About IPAA Victoria
Strengthening the capability and impact of Victoria’s public purpose sector
IPAA Victoria is Victoria’s peak public purpose sector professional association.
As a trusted provider and partner, IPAA Victoria connects, empowers and celebrates Victoria’s public purpose sector. We are a voice of sector, uniting over 90 future-focused organisations and a diverse community of senior leaders, experts and professionals.
We strengthen, celebrate and build the capability of the sector through flagship events, networking opportunities, professional learning, expert communities of practice, prestigious awards, thought leadership materials and professional development opportunities.
Our impact and reach
300000+
personal and affiliate members
370000+
website, course and event interactions
250+
courses and events hosted
Our Values
Innovation
Together, we contribute to shaping a stronger public purpose sector.
Inclusivity & Safety
We provide a safe place for multiple voices.
Connection
We build and grow strong reciprocal relationships and networks.
Integrity
We are consistent in demonstrating and promoting honesty, transparency and ethical behaviour.
Excellence
We constantly seek to improve the quality of our service to members.
Strategic Plan FY26 - FY30
To strengthen the capability, pride and reputation of the Victoria public purpose sector.
Strategic Pillar 1: Member Driven
Enhance our value proposition to members through tailored services and communications.
Strategic Pillar 2: Strengthen Sector Capability
Deliver high-quality learning programs and leadership development to strengthen public purpose sector skills and knowledge.
Strategic Pillar 3: Strengthen sector pride & reputation
Celebrate excellence through flagship events and thought leadership that showcase public purpose sector achievements.
Strategic Pillar 4: Advancing Self-Determination
We will finalise and implement our first Self-Determination Plan.
Our History
IPAA Victoria was established in Melbourne in June 1929. Each jurisdiction in Australia has an IPAA division. IPAA Victoria was the second Australian division, following the inauguration of a South Australian branch a year earlier.
The Institute of Public Administration (IPA – this was the Institute’s original name) was founded in London in 1922 by Lord Richard Burdon Haldane, in response to heightened interest in the workings of government. In his first address, Haldane stressed that optimum standards of efficiency required clear thinking and “intelligent guidance at its apex”.
The ‘IPA Victorian Regional Group’ began life as a part-time, voluntary organisation with dedicated members interested in and committed to improving government administration. By 1936, the group had 84 members working in senior roles in the Victorian public service, as well as in Commonwealth government departments located in Melbourne. Already, the institute’s unique ‘cross-government’ character was being recognised and rewarded through a busy schedule of intragovernmental meetings, conferences, research papers and awards.
IPAA National
The Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) was established on 1 January 1980 as an independent national organisation and is governed by a National Council under the leadership of the current National President. Each Australian jurisdiction has an IPAA organisation that works with National IPAA, hence in 1980 we became known as IPAA Victoria.
