This micro-credential is ideal for professionals in the public, not-for-profit and NGO sectors, or those in the private sector who work with governments, and are seeking to develop capability in this core management skillset.

There are no formal eligibility requirements to enrol in this course, but it is recommended you have either an undergraduate degree or at least three years of professional experience in a relevant field (such as policy design/development, program implementation, management, evaluation, or corporate services).

This micro-credential has been developed by the Melbourne School of Government in consultation with industry and government partners, to ensure it responds to the real-world needs of the sector.

Learning has been designed to match the leadership and capability frameworks of the Australian and Victorian Public Services.

It will equip you with a more sophisticated understanding of how public finances are managed, so you can excel in your work and deliver more public value for the communities you serve.

By the end of this course, you'll have a deeper understanding of how to read, comprehend and explain government budgets. You'll be able to:

• Analyse how budget cycles and government funding underpins public policy and service delivery
• Create policy briefs with clear recommendations for how to respond to identified Practice Challenges within government budgets and financing.

This micro-credential runs over six weeks, including four weeks of delivery and two weeks for you to complete assessment tasks.

Your total time commitment is approximately 42 hours, which includes:

• 9 hours guided learning (including three 1.5-hour webinars and asynchronous exercises)
• 11 hours self-directed and peer learning
• 22 hours assessment tasks.

Assessment:

Analyse the Budget Cycle

• Part A: Analyse a Budget Cycle (15%)
• Part B: The Policy Cycle and Government Budgets (20%)

Respond to Your Practice Challenge (65%).

Once you've successfully completed this course, you will be awarded your Government Budget Essentials micro-credential. This digital certificate will warrant the achievement of knowledge, skills and capabilities outlined in the learning outcomes. It may also include artefacts (such as videos and written material) related to both experiential and work-integrated learning, including translatable assessment that is practical to your professional life. You can also share your micro-credential digitally and via social media by adding it to your personal platforms, such as LinkedIn. See example certificate.

This micro-credential includes both guided and self-directed learning, to provide both flexibility and support.

You'll take part in online workshops and receive valuable guidance and feedback from course facilitators as you learn.

You'll also contribute to discussion threads and extend your knowledge with videos, industry case studies and readings.

There is no set expiry date.