UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance

UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance The UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) brings experienced, senior leaders together with UTS subject matter expertise to create public good.

We are an independent institute focused on driving excellence in public policy & decision-making Based at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (UTS:IPPG) is a leading group of researchers and practitioners in the areas of public administration and policy, social research, stakeholder engagement, and leadership. We undertake applied social and behavioural and academic research, policy advisory, graduate education and professional development training. We are recognised as an independent source of research and policy advice by federal, state, territory and local governments as well as the non-government sector. The UTS:IPPG team works closely and maintains extensive professional networks within the university and with governments; industry; not-for-profit and community based organisations across Australia and internationally. The UTS Centre for Local Government (UTS:CLG) is part of the UTS:IPPG, and continues to be a leader in local government research, teaching and advisory.

Working in the building industry and want a clearer understanding of the Building Code of Australia?The ABC of the Build...
17/09/2026

Working in the building industry and want a clearer understanding of the Building Code of Australia?

The ABC of the Building Code of Australia course gives you a practical, one-day introduction to the National Construction Code and its application to residential building work. Ideal for professionals in building, construction, certification, planning and compliance roles.

Delivered online on Thu 19 Nov 2026, this course will help you:

✅ Understand how the BCA is structured, interpreted and applied
✅ Explore key provisions for Class 1 and Class 10 buildings
✅ Navigate the relationship between legislation, performance requirements and Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions
✅ Build confidence tackling real-world compliance scenarios
✅ Learn from experienced industry presenters with decades of hands-on expertise

No prerequisites required. Whether you're new to the industry or brushing up your knowledge, this is a solid starting point for building regulatory understanding.

Presented by the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance, drawing on real-world expertise and evidence-based learning to support better outcomes across government and industry.

Visit our website to find out more and secure your place.

Know your code. This course will guide you through the Building Code of Australia, focusing on its hierarchy, general rules and legislation.

Is your organisation still busy delivering activities, but losing sight of the outcomes it set out to achieve?It is a ph...
15/09/2026

Is your organisation still busy delivering activities, but losing sight of the outcomes it set out to achieve?

It is a phenomenon known as purpose drift and it is one of the biggest challenges facing mission-driven organisations today. Working hard is not the same as making an impact.

In this article, UTS IPPG Industry Fellow Duncan Rintoul explores why outcomes-focused evaluation matters more than ever and how organisations can shift from asking "What did we do?" to "Did our actions actually make a difference?"

Organisations that embed strong evaluative thinking tend to:

✅ Clarify their purpose from the start
✅ Build reflection into everyday delivery
✅ Connect decisions to evidence rather than just reporting on it
✅ Create psychological safety so honest learning can happen

Duncan also unpacks why tools like a theory of change are far from bureaucratic paperwork. They are a strategic asset that brings intentional design to programs from day one.

With community needs evolving quickly and public trust in institutions harder to earn, the organisations that thrive will be those that can clearly articulate their purpose, rigorously assess their impact and adapt using evidence and learning.

Ready to help your team move beyond outputs and build genuine outcomes-focused evaluation practice? Visit our website to read the full article and explore our Outcomes-Focused Program Evaluation short course, designed for practitioners across government, not-for-profit and industry sectors.

Every organisation begins with a purpose. A government initiative is launched to improve community wellbeing. A not-for-profit forms to support vulnerable...

Working towards Class 2-9 building certification? Our Advanced Building Regulation course dives deep into the National C...
10/09/2026

Working towards Class 2-9 building certification? Our Advanced Building Regulation course dives deep into the National Construction Code (NCC) and Building Code of Australia (BCA) to help you confidently assess, certify and regulate complex commercial, multi-residential and public buildings.

Delivered by industry experts Stephen Krimmer, Craig Squires and Michael Wynn-Jones, this course draws on decades of real-world certification experience to strengthen your regulatory decision-making.

By completing this course, you will be able to:
✅ Understand the role of the BCA for large-scale buildings (Class 2-9)
✅ Assess large buildings through the certification process
✅ Apply the theory and practice of BCA compliance
✅ Analyse performance solutions where deemed-to-satisfy requirements cannot be met
✅ Navigate Volume One of the BCA for complex building projects
✅ Assess fire resistance, access and egress, and services and equipment requirements
✅ Build broad knowledge across the entire BCA including health, amenity and energy efficiency
✅ Interpret and apply the BCA to real-world case studies

📅 Next intake: 12-13 November and 10-11 December 2026
💻 Delivered online via live video link
🎯 Designed for building surveyors, certifiers, architects, planners, compliance officers, building inspectors and construction professionals

This course can also be tailored for in-house delivery to suit your organisation's needs.

Visit our website to find out more and secure your place. Places are limited, so don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your regulatory expertise with UTS IPPG.

Do you assess complex multi-storey residential, commercial and industrial buildings? Learn the most up-to-date theory and practice for interpreting...

