The Diplomatic Academy is DFAT's specialist learning and development hub dedicated to uplifting international engagement capability across the Australian Public Service (APS), with a strong focus on the Indo-Pacific.
Our courses cover foreign policy, trade, development, diplomatic tradecraft as well as public administration and enabling services. We offer courses at the Foundation, Practitioner, and Expert levels.
The Diplomatic Academy is a key partner in the APS learning ecosystem, building specialised diplomatic capability across Government. We also engage with partner foreign ministries to share diplomatic tradecraft expertise.
We release a monthly newsletter containing upcoming course offerings. You can sign up to the newsletter by emailing diplomaticacademy@dfat.gov.au.
Enrol in Diplomatic Academy Courses
You can view and enrol in courses through our Learning Management system, Lumi.
APS employees who have an ".gov.au" (or equivalent) email address are encouraged sign-up using their work email. APS employees will be granted access automatically once they verify their email address.
All other submissions will be reviewed by the Diplomatic Academy within 2 business days of submission. For urgent requests, please reach out to our team via the contact information below.
NOTE: If you need to register using a non-.gov.au (or equivalent) email address, please provide detailed information in the registration form for your reason for registering and a DFAT contact who can verify your need for a Lumi account.
Once your account is created, you will be able to login via the login screen.
For more detailed instructions read our Register Account and Login to Lumi. Support Guide document:
You can login to Lumi from a stand-alone personal device if you do not have access to your agency/work email address (the one you registered on Lumi).
To do so, you need to have first registered a Lumi account, logged into Lumi and set up a secondary email.
Location
The Academy is located at Level 1, 44 Sydney Avenue, Forrest, Canberra, Australia.
Contact Us
Email: diplomaticacademy@dfat.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6261 1111. Ask for Diplomatic Academy Reception from the switchboard.
PAGE 2: Language Programs
The Diplomatic Academy offers Discussion Groups and Immersion courses to assist APS agencies and state and territory Government staff to maintain language proficiency. Please review the Australian Foreign Service Language Proficiency Ratings to determine the appropriate level before attending. The discussions groups are not language classes and participants are expected to have the relevant proficiency.
- Australian Foreign Service Language Proficiency Ratings [PDF 81 KB]
- Australian Foreign Service Language Proficiency Ratings [DOCX 22 KB]
Lunchtime Discussion Groups
Discussion Groups are held on the same working day each week, from February to November. They are conducted face-to-face and via online virtual classroom (Microsoft Teams).
Time: 12.30pm - 1.30pm (AEST)
Location: Diplomatic Academy, Level 1, 44 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603 or online Via Microsoft Teams.
Cost: Free
- Lunchtime Language Discussion Group Timetable 2026 [PDF 305 KB]
- Lunchtime Language Discussion Group Timetable 2026 [DOCX 499 KB]
To join a Lunchtime Discussion Group online, you must join with your “.gov.au” email address. Please email LanguageServices.cbr@unsw.edu.au to be added to the mailing list of the Discussion Group you would like to attend, and you will receive weekly articles and dial in details.
Language Immersion Courses
Immersion Courses are designed to assist APS agencies and state and territory Government staff to maintain and improve existing language proficiencies. Courses are a full-time commitment for one or three days depending on the language. They consist of formal and informal discussion, translation and interpreting, presentations from academics, colleagues and language specialists. There is no formal assessment.
Learners must have the appropriate language proficiency to attend immersion courses. If you are unsure of the Immersion Course level you should attend, review the Australian Foreign Service Language Proficiency Ratings and attend a Discussion Group to discuss further with the tutor. Participation is open to staff from APS agencies and state and territory Government staff, on a user-pays basis.
Location: Diplomatic Academy, Level 1, 44 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
Cost: 1-day course = $250. 3-day course = $1,127
Note: Non-attendance and cancellations within 48 hours of the start of the course may be charged at full cost.