AGS offers a comprehensive program of legal training designed specifically for Australian Government employees. Our courses cover a wide range of topics relevant to government law and practice, including administrative law, freedom of information and privacy, employment law, advice‑writing, ethics and other core areas. Training is suitable for both lawyers and non‑lawyers and supports participants to build or strengthen the legal knowledge and practical skills required in their roles.

All training is delivered by AGS lawyers who are subject‑matter experts in the areas they teach. Sessions are practical and interactive, incorporating real‑world examples, scenario‑based exercises and facilitated discussion. Courses draw on the experience participants bring from across the Commonwealth, with a focus on how legal principles operate in practice. Participants leave with new knowledge, practical insights and resources they can use in their day‑to‑day work, including comprehensive and up‑to‑date course materials.

AGS offers a limited number of complimentary places in training courses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Government employees.

Course delivery

The majority of AGS courses are delivered online to support accessibility across jurisdictions. We also offer selected courses in Canberra and, from time to time, in other locations throughout the year. See our training calendar page for training availability.

All courses attract CLE/CPD points. Further information is available on our CPD page.

Practical Ethics Training

AGS delivers Practical Ethics Training for Australian Government lawyers through scenario‑based sessions offered across most AGS offices. These 90‑minute sessions focus on common and emerging ethical challenges in government practice and are delivered by AGS in collaboration with the Australian Government Legal Service (AGLS).

For dates, locations and registration details, visit AGLS Practical Ethics Training.

In‑house and tailored training

AGS primarily delivers its standard training courses and has limited capacity to deliver tailored training. The Legal Training Calendar is the most common way AGS delivers its standard legal training. Where capacity permits, we may deliver our standard courses in-house for our clients. Tailored training is available in limited circumstances and subject to capacity.

Registration and enquiries

To register for available courses, please see the Upcoming sessions. For details on our full range of courses, including those that aren't currently scheduled, please see the table below.

For all enquiries, including questions about in‑house or tailored training options, please contact trainingservices@ags.gov.au.

Subject Duration CPD points
Administrative law 2 days 12 points
Advice writing half day 3 points
Affidavits – preparation, use and pitfalls half day 3 points
APS Code of conduct and social media 1 hour 1 point
Archives Act – key exemptions half day 3 points
Code of conduct – applying sanctions 1 day 6 points
Constitutional issues in program design half day 3 points
Contract management 3 hours 2.5 points
Delegations and authorisations 3 hours 2.5 points
Evaluating tenders 2 hours 2 points
FOI exemptions and decision-making 1 day 6 points
Grant programs: An overview of the legal and policy framework full day 6 points
How laws are made: An overview of the legislative process half day 3 points
How to run a code of conduct investigation 2 days 12 points
How to undertake a review of action 1 day 6 points
Introduction to civil litigation process half day 3 points
Introduction to contract law 2 hours 2 points
Introduction to ICT Contracting 3 hours 3 points
Introduction to privacy 1 day 6 points
Key legal issues in grants 1.5 hours 1 point
Legislative instruments: What you need to know 2.5 hours 2 points
Managing a code of conduct investigation 1 day 6 points
Managing FOI requests effectively 1 day 6 points
Managing persistent complainants 1.5 hours 1 point
Masterclass – privacy and employment half day 3 points
Officers' due diligence duties under the WHS Act 1 hour 1 point
Online legal resources 1.5 hours 0 points
PGPA Act for officials of corporate Commonwealth entities 2.5 hours 2 points
PGPA Act for officials of non-corporate Commonwealth entities 2.5 hours 2 points
Practical privacy 1 day 6 points
Principles of decision-making 1 day 6 points
Privacy Reforms: getting on with the changes 2.5 hours 2 points
Procedural fairness – cases and principles half day 3 points
Public Interest Disclosure Act for Authorised Officers half day 3 points
Public Interest Disclosure Act for Investigators 1 day 6 points
Public Interest Disclosure Act for Principal Officer Delegates half day 3 points
Responding to subpoenas half day 3 points
Statement of reasons half day 3 points
Statutory interpretation half day 3 points
Strategically managing privacy risks 2 hours 2 points
Tendering and procurement 3 hours 2.5 points
Understanding legislation half day 3 points
What entity is that? A guide to public and private entities 1 hour 1 point