Current professional development opportunities

Leading Healthy Communities (VicHealth Series)

The MAV is pleased to partner with VicHealth to deliver a Leading Healthy Communities professional development program for Victorian councillors. This program will support councillors:

• Understand how all local council business impacts on the health and wellbeing of their communities; and
• Better equip them as community leaders to make decisions that contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of their communities.

The Leading Health Communities program offers three webinars and one in person masterclass guided by a guest speaker and facilitator to build knowledge and tools, and reflect on local contexts, challenges and priorities.

Attendance to all webinars and masterclass is not required to participate in the program.

Session Details:

Thursday 13 August, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (Online)
Beyond Band-Aids – Making smarter decisions for complex communities.

Thursday 27 August, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (Online)
Using universal design to create the conditions for all people to thrive.

Thursday 10 September, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (Online)
Prevention pays – How prevention delivers better outcomes for communities.

Monday 26 October, 10:00am – 3:00pm (In-Person, MAV Office)
Masterclass - From evidence to action - prevention, smarter decisions and design for thriving communities.

Delivery: Online (via Teams) & in person
In-Person Location: MAV Office, Level 5, 1 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne
Cost: Complimentary

Click here to register

The Local Leaders Series: Leading Through Crisis and Complexity

Local governments are navigating an era of increasing complexity. Climate shocks, financial pressures, community expectations and interdependent systems are converging and demanding a new kind of leadership.

The Local Leaders Series: Leading Through Crisis and Complexity is a new, applied learning experience designed to support Mayors and Councillors to lead with confidence, clarity and collaboration in this evolving landscape.

Delivered by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) in partnership with the Melbourne Centre for Cities (University of Melbourne), and other leading contributors, this inaugural series brings together municipal leaders to build capability and rethink leadership for today’s challenges.

Various locations and online

Dates: Friday 21 August; Friday 18 September; Friday 16 October; Friday 13 November; Friday 20 November
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm (Lunch will be provided)

Click here for more details and to register your interest

MICRO-CREDENTIAL: Recognising and Managing Disinformation Program

Disinformation is an increasing challenge for local government, impacting community trust, decision-making and organisational resilience.

The Municipal Association of Victoria is pleased to partner with the University of Melbourne to offer the Recognising and Managing Disinformation micro-credential, designed specifically for Victorian councillors, mayors and local government professionals.

This practical online course explores:

• How disinformation campaigns operate
• Key tactics and techniques used to influence audiences
• Strategies to assess, counter and build resilience to disinformation
• Best-practice approaches to pre-bunking and debunking misinformation.

The course runs from 19 October to 15 November 2026.

Registrations close on 28 September 2026.

It is delivered online by the University of Melbourne

Learn more and enrol

2026 Mayors Mandatory Training

Join us for the 2026 Mayoral Mandatory Program, designed to support Victorian Mayors and Deputy Mayors in undertaking their roles and responsibilities and leading effectively within the local government environment.

Participants begin together before moving into a learning stream tailored to their experience as newly elected or returning and experienced Mayors and Deputy Mayors.

The day brings everyone together for shared learning, leadership development, mentoring and networking opportunities, creating valuable connections between Mayors and Deputy Mayors from across Victoria.

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre

Date: Thursday 3 December 2026
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: In person. Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre,
80 Western Beach Road, Geelong
Cost: $800 excluding GST for Mayor or Deputy Mayor attendance
$1,400 excluding GST for combined Mayor and Deputy Mayor attendance

Click here to register