The South Australian Leadership Academy is proud to deliver the Manager Essentials Program in partnership with the Institute of Public Administration Australia South Australia (IPAA SA), a not-for-profit professional association dedicated to supporting excellence in the public sector.

This brochure provides an overview of:

• program objectives and structure
• key themes and learning outcomes
• participant experience and support
• registration information and contact details

Download the Manager Essentials Program Brochure (PDF 4.7MB)

Download the Manager Essentials Port Lincoln Flyer (PDF 1.01MB)

Explore the upcoming intake for the Manager Essentials Program.

Each intake runs over several months and includes a series of in-person sessions, designed to support your growth as a public sector leader.

Program requirements

All Manager Essentials participants must attend:

• Orientation
• Program Close

Participants must also attend one of the following cohorts (over four modules):

• Metro Cohort
• Metro Intensive Cohort
• Regional Intensive Cohort

Participants must also complete an online learning module:

• HR Essentials

Intake 15

• Program duration: 22 July – 18 November 2026
• Location: Adelaide and Port Lincoln
• Module delivery: Dates depend on the delivery selection
• Includes: Orientation, core modules, peer learning, and final showcase.

Orientation & Program Close (all participants)

These sessions are mandatory and held on the same dates for all participants and are delivered online for regional participants:

• Orientation: Wednesday, 22 July 2026
• Program Close: Wednesday, 18 November 2026
• Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm
• Location: Adelaide

Delivery modes and cohort selection

This intake offers three delivery modes to support different learning preferences and work contexts.

Please select one of the following cohorts:

1. Standard delivery - Four‑month Adelaide Cohort

A traditional four‑month program delivered in Adelaide.
Participants attend a series of in‑person workshops spaced throughout the program to support learning, reflection and application in the workplace.

• Module Delivery: between 28 July and 3 November
• Location: Adelaide

Download the full schedule (PDF 216KB)

2. Intensive delivery - Four‑day Metro Intensive Cohort (Adelaide)

A four‑day, in‑person intensive delivered in Adelaide.
Regional participants may also choose this option if the metropolitan setting suits their operational or travel needs.

• Module Delivery: 11 – 14 August 2026
• Location: Adelaide

Download the full schedule (PDF 334KB)

3. Intensive delivery - Four‑day Regional Intensive Cohort (Port Lincoln)

A four‑day, in‑person intensive delivered in a regional location.
The host region varies each intake to support accessibility across South Australia.

• Module Delivery: 8 – 11 September 2026
• Location: Port Lincoln (Eyre Peninsula)

Download the full schedule (PDF 285KB)

Participants from all delivery modes will join the Orientation and Program Close events either virtually or in person, depending on agency requirements.

Important information

Registration does not guarantee a place in the program.

Final participant selection is determined by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE).

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment reserves the right to cancel or modify programs, dates, times, venues and speakers in the event of circumstances beyond its control.

The total cost for the Manager Essentials Program is $3,300 + GST.

This cost applies to all delivery modes and cohort selections.

This includes:

• participation in the orientation
• participation in the program close
• participation in all modules within your selected cohort
• access to learning materials and resources
• support from facilitators and program coordinators
• catering and venue costs (for in-person sessions)

Program costs do not include travel or accommodation.

IPAA SA will issue an invoice within five business days of receiving the registration.

If you have any questions about payment or invoicing, please contact IPAA SA at SALAManagerEssentials@sa.ipaa.org.au.

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The Manager Essentials Program is designed for frontline managers and team leaders in the South Australian public sector who have people management responsibilities.

The South Australian Leadership Academy recognises that frontline leadership takes many forms, and leadership responsibilities do not always align with formal classification. This program acknowledges and supports that diversity.

Employees who have been identified by their agency as requiring development in people management are eligible to apply. This includes staff who:

• are currently managing or supervising others
• are preparing to move into a management or team leader role, or
• have been identified as future leaders who would benefit from building foundational management capability

All applicants must have their manager’s endorsement as part of their professional development plan.

If you're unsure about your eligibility, speak with your manager or agency leadership team. The South Australian Leadership Academy does not assess individual eligibility, except in relation to overall program capacity.

You may proceed to register once your participation has been approved by your manager and authorised agency delegate.

Who should attend

• New managers wanting to build strong foundational leadership and management skills.
• Experienced managers seeking to refresh and strengthen their leadership approach.
• Individuals acting in management or team leader roles, or those preparing to transition into a management role as identified by their agency.

