Masters graduates are confident, critical thinkers with the skills required to manage complex challenges and deliver value to the communities they serve. Enrol in our program to prepare yourself – or the leaders in your team – for the many accountabilities of today’s public service.
Our graduates:
View the EMPA brochure (PDF)
Register your interest now to advance your career
Understand the core principles of public sector management.
Learn economic principles relevant to the public sector.
Accurately use, interpret and draw inference from sources to support informed action.
Examine the role of leadership in change.
Ensure your organisational practices are fit-for-purpose and adaptive.
Design policies and programs that yield ongoing public benefit.
Understand relevant law, convention, practice and ethics.
Find out how to use evidence-based analysis in policy design.
Our students complete eight core subjects and three electives over two years.
Each subject consists of around 40 hours of instruction and at least 80 hours of study time, reading and assignment work. Five of the core subjects are taught in residential intensive mode over a five-day block. Two core subjects are delivered in multiple cities over four days (students attending in their closest city). Students undertake the applied research Work-based Project subject throughout the second year of the program, which includes face-to-face sessions at the beginning, mid-point and end of the year.
Students choose their electives from subjects on offer at their university of enrolment.
Professor of Public Sector Management
ANZSOG/Melbourne Business School
Director, Institute for Governance and Policy Studies
School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington
Managing Public Sector Organisations focuses on the internal and external organisational factors that influence the successful management of public sector organisations. It examines the distinction between routine problems and crises or ‘wicked problems’. Students explore techniques that enhance efficacy, system-thinking and contextual awareness in public sector managers. Learning outcomes include:
Professor Michael Mintrom
Professor of Public Sector Management and Academic Director, EMPA
ANZSOG/Monash University
Government in a Market Economy examines key economic principles and their application to public sector activities to support decisions in allocating scarce resources, pricing and delivering goods and services. This subject explores how government intervention, through both private sector regulation and the public provision of services, can be used to achieve the best outcomes for citizens. Learning outcomes include:
Professor Ross GuestProfessor of EconomicsGriffith Business School, Griffith University
Designing Public Policies and Programs offers a framework for considering government responses to contemporary public problems. Students are encouraged to think analytically about problems, identify alternative ways of tackling them, and assess the likely results of changes in current policies and programs. Emphasis is given to the role of effective teamwork and clear communication in any well functioning advisory system. Learning outcomes include:
Decision-making Under Uncertainty teaches students how to dissect and critically appraise evidence to assess its quality and usefulness. Students analyse quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence and practical frameworks to determine how they can support informed action. Learning outcomes include:
Dr George Argyrous
Senior Lecturer, Evidence-Based Policy MakingANZSOG/ University of New South Wales
Governing by the Rules gives students an understanding of the law, convention, practice and ethics so they can develop and implement public policy. It develops the capacity of public managers to operate effectively and appropriately within a democracy governed by the rule of law. Learning outcomes include:
Professor Arie Freiberg AMEmeritus ProfessorMonash University
Leading Public Sector Change examines the role of leadership in assisting communities and organisations to deal with change. Contending perspectives on the complex nexus between leadership and change are used to examine the styles of leaders, the dynamics of leader–follower relations, and their implications for stability and change in the public sector. Learning outcomes include:
Professor Paul 't Hart
Professor of Public Administration (UU) and Associate Dean (NSG)Utrecht University (UU) and Netherlands School of Government (NSG)
The Work-based Project involves the practical application of the skills and knowledge gained throughout the degree. The final core subject of the EMPA, it bridges the worlds of classroom and practice as students undertake an applied research project. Diverse, cross-jurisdictional teams work together applying their knowledge and research skills to develop a solution for a real-life issue identified by government stakeholders. Its learning outcomes include:
Associate Professor Michael Di Francesco
Associate Professor in Public Sector Management and Director of the Case ProgramANZSOG/ University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Dr Zina O'Leary
Senior Fellow The Australia and New Zealand School of Government
Students complete three elective subjects offered by a partner university. One of these must be in the area of public sector financial management; the student selects the other two to bridge their past study and experience with the core curriculum, or to enhance their knowledge of a specific policy area. Electives are usually in the fields of business, commerce, economics, government, law and political science.
View the Masters brochure (PDF)
ANZSOG is renowned for its high quality teaching, which is a hallmark of the EMPA program.
Our faculty includes leading national and international academics who are expert in the public sector. We also draw on the expertise of practitioners from the not-for-profit and private sectors, because we know today’s managers must be able to work across sectors.
Our Academic Director is Professor Michael Mintrom, an internationally recognised expert in fields such as policy entrepreneurship and creating knowledge economies, teamwork in the policy process, creating organisational cultures of excellence, and assessing public policies as investments.
Professor Mintrom is also a Professor of Public Sector Management at Monash University and began his career at New Zealand Treasury before turning to teaching and research. He has studied and worked around the world, including at Michigan State University, US, and the University of Auckland, NZ, and holds a PhD in political science from the State University of New York, US, and a Master of Economics from University of Canterbury, NZ.
Our students have an opportunity to complete a module at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, through a partnership designed to help public sector leaders develop a global perspective and expand their learning opportunities.
The Lee Kuan Yew School has a longstanding partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and is dedicated to raising the standards of governance, improving the lives of people in the region and, ultimately, contributing to the transformation of Asia.
The opportunity to observe, listen, visit and immerse yourself into the Singaporean experience from a political and social perspective gave invaluable insights and would not have been able to be achieved from a theoretical viewpoint alone.
"Having EMPA graduates in executive-level roles in our department brings fresh approaches, tools and thinking to help improve our policies and programs. Our EMPA graduates have developed strong networks across agencies and jurisdictions to draw upon to help solve problems facing our department."
