Design Thinking Training

Building design capability in government  

The Introduction to Design Thinking training helps you to build practical, user‑centred design capability through shared learning and hands-on practice. Whether you’re completely new to design or looking to refresh your skills, this training provides a solid foundation in modern design methods. 

Training objectives 

This course is designed to strengthen design capability within government by: 

• Providing the basics to support a design thinking mindset 
• Building awareness of user centred design and design methods and tools 
• Developing a shared language and understanding.

Participants leave with practical skills they can apply immediately in their projects and day‑to‑day work. 

Course structure 

The course is delivered online via GovTEAMS with experienced facilitators and includes 5 sessions across 3 weeks. It’s important that you attend ALL 5 sessions: 

• Sessions 1 to 4: 2.5 hours each (10:00am to 12:30pm) 
• Session 5: 3 hours (10:00am to 1:00pm) 

It combines theory, hands‑on activities, and group discussion to create an engaging and collaborative learning experience. 

What’s included 

When you join the course, you’ll have access to a mix of shared learning resources and practical tools, including an online handbook, design templates, and hands‑on activities based on the UK Design Council’s Double Diamond Framework. 

You can also find more detail on what’s covered in each of the 5 sessions.(Opens in a new tab/window)

Who should attend 

This course is open to APS who are curious about design thinking and want to build or refresh their skills alongside colleagues across government. It’s particularly well suited if you are: 

• New to design thinking 
• Working in digital, policy, content, or service delivery 
• Keen to learn how user-centred design can support your day-to-day work 
• Wanting to learn with team members or peers to build a shared understanding of design thinking.

No prior design experience is required. 

What participants are saying 

Participants consistently rate the course highly, noting that: 

• The content is practical and relevant 
• The activities help build confidence in applying design methods 
• They would recommend the training to others.

“The Introduction to Design Thinking training was the best training I've received in my years at Finance. Not only was the content informative and interesting, but the manner in which it was delivered was exceptional.”

“It was fun to be able to learn new and interesting concepts, and engage with my team. The group activities were stimulating and really enhanced our learning.”

How to register 

Ready to build your design capability? Spaces are limited so complete your registration early by clicking on one of the training courses below.

Once your place is confirmed, we’ll send GovTEAMS invites for all 5 sessions along with everything you need to prepare for the training. 

The cost of the training is $750 per participant (excluding GST). An invoice will be sent to your nominated contact after you’ve attended the online training. 

Please note that a cancellation fee may apply for registrations cancelled within 7 days of the training start date.