Please see below for frequently asked questions relating to ANZSOG’s Executive Master of Public Administration.
What are the entry requirements?
All EMPA applicants must demonstrate:
Applicants must also meet the Masters degree entry requirements of conferring universities, as facilitated through ANZSOG.
Can I undertake the EMPA if I do not have an undergraduate degree?
Yes, there is a defined pathway for Australian participants without an undergraduate degree through the EMPA Monash Pathways program and for Aotearoa-New Zealand participants, through the Victoria University Wellington pathway.
What is the application process?
Students must be nominated by their agency. EMPA applications are coordinated differently through each jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions Public Sector Commissions coordinate applications, in others individual agencies do. However, in all cases the sponsoring government or agency pays the program costs – including tuition fees, subject materials, accommodation and most meals.
Applications are encouraged from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and from people with disabilities or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
If you work for the governments of Western Australia, New South Wales or Victoria, please contact your department or agency’s Human Resources or Learning and Development team about your application or expression of interest.
If you work for the Northern Territory government, please contact the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; about your application or expression of interest.
If you work for the Aotearoa-New Zealand government, please contact Kate Wakelin at the Leadership Development Centre at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; about your application or expression of interest.
If you work for the Queensland government, your Public Sector Commission has a limited number of scholarships available for the program. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship via your jurisdiction’s Public Sector Commission, we encourage you to contact them for further information including dates for application submission.
Visit the EMPA page or contact +61 3 8344 1990 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.
When do applications close?
Applications for the forthcoming year will close on 4 October, 2021. Please contact us immediately if you would like an extension on your application deadline: +61 3 8344 1990 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please note: Some jurisdictions offer a small number of full and/or part scholarships via the jurisdiction’s PSC. The PSC's will often have earlier closing dates for EMPA applications. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship please consult your jurisdictional PSC for further information.
How much does the program cost?
As an indication for planning purpose, the cost of EMPA 2021 was $45,000 AUD or $48,500 NZD. EMPA 2022 program fees have not yet been finalised, they are subject to an annual increase. The price for 2022 will be communicated in the near future.
When will I/my agency be invoiced?
Invoices will be emailed to you/your agency invoice contact once you have been accepted into the course.
What is covered in the Program fee?
Program fees cover:
Can I self-fund my participation if my agency won't fund?
A student may enter into a salary sacrifice arrangement with their employer to attend the program. The student's employer will be billed the program fee. Discussed on a case-by-case basis with the applicant's sponsoring agency.
What is the university enrolment process?
As part of your application into the EMPA, ANZSOG will facilitate enrolment on your behalf into one of our conferring universities. When completing your EMPA application, you will also need to provide the following supporting documentation:
A certified copy is a photocopy of the original document with the signature and official stamp of an appropriate authority, confirming it is a true and accurate record.
Do you offer RPL/credit for previous study?
As a general principle, ANZSOG does not recognise prior learning and credit towards the EMPA degree. This is because the EMPA degree is a unique learning experience. Our subjects have been carefully designed to be distinctive offerings, different in content and in how they are delivered. Learning with peers with extensive government work experience is an integral part of the process of knowledge development. Given this, all students in the degree should plan to take all the required core subjects.
What is the time commitment of the program?
The EMPA is a two-year part-time postgraduate degree featuring eight core subjects and three electives.
The core subjects are delivered by ANZSOG and elective subjects are delivered by our conferring universities. Each subject consists of around 24 hours of instruction and at least 86 hours of study time, reading and assignment work.
What is the program structure?
The EMPA is a two-year postgraduate qualification undertaken by high performing public sector managers looking to increase their knowledge base, leadership and governing skills.
Participants are required to complete:
The EMPA is delivered through a dynamic blended learning approach, combining online classes with face-to-face learning and cross-jurisdictional networking opportunities. Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 across jurisdictions, the EMPA is currently being delivered in an online format. ANZSOG intends to move to a blended delivery model (part face to face, part online) as soon as circumstances allow.
University elective contact time is dictated by the student’s chosen university. Between formal, scheduled learning sessions, students also have coursework to complete. Students undertake an applied research work-based project subject throughout the second year of the program, which includes three progress review sessions throughout the year.
How many core subjects do I need to complete this year to progress to year 2?
It is recommended you complete as many first year subjects as possible. This will assist you to build important networks and connections within your cohort but also help in distributing your study load for Year 2 and avoiding overloading your study plan.
What electives can I take from my university?
Students complete three elective subjects offered by a conferring university. These are selected by the student to bridge their past study and experience with the core curriculum, or to enhance their knowledge of a specific policy area relevant to their career trajectory.
Electives are generally drawn from postgraduate offerings of the faculties or schools of business, commerce, economics, government, law and political and social science.
When does the program start?
Program commencement is early February of each year.
Is there a mid-year intake?
We do not offer a mid-year intake. Intake is annually with a commencement at the beginning of each calendar year.
Can I defer my studies?
Yes, you will need to apply in writing to ANZSOG to defer your studies. Forward all requests to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What are the attendance requirements?
You are expected to attend all components of the EMPA, including all scheduled sessions as this is important to achieve your learning outcomes and assist you with your assessment tasks.
Do I need to notify my university of changes to the ANZSOG delivered subjects?
