Articles / Leadership Programs Victoria: The Complete Guide to Executive Development
Development, Training & CoachingDiscover the best leadership programs in Victoria, Australia. Compare university courses, government initiatives, and corporate training providers. Find fees, eligibility, and career outcomes.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Sun 4th January 2026
Victoria stands as Australia's epicentre for leadership development, offering an ecosystem of programmes that rivals any global business hub. From the ivy-clad halls of Melbourne Business School to the pragmatic corridors of the Victorian Public Sector Commission, the state provides aspiring and established leaders with pathways that genuinely transform careers.
This comprehensive guide examines every significant leadership programme available in Victoria, providing the clarity executives need to make informed investment decisions about their professional development.
Victoria's leadership development landscape has evolved considerably over the past three decades. The concentration of Australia's largest corporations in Melbourne, combined with a sophisticated public sector and thriving not-for-profit community, has created demand for leadership programmes that address genuine complexity.
The Study of Australian Leadership revealed that more than 40 per cent of Australian organisations miss performance targets for return on investment and profitability—largely attributable to leadership capability gaps. This finding has galvanised Victorian institutions to develop programmes that deliver measurable outcomes rather than mere credentials.
Research from Training Industry demonstrates that organisations investing in leadership development achieve an annual return on investment of 415 per cent, translating to $4.15 for every $1 spent on training. Victorian programmes have increasingly structured their curricula around this evidence base, emphasising practical application over theoretical abstraction.
Melbourne Business School occupies a distinctive position in Australian executive education, consistently ranked among the world's elite business schools. Their leadership offerings span intensive short courses through to comprehensive MBA programmes.
MBS Leadership Program
The flagship five-day residential programme targets mid-to-senior level managers seeking to develop new leadership behaviours and mindsets. Delivered at the Carlton campus, participants engage in workshop activities, peer coaching sessions, and self-paced learning modules.
The programme fee covers tuition, meals, and accommodation during the workshop. Volume booking discounts are available for organisations registering multiple employees across short courses.
Advanced Management Program
For senior executives requiring deeper immersion, the Advanced Management Program offers 11 days of residential learning with personalised coaching and exclusive networking opportunities.
Executive MBA
The Executive MBA programme caters to experienced professionals seeking comprehensive business leadership education whilst maintaining their careers.
Senior Executive MBA
Exclusively designed for CEOs and senior executives, this programme represents Australia's only global MBA at this level.
Monash Business School delivers leadership development through its Leadership and Executive Education group, offering programmes calibrated to different career stages.
The university's approach emphasises its Global Leadership Development Framework, helping participants master core leadership skills whilst advancing their networks and careers. Programmes include leadership transition courses, skills-building workshops, mentoring programmes, and one-on-one coaching.
Net Zero Academy Executive Leadership Program
A specialised four-day programme for senior leaders accelerating their organisation's transition to net zero, held at Level 9, 750 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Deakin Business School, holding both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, offers leadership qualifications with flexible delivery suited to working professionals.
Graduate Certificate of Leadership
This innovative qualification recognises existing leadership experience whilst developing capabilities further.
The Graduate Certificate provides a pathway into the Master of Leadership for candidates without undergraduate degrees. A 10 per cent discount on enrolment fees may be available for new postgraduate students.
Master of Leadership
The postgraduate degree provides comprehensive understanding of leadership theories, concepts, and contemporary issues.
RMIT's Executive Education connects industry with academics and consultants through interactive, practical programmes.
Diploma of Leadership and Management
Offered in partnership with the Essendon Football Club and Cricket Victoria, this qualification combines academic learning with practical workplace application.
RMIT has delivered business management courses since 1944, providing substantial institutional expertise in leadership development.
Swinburne's Executive MBA has been ranked number one in Australia by The CEO Magazine, emphasising learning by doing through academic teaching, professional expertise sharing, and experiential learning with industry partners.
Master of Business Administration (Executive)
Diploma of Leadership and Management (Fast Track)
Tailored for working professionals seeking rapid skill development.
Established in 2016 by the Victorian Public Sector Commission, the Victorian Leadership Academy provides executives across government departments with intensive professional development.
Eligibility: Executive officers in the nine government departments or Victoria Police
Programme Options:
The Academy convenes executives across government departments to develop capability in ways that traditional single-organisation training cannot achieve.
The Victorian Public Sector Commission delivers this programme in partnership with MurriMatters, specifically designed for First Nations employees within the Victorian public sector.
The Victorian Government Graduate Programs provide pathways for graduates to develop skills whilst working across the public sector, including training in project management, communication, and leadership.
Leadership Victoria has built Victoria's most extensive leadership alumni network over 35 years, comprising more than 7,000 leaders across sectors.
Williamson Community Leadership Program
The flagship programme brings together leaders from business, government, community, academia, health, education, and the arts.
Entry is competitive, with participants typically having approximately 10 years' leadership experience. Full and partial scholarships are available for eligible candidates.
Future Impact Community Program
A five-day transformative experience for local leaders within the City of Greater Dandenong or City of Casey from business, community, and public service.
Active Citizenship Leadership Program
For up to 25 emerging leaders (18 years and older) from Victoria's culturally and linguistically diverse communities, developing leadership skills for democratic participation.
