Course

QTC Education - Service Planning - Feb 2026

Feb 5, 2026 - Feb 26, 2026

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Full course description

About this course

Service Planning

This course offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of service planning within a council’s integrated planning and reporting framework. Designed for local government professionals, it equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of council services. 

Delivered across four structured modules, the course covers core topics including service planning principles, prioritisation of services, financial management, risk assessment, and performance monitoring. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how service planning supports strategic objectives, informs resource allocation, and enhances community outcomes. 

Through interactive workshops and real-world case studies, learners will engage in hands-on activities that simulate the development, monitoring, and reporting of service plans. These practical exercises are tailored to the local government context, ensuring participants can directly apply their learning to their own organisational challenges. The course also highlights the distinct but complementary roles of elected members and council officers in shaping service delivery, supported by budgeting decisions. By fostering a shared understanding of responsibilities and processes, the course supports more informed, transparent, and collaborative planning across all levels of council leadership. 

*The full cost of this course is $1500 GST excluded. The Department of Local Government, Water, and Volunteers and QTC will be subsidising 100% of your registration fee. Subsidy has already been applied to the course fees, and is free for council staff and staff in the Department of Local Government, Water, and Volunteers.

NOTE: This course is for Queensland Local Government staff only. 

If you have any questions or general enquiries, please contact us at qtceducation@griffith.edu.au

5-26 February
2026
2 hours per week
Delivered over 4 weeks
Virtual sessions
 
With industry facilitator
0
Fully subsidised*

Course Snapshot

What are the course learning outcomes?

Learning Outcomes: 

  • Relate service planning principles to a councils' integrated planning framework 
  • Understand the role of elected members and officers in the council service planning and budgeting process 
  • Understand different components of service plan including service levels, financials and risks 
  • Explore the importance of service reporting, monitoring and assessment to achieve effectiveness and efficiency 
What core topics are offered?

Please find below the topics that will be covered. 

  • Service Planning introduction
  • Prioritising Council services
  • Current service reporting approaches
  • Understanding service levels
  • Developing service plans
  • Understanding the cost of services
  • Service performance monitoring and reporting
  • Reviewing services
  • Incorporating service planning in the budget process 
Who is this course suited to?

This course is suited to council management and staff directly and indirectly involved is service planning related activities including business improvement teams, governance officers and council directors and managers looking to gain insight into local government service planning by implementing a service planning framework to guide decision making.

NOTE: This course is for Queensland Local Government staff only. 

What are the course credentials?

Participants will earn a digital badge upon completion of the course which can be shared across various online platforms so you can showcase your demonstrated skills and achievements.

Please note, to be eligible for a digital badge you must attend all sessions and complete all associated learning content/activities. 

What does my course schedule look like?

The course will be delivered over 4 weeks and consist of weekly 2-hour virtual sessions. Please find the specific details below. 

Week  Session/Delivery
Week 1  Virtual session: Thursday 5 February 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm AEST
Week 2 Virtual session: Thursday 12 February 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm AEST
Week 3 Virtual session: Thursday 19 February 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm AEST
Week 4 Virtual session: Thursday 26 February 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm AEST

Commitment to all sessions within this course is essential for an optimised learning experience. Please ensure you can attend all sessions before registering.

If you have any questions or general enquiries, please contact us at qtceducation@griffith.edu.au

Who are the course facilitators?

Mr Michael Shave

Michael is an experienced executive level government senior consultant with oversight across a range of organisational service functions. Michael has over 24 years combined experience in financial strategy and operations, and in providing strategic advice particularly for the local government industry from both the private and public sectors. Michael has the ability to clearly articulate complex financial and other issues in terms easily understood by executives, board members and elected representatives.