This hands-on, practice-based program is designed for people who are actively managing others. While it is primarily for current managers, individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, and have agency endorsement, are encouraged to register if the program aligns with their development goals.

Regional cohort support

The Regional cohort is delivered as a four‑day, in‑person intensive held in a regional location. The specific location will change for each intake to support accessibility for different regions across South Australia.

This intake also introduces a four‑day, in‑person intensive in Adelaide. This metropolitan option provides an alternative for regional participants who prefer to travel to Adelaide or who find the metro setting more suitable for their work and travel arrangements.

Participants in both intensives will join the Orientation and Program Close events either virtually or in person in Adelaide, depending on business needs. This approach supports connection across all cohorts while keeping time away from the workplace manageable.

Express your interest

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?

The Manager Essentials Program offers a four month development experience that helps you build confidence, strengthen your leadership impact, and gain practical tools to support your team and agency.

If you're interested in a future intake, we encourage you to:

• speak with your direct line manager
• connect with your HR, organisational development, or learning and development team
• consider how this program aligns with your career goals and development plan.

Executive participation

Executives are welcome to attend. However, tailored development opportunities - including Executive Induction, Executive Excellence and Next Execs are available through the South Australian Leadership Academy and may better meet executive-level needs.

Note: This program is currently available to South Australian Public Sector employees only.

Registrations for the July 2026 intake for the Manager Essentials Program open on 12 March 2026.

If you have questions about availability, please contact us directly.

To register, please visit the registration form:

Access the Registration form

Due to limited places, submitting a registration does not guarantee placement in the program. The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) reserves the right to determine final participant eligibility and selection.

If a registration is withdrawn, the registrant will be notified in writing.

Registration schedule

Visit the Registration Schedule for current intake availability and key dates.

Frequently asked questions

View the Leadership Development Programs Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have any questions about your registration or need assistance, contact IPAA SA
at SALAManagerEssentials@sa.ipaa.org.au

We understand that circumstances can change. Below are the cancellation terms for the Manager Essentials Program – Intake 15 (July - November 2026):

Please note: All cancellation terms are based on working days, not calendar days.

View the Event Cancellation Policy

General enquiries

If you have questions about the Manager Essentials Program or need general information, please contact the South Australian Leadership Academy team:

• Email: OCPSELeadershipAcademy@sa.gov.au
• Phone: 1800 317 333

Registration, enrolment and invoicing

For enquiries about your current registration, enrolment status or invoicing, please contact our delivery partner, the Institute for Public Administration Australia South Australia (IPAA SA):

• Email: SALAManagerEssentials@sa.ipaa.org.au
• Phone: (08) 8212 7555

Welcome to the Manager Essentials participant portal

You will receive access to this portal via email following your Orientation session.

This portal is your central hub for everything related to your Manager Essentials journey.

Here's what, you can do:

• View your session schedule and key program dates
• Access learning materials and essential resources
• Connect with fellow participants and facilitators
• Complete your HR Essentials module.

If you’re ready to begin, click below to enter the portal and start your journey.

Access the Portal

Important: Check your password before logging in

To access the Manager Essentials portal, you need the correct password. This has been sent to you by email from: SALAManagerEssentials@sa.ipaa.org.au

The password is case sensitive.

If you do not know the password, please do not try to log in. Entering the wrong password too many times may lock other users out of the system.

Instead, contact IPAA SA to request the correct password before continuing.

Thank you for helping us keep the portal accessible to everyone.

Need help logging in?
Email: SALAManagerEssentials@sa.ipaa.org.au

Note: Access to the Manager Essentials portal is restricted to participants who are formally registered and have started the program.

Graduates of the Manager Essentials Program become part of the South Australian Leadership Academy’s Alumni Network, where they will be invited to:

• Participate in group coaching sessions
• Engage in peer learning opportunities
• Attend exclusive leadership events and networking forums

This ongoing connection supports continued growth, collaboration, and impact across the public sector.

To continue receiving updates, please ensure your contact details are kept up to date, especially when moving across government departments.

For more information, visit our Alumni Workshops and Events page.

Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Scholarships

Ten Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Scholarships are available per intake for eligible participants of the Manager Essentials Program.

This scholarship supports greater access to leadership development for individuals from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds within the South Australian public sector.

For further information on scholarship opportunities please visit the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Scholarships page.