🏊 Swimming pool compliance is a critical safety issue for councils and certifiers across NSW – are you confident you're ...
03/09/2026

🏊 Swimming pool compliance is a critical safety issue for councils and certifiers across NSW – are you confident you're getting it right?

Join UTS IPPG for our Swimming Pool Assessments and Compliance course, running online on Thu 5 & Fri 6 November 2026.

Designed for A1–A3 certifiers, accredited certifiers, council staff and swimming pool installers, this two-day course will help you build the practical skills needed to assess and inspect pools with confidence.

By the end of the course you'll be able to:
✅ Understand NSW swimming pool legislation and recent amendments
✅ Clarify the roles and responsibilities of councils and accredited certifiers
✅ Confidently assess and inspect new and existing swimming pools
✅ Issue swimming pool compliance certificates
✅ Develop a robust swimming pool inspection program

Learn from industry experts Stephen Krimmer and Kate Stoner, who bring decades of combined experience in planning, local government and building compliance – including Kate's work as an expert witness in Land and Environment Court cases.

📅 Thu 5 & Fri 6 November 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
💻 Online via live video link
💲 $1,468 (GST free)

Please note: this course does not satisfy requirements for the E1 swimming pool certifier accreditation category. Visit the NSW Fair Trading website for accredited E1 training providers.

Places are limited – visit our website to enrol now or find out more about tailored in-house training options for your team.

Learn how to assess and inspect new and existing swimming pools, issue swimming pool compliance certificates, and develop a swimming pool inspection program.

Building better, safer homes starts with understanding the rules that govern them 🏡Our Building Regulation Course gives ...
27/08/2026

Building better, safer homes starts with understanding the rules that govern them 🏡

Our Building Regulation Course gives professionals working in the housing sector (Class 1 and 10 buildings) the practical skills to confidently apply the National Construction Code and related regulations.

📅 Block one: Thu 29 – Fri 30 October 2026 (online via live video link)
📅 Block two: Thu 26 – Fri 27 November 2026 (face-to-face at UTS City Campus)
🕘 9.00am – 5.00pm each day
💷 $3,089 (GST free)

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
✅ Apply building regulations directly to your everyday work
✅ Understand the legal framework for designing, constructing, inspecting and certifying Class 1 and 10 buildings
✅ Confidently navigate general, performance and deemed-to-satisfy requirements under Volume 2 of the BCA
✅ Identify and resolve key issues within the certification framework

Ideal for building surveyors, certifiers, architects, builders and planners who want practical, real-world knowledge from experienced industry leaders. This course is also a great introduction for those new to certification and can be tailored for in-house delivery to suit your organisation's needs.

Led by industry experts Stephen Krimmer and Craig Squires, who bring decades of combined experience in planning, sustainability and building certification.

Visit our website to find out more and secure your place.

This course focuses on interpreting and applying regulatory requirements for dwellings and outbuildings under the Building Code of Australia and NSW...

Leading complex projects takes more than good intentions. It takes advanced skills, sharp judgement and the ability to b...
19/08/2026

Leading complex projects takes more than good intentions. It takes advanced skills, sharp judgement and the ability to bring teams together under pressure.

Our Advanced Project Management course helps project leaders build practical, high-level capability to navigate competing demands, manage stakeholders and steer projects through change.

📅 Wed 21 Oct and Wed 28 Oct 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 UTS City Campus
⏳ Two sessions (16 hours total)

By the end of this course you will be able to:

✅ Respond confidently to a project brief and gain sponsor approval
✅ Scope and initiate complex projects with clarity
✅ Manage trade-offs across time, cost and quality
✅ Apply risk management and project scope controls
✅ Lead and motivate high-performing project teams
✅ Manage change and resolve project issues effectively
✅ Evaluate outcomes and capture lessons learned

Delivered by experienced facilitator John Le Mesurier, whose background spans project and change management training across government and industry in Australia and the UK, this course combines real-world insight with practical tools you can apply straight away.

Ideal for those who already lead projects, programs or policy initiatives and want to strengthen their leadership, strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills.

In-house delivery is also available for organisations wanting tailored training for their teams.

Visit our website to learn more and secure your place. Places are limited.

This course is delivered by the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance, dedicated to building capability and driving excellence in public policy and governance.

This advanced project management course provides project managers with the advanced tools necessary for managing projects effectively, within the context of...

Is your program evaluation actually improving outcomes? Or just ticking a box?Strong evaluation frameworks help you trac...
19/08/2026

Is your program evaluation actually improving outcomes? Or just ticking a box?

Strong evaluation frameworks help you track progress, make better decisions and build a genuine culture of learning within your organisation. Our Program Evaluation course gives you the applied skills to make that happen.