Finn Pratt AO
Secretary
Commonwealth Department of Social Services
ANZSOG knows what it takes to create world-class public sector leaders capable of managing the complex needs of today’s public service organisations to deliver maximum value to citizens.
ANZSOG programs are designed by government, for government, and not-for-profit organisations. The Masters is accredited by our partner universities in Australia and New Zealand.
This collaboration means our students are exposed to the best contemporary thinking about public administration from leading academics, and senior practitioners from the public, not-for-profit and private sectors.
Our internationally renowned faculty lead students through the curriculum using a diverse set of learning methods, including intensive residential blocks, and elective modules.
Students learn at university campuses across Australia and New Zealand through interactive case teaching, structured group learning, experiential learning and self-reflection exercises. They share issues, ideas and expertise with their peers going beyond the traditional lecture and tutorial format.
Our unique learning approach blends theory with practical and experiential teaching, and real-life case studies involving 'live' issues confronting the public sector. This learning method ensures our graduates emerge as confident, critical thinkers, well equipped to deliver positive outcomes for stakeholders and the public.
As well as developing leaders and building organisational capability, ANZSOG graduates forge lasting connections with peers and alumni, building networks of high-level government and non-government sector leaders that last long after graduation. These connections reach across organisations and jurisdictions, and can provide managers with valuable support to help address challenges throughout their careers.
We know the value of lifelong learning and we run a dynamic alumni program, which provides regular professional development and networking opportunities.
We offer a range of services and dedicated support staff to help you throughout your Masters experience.
Our students have busy lives and demanding work schedules so our Masters program offers the support and flexibility required to ensure you can balance the requirements of work, study and other competing demands on your time. By studying with other busy managers, you will share and learn useful life skills from one another.
Our Mentoring Program is a formal, monitored program that aims to support you and enhance your leadership journey.
"The EMPA was instrumental in opening up opportunities I would never have considered. The learnings enhanced my ability to help shape and influence the direction of change, both within my organisation, and in public policy and administration more broadly."
Teena Blewitt
First Assistant Secretary
Commonwealth Department of Finance
"I was fortunate enough to do the EMPA with some incredible people from around Australia and New Zealand, many of whom I am still in touch with today, and some of the lessons I have learnt from them were equally as important or as profound as the content I learnt from the lessons and tutorials."
Simon Phemister
Deputy Secretary, Economic Policy and State Productivity
Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria
Contact the Program Coordinator by submitting an expression of interest to start the application process.
To be accepted into the EMPA program, you must demonstrate:
Applicants should meet the master’s degree entry requirements of partner universities. ANZSOG provides Commonwealth and Victorian government, and not-for-profit, applicants with an application form and checklist of required supporting documentation. If you work in another jurisdiction, we'll put you in touch with the appropriate agency or public sector commission contact to coordinate your application:
View more information about the Masters (PDF)
Visit the not-for-profit page
ANZSOG creates and delivers industry-leading educational programs tailored to meet the needs of public and not-for-profit sector leaders, who face an array of distinct challenges.
Our two-year Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) prepares emerging your emerging leaders for the complex challenges that await them through the study of public administration, management and policy across a spectrum of public sector activities.
The learning environment is engaging and dynamic, with an emphasis on ‘live’ issues that confront governments, and on using sound conceptual frameworks.
Our graduates leave with a strong understanding of management, service delivery and policy analysis across the spectrum of public sector activities, and is equally relevant for not-for-profit organisations.
Those with strong leadership potential and a commitment to public service or the not-for-profit sector are ideal candidates for the Masters program. Individuals may also nominate themselves.
We recommend the Masters program for senior executives or high-performing, ambitious managers who demonstrate:
We encourage you to nominate Maori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The EMPA places considerable demands on students with already heavy schedules and it is essential they have support from their departments and managers. We ask managers how they will support a student’s participation and we encourage them to approve the study leave requirements before they submit an application. EMPA students complete 11 subjects over two years; each subject requires around 40 hours of instruction, mostly within work time, and 80 hours of private study. Students spend 30 to 35 days away from the workplace to attend the eight core subjects and require additional time to read materials and complete assignments. The three elective subjects may also involve teaching in work hours.
The mentoring component of the EMPA is an important aspect of supporting students’ learning and leadership development. Students must nominate a mentor who can provide guidance and encouragement during their studies. This relationship can provide an invaluable ongoing resource.
The sponsoring agency, jurisdiction or organisation pays program costs, which include the tuition fee, subject materials, meals and accommodation for residential subjects. Travel to and from subject delivery is additional.
Complete the Expression of Interest form to request more information about fees, application forms and application deadlines.
The ANZSOG experience reaches well beyond the classroom. The national and international networks our students establish during the EMPA are invaluable as their careers progress and they move into more demanding roles. Our Alumni Program helps our students to maintain and build on their peer-to-peer relationships, creating a broad community of like-minded managers from around New Zealand and Australia. This provides an opportunity for ongoing learning and support from peers, greater exposure to different perspectives, and an appreciation of work done, and solutions found, elsewhere.
Our students will have opportunities to apply new learnings and insights to their workplace and will be encouraged to share their learnings with others.
We encourage managers to facilitate such opportunities for students to ‘give back’ and add further value as a result of their studies.
If you want to find out more about the Masters program, please complete the Expression of Interest form and we will be in touch with you.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +61 3 8344 1990
"I am more assured and focused when I tackle challenges at work. I have also applied the course learning to help myself, my team and colleagues to manage the ongoing changes to the organisation and the public service."
Liem Ngo
Principal Manager, Project Coordination and Government Liaison
Transport for NSW
