The Australasian Management Challenge has been at the forefront of professional development in local government in Australia and New Zealand for more than 30 years. The Management Challenge is a simulation-based team building, learning and networking program using real local government themes.

Teams are provided a series of tasks throughout 'Challenge Day' which require them to respond to a range of scenarios.

Some challenge tasks require written responses, some take the form of role play or presentations and the teams are scored on observations of how well they display energy, synergy, effectiveness and creative thinking.

The Management Challenge helps participants to develop key skills such as leadership, analytics, communication, negotiation, decision-making and presentation skills.

Who should be part of your team?

Anyone! You don't have to be a manager to enter - the Management Challenge is about developing people, including future leaders.
The many thousands of local government employees who have participated in the Management Challenge have demonstrated that almost any local government officer with the right attitude will take away enduring benefits from the experience.

Please refer to the Management Challenge Brochure for further information on:
  • Benefits of participation
  • Choosing a team and a mentor
  • How to form a team
  • Composite teams
  • How the challenge works   

Key 2025 Challenge Dates

  • Registrations open November 2025
  • Early Bird Registrations close Friday 23 January 2026
  • Registrations close Friday 13 March 2026
  • Pre-challenge Task released Wednesday 25 March 2026
  • Pre-Challenge Task due Wednesday 6 May 2026
  • Regional events run across Australia between Mar - May 2026
  • Australasian Final - August 2026

WA challenge

Venue: TBC - in Perth Metro area

Challenge Dates

The WA regional challenge is a one-day event that will take place on the 18-19 May 2026.

The Australasian final will be held in Tasmania in August 2026 (Venue TBC)

Team Registration Fees

Early bird (extended to 6 February 2026)
LG Subscribers: $6,300.00*
Non-LG Subscribers: $7,000.00

Standard (after 6 February 2026)
LG Subscribers: $6,800.00*
Non-LG Subscribers: $7,500.00

To be eligible for the early bird fee, payment must be received by Friday 23 January 2026.

* Please email [email protected] for your local government subscriber discount code (required during checkout to receive discounted fee) PRIOR to completing your team registration.

Payment can be made by credit card or EFT.
If a PO number is required by your local government or organisation, please have it ready before registering. 
An invoice is immediately, automatically generated and emailed upon submission of your online registration, missing or incorrect PO numbers may delay payment processing by your local government or organisation.

Cancellation
Whilst we are sympathetic to the inevitability of changing circumstances, each cancelled registration incurs a cost. It is for this reason that the following cancellation terms apply:

More than 14 days prior to program commencement on Wednesday 25 March 2026 - 100% Refund

Between 7 - 14 days prior to program commencement on Wednesday 25 March 2026 - 50% Refund

Within 7 days of program commencement on Wednesday 25 March 2026 - No Refund

Requests for cancellation must be made in writing to [email protected]