Starting Wed 21 October 2026, this three-session course (15 hours total) combines face-to-face learning at UTS City Campus with two live online sessions. You will work through Program Logic and other practical tools, using your own workplace case studies to build evaluation frameworks that connect directly to your organisational goals.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

✅ Develop an outcomes-focused evaluation plan aligned with project goals and organisational priorities
✅ Identify key evaluation questions, indicators and data collection methods for different contexts
✅ Apply practical tools to measure program effectiveness and assess outcomes
✅ Interpret and communicate evaluation findings to support evidence-based decision-making
✅ Strengthen project design by embedding evaluation throughout the project lifecycle
✅ Recognise common evaluation challenges and apply strategies for reliable results

Led by experienced evaluation practitioners Duncan Rintoul and Dr George Argyrous, this course is ideal for professionals in program delivery, project management, policy development or service design across government, not-for-profit and community sectors.

Places are limited. Visit our website to learn more and secure your spot.

Program evaluation is a valuable tool for strengthening the quality of programs and improving outcomes. Evaluation provides an opportunity for critical,...

Do you work in community development or social planning and want to create real, lasting change in your community?Shift ...
18/08/2026

Do you work in community development or social planning and want to create real, lasting change in your community?

Shift your thinking from "development for" to "development with". Our two-day Community Development Course gives you the practical tools and contemporary theory to lead effective, sustainable community change.

📅 Thu 17 - Fri 18 September 2026
📍 UTS City Campus
⏰ 9.00am – 5.00pm

What you'll gain:

✅ A solid grounding in community development theory and practice
✅ Practical skills for mapping and engaging community stakeholders
✅ A staged approach to planning and delivering community development
✅ The ability to think strategically about place using social, cultural, economic and environmental drivers
✅ Insight into common challenges and how to plan for them
✅ Better ways to manage and communicate with decision-makers and funders

Delivered by Edwina Deakin, an experienced community engagement practitioner with over 25 years' experience across government and consulting, this interactive workshop combines expert-led content with group discussions and hands-on activities.

Whether you work in local or state government, the not-for-profit sector or industry, this course is designed to strengthen your community development practice at any stage of your career.

Visit our website to learn more and secure your place. Places are limited!

This course is brought to you by the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance, delivering evidence-based advisory, research and professional learning solutions to help build stronger, more effective communities.

Do you work in community development and social planning and are looking to make a real impact in communities?

Struggling to know where to start when it comes to reviewing a program, operation or service? Our Conducting Service Rev...
14/08/2026

Struggling to know where to start when it comes to reviewing a program, operation or service? Our Conducting Service Reviews Course gives you a practical, structured approach to plan, deliver and report on effective reviews with confidence.

Designed with local government in mind but valuable for anyone building evaluation capability, this one-day course will help you:

✅ Understand the purpose and principles of quality service reviews
✅ Apply a project management approach aligned to the policy cycle
✅ Learn practical qualitative and quantitative review methods
✅ Engage stakeholders effectively throughout the review process
✅ Write clear evidence-based reports that drive real impact

Led by experienced facilitator Edwina Deakin, Associate Director at the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance, this interactive workshop combines real-world expertise with practical tools and templates you can apply straight away in your workplace.

📅 Friday 4 September 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 UTS City Campus
💲 $798 (GST free)

Past participants say it best: "Very engaging course thank you" and "an excellent mix of presenting training material and engaging course participants through activities".

Ready to build your organisation's evaluation capability? Visit our website to learn more and secure your place.

This course can also be tailored for in-house delivery to suit your team's needs.

This service review course will guide you through the essentials needed to design and undertake a review of a program, operation or service using a practical,...

Are you new to development assessment or looking to build a stronger foundation in NSW planning practice? Our Developmen...
05/08/2026

Are you new to development assessment or looking to build a stronger foundation in NSW planning practice? Our Development Assessment course is designed for planners engineers building surveyors and environmental officers who want to understand how development assessment really works.

Starting 7 September 2026 this five-day course (delivered across two blocks – online then face-to-face at UTS City Campus) will help you build real skills in planning law urban design and the DA process.

By completing this course you will:
✅ Understand how NSW strategic planning and development assessment systems operate
✅ Learn to analyse planning instruments such as LEPs SEPPs and Development Control Plans
✅ Build confidence assessing DAs including legal requirements and stakeholder impacts
✅ Explore real case studies covering conflict resolution and negotiation
✅ Understand the role of the Land and Environment Court and Planning Panels
✅ Take part in a field trip and workshop for hands-on best practice learning

Led by experienced planning professionals including Dr Danny Wiggins Alison McCabe Joshua Palmer and Luke Murtas this course blends legal insight with real-world practice to help you grow your career in planning and development assessment.

Past participants say it best:
"All facilitators did an awesome job both with engaging and explaining with adequate detail." – Elaine K
"Really enjoyed learning about the other parts of the act." – Natalie F

Ready to strengthen your understanding of the NSW development assessment system? Visit our website to learn more and enrol today.

This course is delivered by the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance (UTS IPPG) supporting better decision-making and practical skills across government and industry through research advisory services and professional learning.

Designed for planning professionals, this development assessment course outlines the basic building blocks of development assessment process and the planning...

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