Course

QTC Education - Service Planning - Self-paced - November 2026

Nov 5, 2026 - Dec 3, 2026

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Full course description

About this course

Service Planning

This course provides a practical overview of service planning within a council's integrated planning framework, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to improve service effectiveness and efficiency.

Across four modules, participants will explore key aspects of service planning, including documenting service information, monitoring performance, service prioritisation, financial management, risk assessment, and performance reporting. The course also highlights the role of council officers in service planning and budgeting processes.

Using practical case studies and interactive workshops, participants will develop skills in preparing, monitoring, and reporting on service plans, enabling them to support strategic and operational outcomes in local government.

*The full cost of this course is $1500 GST excluded. As a special offer from QTC Education to celebrate the recent refresh of this course, the first delivery will be fully subsidised by Queensland Treasury Corporation. Please note that this complimentary offer applies to the inaugural delivery only and will not apply to future course deliveries.

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

5th Nov - 3rd Dec
2026
1 hour 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 council's 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?

The course will consist of four modules in total, with a live 1-hour workshop for each module. Please find below the topics that will be covered. 

Module 1 Service planning introduction

  1. Strategic and operational context
  2. Relationship to council's integrated planning framework
  3. Service palnning and the different types of council services

Module 2 Service planning basics

  1. Undertanding the components of a service plan
  2. Staging the development process
  3. Including a service focus in a council budget process

Module 3 Advanced service planning

  1. Monitoring and reporting
  2. Reviewing to target effectiveness and efficiency

Module 4 Summary workshop and case study application

  1. Case study to apply concepts
  2. Understanding the role of officers in the council service planning process
Who is this course suited to?

This course is suited to council management and staff directly and indirectly involved in 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.

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 a minimum of two of the four virtual sessions and complete all associated learning content, activities and quizzes. 

What does my course schedule look like?

The course will be delivered over 4 weeks and consist of self-paced online modules, with a weekly 1-hour live virtual session. Please find the specific details below for the live sessions. 

Week Session / Delivery
Week 1  Virtual session: Thursday 5 November, 10am - 11am AEST
Week 2 Virtual session: Thursday 12 November, 10am - 11am AEST
Week 3 Virtual session: Thursday 26 November, 10am - 11am AEST
Week 4 Virtual session: Thursday 3 December, 10am - 11am AEST

Commitment to all sessions within this course is recommended for an optimised learning experience.

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

Who is the course facilitator?

Mr Tony Brett

Tony is a Fellow of CPA Australia with more than 20 years' experience in public sector financial management. Having held senior finance leadership roles across all three tiers of government, he specialises in financial management, governance, business process improvement and local government capability development. Tony is a former President of Local Government Finance Professionals Queensland and continues to support the sector through mentoring, advocacy, and professional engagement.