LARC Program
Over six to eight months, up to 26 participants develop skills in strategic foresight, adaptive leadership, and community resilience through place-based experiments.
Women's Leadership Program
A three-day immersive residential programme for mid-senior women leaders.
The Institute of Public Administration Australia (Victoria) delivers professional development specifically tailored to public sector contexts.
Senior Executive Integrity and Ethical Leadership Program
Underpinned by the Integrity and Ethical Leadership Framework, this programme equips leaders with strategies to build integrity and ethical resilience.
Leadership Foundations
Specifically designed for leadership within the Victorian Public Service.
The Victorian Chamber delivers over 700 short courses, diplomas, certificates, briefings, and webinars annually.
Future Leaders Program
Members receive exclusive pricing on training, customised group coaching, events, and workplace consulting.
Australia's leading training and people development organisation, with operations spanning Australia and New Zealand.
Government funding may be available depending on eligibility.
Located at 99 William Street, Melbourne, Proteus provides leadership training across industries.
Award-winning, tailored leadership services with human-centred approaches.
Delivering management and leadership training across Australia with local facilitators.
Since 1986, the Network has increased women's representation in agricultural leadership roles.
Chief Executive Women offers established programmes with 18+ years' experience developing women leaders.
Supported by the Victorian Government, this programme empowers Women of Colour.
Scholarships are available through the Women in Leadership Fund, generously provided by Perpetual on behalf of the Margaret Lawrence Bequest.
| Programme | Provider | Duration | Investment | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBS Leadership Program | Melbourne Business School | 5 days | $14,500 | Mid-senior managers |
| Executive MBA | Melbourne Business School | 18 months | $128,880 | Experienced professionals |
| Graduate Certificate of Leadership | Deakin University | 8 months | $11,050 | Professionals with 2-5 years' experience |
| Williamson Community Leadership Program | Leadership Victoria | 10 months | $12,595 | Leaders with 10+ years' experience |
| Women's Leadership Program | Leadership Victoria | 3 days | Contact provider | Mid-senior women leaders |
| Future Leaders Program | Victorian Chamber | 3-6 months | Contact provider | Emerging leaders |
| CEW Leaders Program | CEW | 6 days | $8,400 + GST | Women leaders |
| Diploma of Leadership and Management | RMIT | Variable | Government funded options | Team leaders, supervisors |
The evidence for leadership development investment is compelling:
Consider programmes that build foundational capabilities:
Seek programmes balancing depth with practical application:
Invest in programmes designed for complexity and strategic leadership:
Government-specific programmes address unique contexts:
Several pathways exist for managing programme costs:
Government Funding
Organisational Investment
Scholarships
Tax Deductibility
The optimal programme depends on your career stage, sector, and development objectives. Melbourne Business School programmes suit corporate executives seeking globally recognised credentials. Leadership Victoria's Williamson program offers unparalleled cross-sector networking for experienced leaders. Public sector professionals benefit from IPAA Victoria's contextually relevant offerings. Evaluate programmes against your specific leadership challenges rather than seeking a universal "best" option.
Victorian leadership programmes range from government-funded vocational qualifications at minimal cost through to Melbourne Business School's Senior Executive MBA at $157,608. Short courses typically cost between $8,000 and $15,000, whilst comprehensive programmes like the Williamson Community Leadership Program cost approximately $12,595. Graduate certificates average around $11,000, and full MBA programmes range from $100,000 to $160,000.
Yes. The Victorian Leadership Academy provides development for public sector executives at no cost to participants. The Victorian Rural Women's Network Leadership and Mentoring Program receives government support. Additionally, vocational qualifications such as the Diploma of Leadership and Management may attract Skills First funding through registered training organisations like LMA.
Requirements vary significantly. Melbourne Business School's Executive MBA requires substantial professional experience. Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Leadership requires either a bachelor's degree plus two years' experience, or five years' relevant work experience without a degree. Swinburne's Executive MBA requires a bachelor's degree plus minimum three years' managerial experience. Most programmes prioritise demonstrated leadership responsibility over specific qualifications.
Duration spans from intensive three-day workshops through to 18-month MBA programmes. Short courses like Melbourne Business School's Leadership Program run five days. Leadership Victoria's Williamson program operates over 10 months with 23 programme days. Graduate certificates typically require eight to twelve months. Executive MBA programmes run 18 months whilst allowing continued employment.
Several programmes offer online delivery. Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Leadership is 100 per cent online. Swinburne offers online diploma options through Swinburne Open Education. Many providers have adopted hybrid models following industry changes, combining virtual learning with face-to-face intensives. However, programmes emphasising networking and experiential learning, such as the Williamson program, remain primarily in-person.
Research indicates substantial benefits: companies with effective leadership development see 77 per cent lower turnover, high-potential employees are 2.4 times more likely to stay at organisations offering development, and leaders receiving quality coaching are 1.5 times less likely to seek advancement elsewhere. Beyond retention, participants report enhanced strategic thinking, expanded professional networks, increased confidence in complex situations, and accelerated career progression.
For the most current programme information, fees, and application deadlines, contact providers directly or visit their official websites.