ANZSOG will notify all universities of changes to delivery dates on your behalf. You may be required to update your enrolment online with your university. Further information is available on Canvas about managing your enrolment with your university, and also managing your electives.
What AV equipment do I require to facilitate online learning?
You will need a functioning device (computer, smartphone, tablet), stable Internet connection, headphones (the higher quality the better) and a camera (either built into your device or attached).
Do I need to download any software to participate?
Yes, you will need Zoom installed on your device. It will do this automatically when you click on your first webinar so just login five minutes before and allow it.
Will ANZSOG be available to assist with IT support during deliveries?
IT support will be available to students during designated teaching dates and times. Further information will be made available prior to the subject commencement.
When will the EMPA delivery schedule will be released?
Once you have been admitted into the EMPA a schedule will be available to you.
What time of day will the live sessions be run?
Timing will be determined subject by subject, to accommodate the different time zones of international faculty, and students across Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Is the subject going to be offered multiple times?
Each subject will be delivered only once.
Will online sessions be recorded?
No, we will not record the live webinars with your Subject Leads as they will be designed to be an interactive experience. Some EMPA subjects include videos to assist with learning and these are embedded in the online course page.
What if I have a conflict and cannot attend one (or more of the synchronous sessions)?
Attendance at each synchronous session is compulsory with attendance expectations still applicable for online delivery.
Will all assignments be group assignments or will there be a mix of group and individual assignments?
It is likely that there will be a mix of group and individual-based assignments. All assessments will be outlined in Canvas in advance of the subject commencement.
Is the intent that the group work component of subjects is effectively the same as it was pre-COVID?
Group work is still an integral element of the EMPA, and most subjects will still contain group work components. All assessments will be outlined in Canvas in advance of the subject commencement.
What is the cancellation policy?
ANZSOG aims to provide high-quality service at all levels of its operation and is committed to providing a timely and fair withdrawal procedure. ANZSOG prices its programs based on full capacity and incurs costs progressively throughout the lead-up to and delivery of programs. Should you be required to withdraw from the EMPA, the following policy and timelines apply. All fees are exclusive of GST.
Notice period: 7+ weeks prior to program commencement
Notice period: 4 weeks or less prior to program commencement
Notice period: Once program has commenced
Failure in EMPA:
Do I need managerial approval to attend the program?
Yes. In signing the application form, your manager agrees to support you to participate in the program and that your organisation assumes the full program fee if your application is successful.
How long is the program?
A two-year postgraduate qualification developed and delivered by ANZSOG exclusively for high-performing public sector managers.
How big is the cohort?
Average of 90-110 participants
What are the outcomes?
On completing this degree you will:
Will the delivery format be updated to face to face if the guidance and circumstances relating to travel restrictions ease for Australia, NZ and internationally next year?
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 across jurisdictions, the EMPA is currently being delivered in an online format. ANZSOG intends to move to a blended delivery model (part face to face, part online) as soon as circumstances allow.
ANZSOG will continue to deliver the EMPA online for the remainder of 2021, given the current approach towards managing responses to the pandemic and the timetable for vaccine rollout.
ANZSOG intends to move to a blended learning environment incorporating a mix of virtual and face-to-face contact in 2022, travel restrictions permitting. This will allow students to attend face-to-face classes and meet in person assuming various jurisdictional restrictions have eased.
Will ANZSOG be organising any face-to-face networking events if restrictions allow throughout the year (even state-based)?
ANZSOG is not currently planning any face-to-face cross-jurisdictional networking events.
Students from the same jurisdiction may wish to physically meet (within their state/territory’s guidelines) in groups to study on scheduled teaching days. There will also be multiple opportunities to collaborate with peers during the subject.
The attractive features about the ANZSOG EMPA are the opportunity to network with colleagues from other jurisdictions, delivery mode (intensive blocks) and learn about policy problems in situ. Will you incorporate these features into an online delivery format?
In moving to online, significant interaction between students and teaching faculty have been built in, in order to maintain the high standards of learning and engagement our EMPA students expect. Subjects will continue to include contributions from practitioners and subject matter experts and other guest speakers.
How do we interact with each other during the subject?
Interaction will include plenary sessions (all or most of the cohort joining a live webinar) and small group sessions in Zoom or Canvas Conferences facilitated by the Subject Lead. Some subjects will include the use of discussion forums for specific topics.
Students from the same jurisdiction may wish to physically meet in groups to study on scheduled teaching days. There will also be multiple opportunities to collaborate with peers during the subject.
Will there be group presentations and how do we meet with group members?
All assessments will be outlined and submitted in Canvas, the School's Learning Management System. You can access the assessments from both the homepage and the modules page in the course. Group presentations are common across many of the EMPA subjects.
Have presenters/professors or core content changed to deliver via this method?
No – our expert international and domestic faculty from leading universities around the world remain unchanged. The core content has been adapted to an online environment
Will ANZSOG provide a subject enrolment list with jurisdiction details so students can connect with other students in the same jurisdiction?
Students are encouraged to consult their EMPA Participant Booklet to identify fellow students residing in the same jurisdictions. Alternatively, students can find a list of enrolled students for each subject in Canvas. To navigate to the enrolled students' list, select the subject from your Canvas homepage, and then click “People” from the left-hand side toolbar.
Express your interest
Download EMPA 2022 brochure (pdf) (docx)
