the first unit Introduction to Local Government and Governance (DLGLM1000) in Ballarat over a five-day, full-time block from 20 to 24 October 2025 and will be offered in other areas in 2026. In this unit, students will attend lectures and work together and individually on assignments based on contemporary and emerging trends in local government. The unit covers the foundations, requirements and responsibilities of leaders and managers to instil an understanding of relevant concepts in accountability, transparency, and collaborative and ethical practices.
Students will be challenged to analyse and understand the current and emerging issues involved in delivering public value outcomes to local communities.
The remaining units will be offered in 2026-27, including:
- DLGLM1001 – Local Government Leadership
- DLGLM1002 – Project Management in Local Government
- DLGLM1003 – Public Finance and Budgeting
- DLGLM1004 – Sustainable Management in Local Government
- DLGLM1005 – Planning and Economic Development
- DLGLM1006 – Human Resource Management in Local Government
- DLGLM1007 – Connecting with Stakeholders and Communities