Introduction to Effective Government Communication

We’ll explore the principles of effective communication to help get across your message and to ensure that your stakeholders, community, cross-agency partners and internal audiences in your Department or agency are engaged. We’ll look at how to select the right approach to your communication and, using non-communication language, we’ll explore communication channels ranging from interpersonal communication through to correspondence and email, digital communication through to presentation. In our session you’ll be in discussion with others in government roles, widening your experience with their experience and examples that are relevant and recognisable in your role.

Content

• What is effective communication?
• The principles of effective communication and the communication landscape in 2025
• What are the challenges of communicating in 2025?
• What is effective Government communication?
• The expectations on Government communicators – translating ‘clear and concise’ into language you can use
• Differences between corporate and Government communication
• Getting your message through with confidence and persuasion
• Understanding your audience to help produce an effective message
• Communication tools used in Government communication for community and stakeholders – correspondence and campaigns, presentations, social media and newsletters
• Communication tools used in Government communication for internal audiences – intranets, briefings, interpersonal communication (verbal and face-to-face), email and reports
• How to effectively develop and produce your communication using the major communication tools used by Government
• The process of Government communication – from getting the brief to handling the approval

Outcomes

By the end of this course you will have:

• An understanding of a range of approaches that focus on a different element of your communication
• An understanding of how the principles of effective communication apply to your Government role

Who Should Attend

• Non-communicators in Government finding themselves communicating more and more.
• Subject experts and researchers needing to engage with stakeholders or staff through communication.
• Graduates in a new Government role, without a grounding or foundational training in communication.

Benefits to You and Your Organisation

Your team’s communication will not just improve, it will evolve. Your team will have an appreciation for communication in 2025, and be familiar with practices that will cut through to a changed marketplace.