Infrastructure Short Course
Our next course will run from 14 - 16 October 2025.
The objective of this 3-day short course is to provide participants with an opportunity to learn the key tasks involved in selecting and prioritising projects, developing a business case up to investment decision as well as managing infrastructure projects post-financial close and delivering an operating project. This course will highlight the management skills required to deliver complex infrastructure projects in an increasingly challenging environment.
Given the need to shift the workforce from transport megaprojects to large scale energy transmission projects, what types of managerial skills are relevant and what can be done to leverage the lessons learned from delivering transport projects?
Following the 2023 reviews of the infrastructure pipeline the emphasis is shifting from new build to getting the most out of existing infrastructure; what improvements can be expected to result from greater emphasis on a whole-of-life approach to infrastructure delivery? In a fiscally constrained environment, the infrastructure market is shifting from strategic direction and placemaking towards tactical response targeted at increasing housing around train stations; is this the right strategy?
Project reviews continue to highlight governance failings amid huge cost blowouts; what improvements in governance and decision making can be identified to improve risk management and mitigate cost pressures?
Allan Fels has released a Report on Toll Reform advocating for brave reform with the proposed establishment of a State TollCo; but Transurban has expressed reservations and other industry bodies have labelled the approach as reckless with muddled thinking. The Final Report published in 2024 stepped back from some of the more radical proposals in the Interim Report and the NSW Government is now in negotiations with Transurban. What does this say about the appetite for policy reform despite the current tollroad concession model being unsustainable?
Despite the Australian and NSW Governments coming under increasing fiscal pressure, the procurement of PPPs utilising private finance is dramatically lower; why is this happening and is it likely to change?
These topics will be discussed by experts as we explore the issues and potential solutions.
This course will appeal to junior and middle management involved in all aspects of infrastructure planning, financing, design, approval and implementation where critical thinking is needed.
The course will be delivered by the University of Sydney through the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, together with guest contributors who have extensive experience in managing and delivering infrastructure projects in many sectors in Australia and other countries.
Topics will include:
- Transit-oriented development alleviating housing shortfall
- Implementing toll reform
- Delivering High Speed Rail
- Infrastructure Challenges
- Improving Business Cases and Prioritisation
- Shifting from Adversarial to Collaborative Contracting
- Improving Governance and Avoiding Disputes
- Changing Skills around Infrastructure Project Leadership and Management
- Improving Delivery Outcomes
- Reflections from a Project Director
- Leveraging Private Finance
- Managing Infrastructure SPVs
- Embracing Sustainability
Dates | 14 October (Tuesday) to 16 October (Thursday) 2025.
9am – 5pm.
Fees | $1,850 Super Early Bird (until 30 June 2024)
$1,950 Early Bird (until 31 August)
$2,100 Full Price (from September 2024)
Registrations close 15 September 2025.
All fees are inclusive of GST, catering (morning tea and lunch), and access to learning material through our e-learning site, Canvas.
The course will be held at the University of Sydney Business School CBD Campus, which is located at Level 17, Stockland Building, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
For enquiries about enrolments, please email business.itlsinfo@sydney.edu.au
Cancellations: 10% administration fee will be applied to refunds for any cancellation; no refund will be available for cancellations made after 15 September 2025.
“Very engaging speakers. Great real-world examples. Really enjoyed this discussion and the openness of the panel to some challenging discussions. Will definitely recommend future courses to my network.” (2024)
“The course has been excellent in demonstrating the future and current state of infrastructure and has provided a lot of information and knowledge progression. Catering – Amazing.” (2024)
“The presenters were excellent and covered a variety of perspectives. All the content was well presented, and the presenters all appeared to have extensive, relevant experience. It will help me in my current job.” (2024)
"Great variation in topics […] Amazing line up of speakers. Collaborative contracting and Managing SPVs were the standout presentations […] Open interactive dialogue was refreshing and highly informative." (2023)
"Highly recommend for anyone in the infrastructure sector […] Very valuable for people looking for personal development. Good outline of NSW approach to planning and business cases." (2023)
"Really appreciated the access to past leaders and current practitioners from across the public and private sectors." (2022)
"The breadth of topics was outstanding and eye opening." (2022)
"As an Infrastructure Advisory professional myself, I find it's really insightful […] and the guests are all full of interesting and diverse perspectives and opinions. Universities should look to add more courses like this." (2021)
2024 participants