Master of Public Policy: Indigenous and Development Policy Specialisation

Upon successful completion of the study, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the nature and impact of European colonization on Indigenous peoples, especially in the Australian context;
2. Engage in informed debate about current and past Australian government policy and practice towards Indigenous people;
3. Analyse development contexts for NGOs, the private sector, and government agencies with particular attention to the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives;
4. Articulate the major currents in development theory and practice as they apply to Indigenous peoples;
5. Write critically and analytically about contentious issues in Australian Indigenous policy and development;
6. Demonstrate understanding of appropriate strategies of inquiry to inform Indigenous policy and development;
7. Reflect critically on their own experiences of Indigenous policy and/or Indigenous development in light of the concepts and methods introduced.

Indigenous and Development Policy, one of the Master of Public Policy specialisations, enables you to develop inclusive and participatory policy-making processes for NGOs, government agencies and businesses working with Indigenous people. The specialisation is designed to provide policymakers with specific expertise relating to Indigenous development; learn from experts at ANU’s Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), Australia’s leading centre on Indigenous economic and social policy issues; and understand Indigenous views and approaches to development. If you’re ready to take a leading role in improving Indigenous policy-making processes for an NGO, government agency or business enterprise, this degree specialisation is for you.

Indigenous policy presents unique challenges that demand a specialist skill set to achieve effective solutions. By engaging with and learning from experts, including staff from CAEPR, you will gain relevant and instrumental insights into Indigenous and community perspectives – and their impact on development activities. Partnered with this understanding, you will acquire the ability to undertake social assessments and integrate participatory practices into policy-making processes. These skills will equip you to take on a leadership role in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policy for NGOs, government agencies and businesses that engage with Indigenous people.

Choose your subjects

Majors

This MPP specialisation requires the completion of 24 units from the specified courses in relevant areas. Find out more about the unit and course details at the ANU Programs and Courses.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $66,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Australian National University is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. With ties to the Australian Government, they have special standing as a resource for the Australian people. Their approach to education ensures graduates are in demand the world-over for their abilities to address complex contemporary challenges. Offering innovative online subjects from beginning to advanced levels through Open Universities Australia, they meet varied students’ needs and goals.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

4

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

4

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis.

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or

· Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or

· 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or

· Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Find more information about the Master of Public Policy at the ANU Programs and Courses.

A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

Applications must meet the ANU English Language Requirements for Admission.

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree, Bachelor degree with Honours, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units.