The Australian National University (ANU) APS First Nations Graduate Certificate of Management Program

Evidence-based management framework. Dedicated academic support. Mentoring and pastoral care.

Gain a foundation of knowledge, skills and applications across management disciplines and address the challenges of managing in a complex, rapidly changing and uncertain world.

A collaboration between the ANU College of Business and Economics (CBE), the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre, and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), this program delivers seven key learning outcomes:

  • evaluate and reflect on evidence to inform decision-making
  • explore opportunities and novel solutions to challenges
  • work effectively with others to resolve challenges
  • adapt to complex and uncertain situations
  • engage, inform and influence stakeholders
  • incorporate the influence of a changing global environment into decision-making
  • demonstrate ethical behaviour and make principled decisions.

Core modules

Students will undertake the following four modules as a cohort. The design and content of each module are tailored to the APS context.

Government decision-making and Indigenous communities in contemporary society

Explores Indigenous peoples in contemporary Australian society, the examination of Australian law, and history of British settlement and the affect law has had on Aboriginal societies in the last 250 years.

Evidence-based management

Provides knowledge on different levels of evidence-related skills to develop effective decision-making and business practice.

Technology and project management

Introduces the principles of project management in a modern business environment and covers concepts and management of technological systems.

Organisational behaviour

Provides evidence-based understanding of human behaviours and decision-making, and theory-informed practices on human performance, work satisfaction, work motivation, organisational teams, group decision-making, and leadership.

Awards and news

2023 NIAA graduates

2024 ABDC Network Award

Management Program recognised with Australian Business Deans Council 2024 Network Award for Teaching and Learning.

NAIDOC Award

2024 ACT NAIDOC Award

Program receives 2024 ACT NAIDOC Award for Non-Indigenous Organisation’s Contribution to the Indigenous Community.

 

Program handbook

The 2026 APS First Nations Graduate Certificate of Management Program Handbook provides you with further information about the program, delivery of teaching, and support available, as well as a broader overview of studying at the ANU College of Business and Economics.

Download the handbook

Program overview

The APS First Nations Graduate Certificate of Management Program is delivered by a team of award-winning academic and professional staff in the Research School of Management and the ANU College of Business and Economics.

This 12-month program comprises of:

  • On-campus induction (end of January)
  • Module 1: Government decision-making (February – March)
  • Module 2: Evidence-based management (April – June)
  • Module 3: Technology and project management (July – September)
  • Module 4: Organisational behaviour (October – December)

Each module comprises a one-week intensive study on ANU campus in Canberra, followed by seven weeks (every Thursday, weekly) of remote learning through Microsoft Teams. Canberra-based participants are welcome to attend the classroom on campus during the remote-learning period.

Eligibility conditions

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in the APS who are:

  • in at least a substantive APS level 4 position with completion of a Diploma of Government; or
  • in at least a substantive APS level 5 without Diploma of Government.

Application process

The application package includes:

  • an application form to be obtained from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) at workforcecapability@niaa.gov.au
  • CV clearly identifying periods of full-time and part-time employment experience, including names and contact details of two referees who can verify the experience
  • written support from SES-level APS Branch or Regional Manager (or alternative SES position as appropriate)
  • attachments of relevant academic records and qualifications obtained from previous studies from high-school level and higher
  • an application for ANU Domestic Postgraduate Coursework Admission.

 

Previous participating APS Agencies and Departments

  • Attorney-General’s Department
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • Department of Defence
  • Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
  • Department of Finance
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
  • Department of Home Affairs
  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Department of Social Services
  • National Disability Insurance Agency
  • National Indigenous Australians Agency
  • Parliamentary Workplace Support Services
  • Services Australia
  • The Treasury

 Our alumni have obtained new employment and promotion opportunities across the APS. Beyond the above list, our alumni are now working in the following additional Agencies and Departments.

  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  • Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Locations of program participants

Participants in this program have come from all States and Territories in Australia.

  • Approximately 75 per cent did not have prior University qualifications.
  • More than 60 per cent are located outside the ACT.
  • About a third are from regional and remote locations.

Student satisfaction

  • 99 per cent are satisfied with the program for having met their expectations.
  • 98 per cent are satisfied with the program for having enhanced their management knowledge.
  • 93 per cent are satisfied with the program for having contributed to their career progression.
  • 100 per cent will recommend the program to others.

Pat Turner Scholars

To date, we have a record of four Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Pat Turner Scholars who have previously completed the APS First Nations Graduate Certificate of Management Program.

  • Sophie Bloomfield (Department of Defence) – Master of Business Information Systems
  • Dolly Nye (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) – Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Diane Takurit (Department of Finance) – Master of Public Administration

Support available to participants

Participants in this program are provided with various sources and types of support including:

  • program fees and an agreed amount of study leave from the sponsored agencies and departments
  • liaison between ANU team, NIAA Workforce Capability team, and each participant’s home agency or department
  • access to the Tjabal Centre
  • a dedicated team of award-winning academic and professional staff at ANU
  • guidance from tutors and program mentors
  • career-development opportunities.

Key academic staff

Professor Steven Roberts

Steven is the Dean of the ANU College of Business and Economics. Under his leadership, ANU has made significant progress towards reconciliation, including an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff at CBE, and new cultural-competency initiatives that professional and academic staff can engage in. Steven is deeply engaged in the APS First Nations Graduate Certificate of Management Program and supportive of various other initiatives related to reconciliation.

Professor Vinh Lu

Vinh is the Director of the ANU Research School of Management. He is a champion of work-integrated learning, student employability and student global mobility. His education and leadership endeavours have received significant funding and recognition at the university, national and international levels.

Professor Anne Martin AM

Anne is a Yuin Aboriginal woman who was born and raised in La Perouse, Sydney. Throughout Aunty Anne’s life, she has always held close to her heart and mind the advancement of Indigenous rights and Indigenous people more broadly. In 2012, Aunty Anne moved to Canberra to take up the position of Director of the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre at ANU.

Distinguished Professor Asmi Wood

Asmi’s current research and publications include areas such as constitutional recognition of Indigenous people in Australia and Indigenous participation in higher education. His PhD focused on international criminal law and humanitarian law and examined the legality or otherwise of the use of force by non-state actors under international law and, in cases, domestic Australian law.

Ann Smith

Ann has been managing, educating and consulting across the Australia-Pacific region for over four decades, in the private, public and community sectors. A multi-award-winning educator, she convenes the Evidence-Based Management module.

Professor Sigi Goode

Sigi is a Professor of Information Systems. An academic leader with multiple accolades, he convenes the Technology and Project Management module.

Associate Professor David Cheng

David is an Associate Professor in leadership and management with significant track record of engagement with the APS. An award-winning educator, he is the convenor of the Organisational Behaviour module.

Jess Bulger

Jess is Wiradjuri from Tumut and Brungle in country NSW. She is the Program Mentor for current students and alumni of the APS First Nations Graduate Certificate of Management Program.

Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre

The Tjabal Centre provides a meeting place and support base for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff at ANU.

The Tjabal Centre offers:

  • academic support and advice
  • pastoral care and personal support
  • access to quality tuition
  • advice on internships and scholarships
  • links to ANU services, such as the health centre, careers and academic skills
  • outreach initiatives to prospective ANU students
  • study spaces.

For further details about the Tjabal Centre, visit their website here.


Contact us

Contact Léa Raich, Senior Student Services Officer, at niaa.cbe@anu.edu.au with any administration questions or concerns.