Course overview

The Professional Regulator: Foundation program is self-paced. You can progress through the modules at a pace that suits your work schedule.

Each module will take you approximately 90 minutes to complete. You don't need to complete the entire module in one sitting. You can save what you have done and return to it at a later stage.

You have 12 months to complete the 6 online modules and to participate in the 6 seminars.

Modules

The six modules focus on these areas of regulatory practice:

  • 1. Who Regulates and Why

    After completing this module you will be able to:

    • explain why contemporary regulation matters
    • identify who regulates in contemporary Australia
    • describe the major styles, tools and concepts of regulation in use in Australia today
    • know the regulatory approaches used by your organisation
  • 2. Licensing as Regulation

    After completing this module you will be able to:

    • understand the legal environment in which Australian regulators work
    • identify and explain the regulators’ authorising environment and the use of authorising tools, including licensing, permitting, accrediting and registering
    • apply these practical insights to real - life examples in complex regulatory environments
  • 3. Understanding and achieving compliance

    After completing this module you will be able to:

    • understand different explanations for, and approaches to compliance
    • consider and analyse the variety of reasons that may lead to non - compliance
    • identify a range of options and strategies in the regulator compliance toolkit
  • 4. Using Information to Regulate

    After completing this module you will be able to:

    • understand the many ways information can inform regulatory best practice
    • identify key strategies for effectively gathering and using information, including evidence - based strategies and regulatory intelligence
    • reflect on how to effectively collect and utilise information to align and support regulatory objectives
  • 5. Effective regulatory communication

    After completing this module you will be able to:

    • identify the different kinds of regulatory communication and their value for regulatory practice
    • understand when and how to use specific regulatory communication strategies, including lessons from case studies of successes, mistakes and failures
    • refer to examples for mapping and planning regulatory communication plans and stakeholder engagement
  • 6. Regulatory Professionalism and Ethics

    After completing this module you will be able to:

    • reflect on the specific attributes and responsibilities of a professional regulator, considering them in relation to previous modules
    • develop a broad appreciation of issues related to ethics and ethical decision - making for regulators
    • comprehensively demonstrate foundational professional competencies, reflecting on essential elements of effective regulatory practice

Seminar program

Your program includes 6 seminars that will be delivered online by expert regulatory scholars and practitioner. The seminars are 90 minutes each and will expand on the topics and themes explored in the six modules.

You will have the opportunity to interact with your peers to discuss common regulatory issues and approaches.

Seminars are run on a rotational basis and repeated three times a year so if you miss one you will have the opportunity to participate at a later date.

You can start at any point in the seminar cycle.

The Professional Regulator levels

The Professional Regulator: Foundation program is the first part of a four-level program:
  • The Professional Regulator:  Foundation
  • The Professional Regulator:  Extension
  • The Professional Regulator:  Expert
  • The Professional Regulator:  Leader

The additional three levels will be developed following feedback from the NRCoP community.