Frequently asked questions – Short courses and Certificates

Governance Institute’s short courses offer practical knowledge and skills across a wide range of capabilities that can be readily applied in your workplace.

You may choose to enrol in a single stand-alone short course to meet your professional development needs, or you may choose to enrol in the required number of courses for a Governance Institute Certificate.

For more information about our short courses click here.

Governance Institute Certificates are accredited by Governance Institute of Australia and consist of 4 short courses. Certificates are available for registration in face-to-face, virtual and online, self-paced study modes

Find more information about our Certificates.

Facilitated – face-to-face (in person)

• I like networking and prefer a face-to-face learning environment.
• I find attending face-to-face training to be motivating.
• I prefer to learn through active discussions and asking questions.
• I like to listen to and engage with others in person.
• I prefer to meet the facilitator in person.
• I prefer to engage in activities and case studies collaboratively.

Virtual (live facilitation via the internet – not recorded)

• I am comfortable engaging with the facilitator and other students via the internet on camera.
• I am comfortable using virtual technology and learning in a virtual environment.
• I am a self-directed learner but do want some engagement with a facilitator and other students.
• I prefer to learn situated in my own setting, engaging virtually.
• I am unable to travel to a training venue.

Note: a strong, stable broadband internet connection is required for an optimal virtual experience.

Online, on demand

• I prefer to engage in study when it is most convenient for my circumstances (flexible access 24/7).
• I prefer information presented online in focused, easy to navigate and easy-to-read sections or ‘chunks’.
• I prefer self-directed and self-paced study.
• I prefer not to attend a facilitated course.
• I prefer to engage in activities and case studies independently.
• I would have difficulty attending a time-bound, scheduled course.
• I do not have a suitable location from which to attend a live virtual course.

Note: a strong, stable broadband internet connection is required for an optimal online experience.

You can register for a short course or Certificate in online, on demand delivery mode at any time during the year. View the course catalogue for all short course and Certificate study options.

To discuss your options further, speak to a Sales and Professional Development Advisor on 1800 251 849.

The course materials are available to download from our learning management system, Blackboard. Online courses are available immediately when payment has been finalised., For face-to-face and virtual courses, once payment has been finalised, you will receive access to your course materials 10 business days before the course start date.

To login to Blackboard with an existing password click here.

If it is your first-time accessing Blackboard, please generate your password click here.

I have tried to reset my password but haven’t received an email?

Please email training@governanceinstitute.com.au and we will reset your access.

For courses that are delivered in a face-to-face setting you are required to bring your own device to access the course materials. We do not have hard copies available on the day. This is part of our commitment to reducing the impact of printed materials on the environment.

You are not required to pre-read the course materials. Assessment components of the course are completed following the scheduled course delivery.

The courses are held in Governance Institute offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and at other locations as outlined in the Certificate and Short Courses schedule.

Each short course is assessed as follows:

• Multiple choice quiz questions (you need to achieve 75% to pass with unlimited attempts provided).
• A short, written response to a case study in Section C. Suggested answers are revealed after attempting the response.

Non-assessed knowledge checks are included as you progress through the course material (correct answers will be revealed).

See the assessment rules page for further information.

You must complete the short course/s and assessments within the entitlement period provided. Entitlement periods will apply as follows:

• Any stand-alone short course registration — 30 days entitlement.
• Full Certificate registration (4 short courses bundled) — 120 days entitlement.

Sufficient time must be allocated to study the materials and to complete the online assessments within the entitlement periods as stated above.

Please refer to the assessment rules for the extension policy.

Your progress is tracked through the learning management system, Blackboard and you can view your grades in the Blackboard Grade Centre. Your Academic Record can be viewed by logging in to your account on the Governance Institute website.

Certificates are open-entry and there are no educational or experience prerequisites for enrolment.

When you have successfully completed all assessment requirements for your short course or Certificate, our education team will verify your achievement within 10 business days. Once verified, your digital badge will be issued by email from My eQuals.

If you have chosen not to complete the assessment and require a Statement of Attendance for face-to-face or virtual courses, please request this by emailing: customerservice@governanceinstitute.com.au.

Completion of a Certificate entitles you to apply for an Affiliate membership of Governance Institute of Australia.

The Affiliate membership postnominal, GIA(Cert), is recognised nationally as a demonstration of your commitment to your ongoing professional development and the practice of good governance.

Course exemptions are only available where:

You have graduated from your first Certificate before enrolment in the second Certificate. At this point an exemption (credit) for any short course that forms part of both Certificates will be applied to the second Certificate enrolment. To utilise exemption(s) (credit), you must have successfully passed the assessment requirements for the short course within the previous 12 months.

Where the short course completion has not occurred within the previous 12 months, no exemption (credit) will be available.

Please refer to the assessment rules.

Certificates are not recognised as meeting the academic admission criteria for Governance Institute’s postgraduate courses, as applicants must have completed a Bachelor degree. Refer to the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information.

No prior learning is recognised in the completion of a Governance Institute Certificate.

If you require any further information or need further assistance, please contact 1800 251 849 or email training@governanceinstitute.com.au.