Graduate Certificate of Strategic Policy

About the course

The Graduate Certificate of Strategic Policy builds practical capability to understand and respond to defence, security and geopolitical challenges. You’ll examine how strategy, diplomacy, economics and politics shape policy choices, with opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners through guest lectures. Study can be undertaken on campus or off-campus, with flexible full-time or part-time options. This is a Graduate Certificate in strategic policy and security studies.

Career outcome

Graduates can pursue or progress roles connected to strategic policy, national security and international affairs across government, defence and security organisations, consultancies and related industries. The course supports upskilling for work involving policy analysis, intelligence-informed decision-making, risk and threat assessment, and security strategy development. It may also suit professionals working with geopolitics and the Indo-Pacific region. This is a Graduate Certificate aligned to security and strategic policy careers.

Living Costs in Sydney**

Restaurant (Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant) A$ 17 - 22	Rent per Month (1 bedroom in City Centre) A$ 2,207 - 2,918	Rent per Month (1 bedroom Outside of Centre) A$ 1,599 - 2,115
Transportation (Daily) A$ 9 - 10	Utilities per Month (Electricity, Mobile & Internet) A$ 219 - 290

Average Salary***

*Source: QS World University Subjects Rankings (2026)

**Source: numbeo.com

***Source: PayScale.com (2026)