Future Leader Program 2026 – Melbourne

For over 17 years, Consult Australia’s Future Leader Program has been the benchmark for leadership development in the built and natural environment sectors. Proudly delivered every year in Sydney and newly expanded to Melbourne in 2024, and reaching Brisbane in 2026, this prestigious program is now empowering the next generation of consulting leaders across Australia.

Designed for high-performing professionals with 5-10 years of experience, the program offers a once-in-a-career opportunity to accelerate growth, strengthen leadership capability, and expand networks across the industry.

Participants gain invaluable insights from leading facilitators and industry mentors while building the confidence, communication, and emotional intelligence that define exceptional leaders. From mastering negotiation and stakeholder engagement to developing strategic influence and innovation, this program is a proven pathway to professional excellence.

Why Your Organisation Should Invest

Give your rising stars the chance to:

• Build authentic leadership and management capability.
• Strengthen collaboration and strategic thinking.
• Gain confidence and tools to lead high-performing teams.
• Develop new networks and relationships across industry.
• Access the latest insights shaping the consulting profession.

This is the program for your future leaders, an experience that transforms potential into performance.

Program Topics

Participants engage in interactive sessions covering a wide range of contemporary leadership and professional development themes, including:

• Government & Stakeholder Relations
• Innovation for Excellence
• Strategic Networking
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Emotional Intelligence
• Understanding Finance
• Effective Leadership
• Presentation Skills
• Negotiation Skills …and more.

Real Projects. Real Impact.

Each participant team works on a live industry project, not a simulation, delivering genuine outcomes for project hosts such as:

• School Infrastructure NSW
• Health Infrastructure NSW
• Transport for NSW
• Infrastructure Australia

Every project group is guided by a senior industry mentor, ensuring a deeply practical and high-impact learning journey.

What our Participants have said:

Dean Garroway - Jacobs - Senior Civil Engineer

“This program serves as a fantastic platform for emerging professionals to develop essential skills and gain insights into thriving in the consulting industry. One of the sessions was particularly enlightening, as it helped me identify my strengths and understand how to effectively apply them to my project work, significantly enhancing my professional development. The facilitators were outstanding, and I left each session feeling inspired about how I could implement those learnings in my own work. I recommend this program to anyone looking to elevate their career. It’s a valuable experience that can truly make a difference.

I would highly recommend the Future Leader Program.”

Mary Hadjiangeli - SMEC - Team Leader ‑ Structures, Rail

“Being part of the Future Leaders Program in 2025 was an incredibly rewarding experience. The best part for me was the connections I made, many of whom  I’m still in touch with from the cohort today. Each session offered something valuable, from practical leadership insights to ways of using AI more effectively in our day-to-day work. I’ve taken bits and pieces from the program and applied them in my role ever since. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow both personally and professionally.”

Brendan Walton - Arcadis - Chartered Principal Civil Engineer and Team Leader

“Future Leader Program is an empowering course that I feel can really assists in providing the skills and tools needed to become the future leaders of our industry. The team project and the people I worked with, were by far my most enjoyed experience. Working with individuals with such a variety of skill sets and personalities and seeing how our differences when brought together just made us stronger – it was very ‘circle of life’ type of harmony. We work hard but we got to create long lasting connections and see some of them regular today.

I would recommend the Future Leader Program to those that want to improve their leadership game. The diverse group of presenters from contract laws to personal branding really provide spectrum of skills for your toolbox in creative ways to spark group engagement on otherwise potentially dry subjects. It really gives you an insight in our industries business and management that for those seeking a future in leadership can learn and be inspired by – whether you are inspired by the presenters or even those who complete the course with you.”

Event Details

Date: 16 Fortnightly sessions commencing 9 April 2026

Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm including dinner

Venue: Melbourne CBD Location (TBA)

Cost: Incl GST

Early Bird (member only) closes Friday 6 February, 2026 - $6,980.00

Member after 6 February 2026 - $7,970.00

Non-member - $9,500.00

10% off for 3 or more participants from the same organisation (can combine across the three states) using discount code: FutureLeader3 during checkout.

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