Public Sector Leadership

Writing Policy: The Basics

Build the skills to write policy with clarity and confidence.

Mode of delivery
Face-to-face

Duration
1 half-day

Investment
From $355

Overview

This half-day workshop introduces participants to the essentials of public policy writing, covering key elements of effective style, structure, and audience engagement. You’ll explore a variety of common policy documents such as briefing notes and cabinet submissions and learn how to translate complex ideas into concise, clear language. Through practical exercises and case studies, you’ll sharpen your ability to develop polished, professional policy documentation.

Designed especially for those new to the public sector or transitioning into policy-focused roles, it equips participants with confidence and clarity in their writing.

What you will study

In this short course, you will explore a range of engaging modules designed to deepen your understanding of good policy writing, the range of policy documents that are commonly used, and how to explain complex ideas in clear terms:

Understanding what is public policy, and the range of forms it can take
Gain a familiarity of the range of different policy documents, such as briefing notes and cabinet submissions
Identify when a policy document can be useful, and how they can be developed
Understand the principles of clear writing
Gain a familiarity of the conventions and style of writing for the public sector
Using case studies and practical exercises develop your policy writing skills

Who should attend

This course is pitched those new to the public sector, and those new to roles which requires policy writing. This course is aimed for staff seeking to understand or develop their policy writing skills.

The training can be taken through the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) more information under IPAA training link.

The training can also be delivered in-house for a public sector cohort. Please register interest to enquire about this option.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this short course participants will be able to:

Understand a broad range of different policy documents
Gain an introduction to the principles and ideas that shape good policy writing
Understand the features of a good policy document
Have a practical experience of writing policy

Benefits to You and Your Organisation

Help you produce more effective policy documents
How to write documents for a range of different audiences
Help improve the quality of policy outputs from your organisation or agency

Enquiries

Contact:

Jessica Genauer

jessica.genauer@flinders.edu.au

+61 8 7421 9896

Course details

Structure and Assessment

1 half-day
9:30am - 12:30pm (9:15am registration)

Inclusions

Workbook, morning tea and refreshments

Location
12 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000
(room location to be advised closer to date)
View map

Costs
Personal Member $355
State Govt Employee Member $390
Corporate Member $405
Non-Member $440

The facilitator may vary but will be a Flinders University Facilitator. This course is also available in-agency. Please contact us for further information

Assessment

Course assessment is designed to help you apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout the program to your professional context. Assessment includes: Participation, Quizzes, Case Study Brief and an Engagement Plan.

Course cancellation & refunds

Courses are subject to sufficient registrations. Flinders University reserves the right to cancel a course. If a course is cancelled, you will have the opportunity to transfer your registration or be issued a full refund. If a registrant cancels within 14 calendar days of course commencement, a 50% registration fee will apply.

Facilitators

Associate Professor Rob Manwaring

Rob Manwaring is a senior lecturer in the College of Business, Law and Government. Rob's background is in public policy, and worked for the UK's Commission for Racial Equality as a senior policy adviser, and also for the South Australian Council of Social Services.

Since completing his PhD at Flinders in 2010, he teaches a range of policy and politics topics, and researches into the areas of centre-left political parties, democratic politics, and public policy. Most recently, his edited collection (with Paul Kennedy from the University of Bath) 'Why the Left Loses' (Policy Press) examined the electoral fortunes of the family of centre-left political parties and the ongoing crisis of social democracy.

Tim O'Loughlin

Tim's professional life started as a political staffer, culminating in his appointment as chief-of-staff to Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs. This was followed by 15 years in commercial roles in the petroleum sector. He then worked for another 15 years in four different roles in the South Australian Government public service.

The last two of these roles were as CEO of the Department of Transport and Urban Development and as Commissioner for Renewable Energy. Tim has been teaching in university public policy schools for the past 12 years.