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Education designed for impact
You can learn the principles of governance anywhere.
But if you’ve got your sights set on a future seat at the table, you need a reputable governance education focused on strategic leadership—a course built especially for the boardroom.
For more than 50 years, the AICD’s Company Directors Course has provided world-class governance education to more than 100,000 participants, including directors of the most successful organisations in the country.
Join them and take your place in the future of governance in Australia.
Course snapshot
How long it takes
5 days (+ 6 weeks pre-reading)
When you can start
Courses are run regularly throughout the year. Explore upcoming course dates.
Different ways to learn
You’ll find a course format to suit your lifestyle: face to face, virtual, residential, and self-paced online.
Chart your course
Why choose the Company Directors Course
Whether your goal is to get yourself board-ready or just strengthen your understanding of governance, attaining your GAICD sets you apart from the competition. And the AICD’s Company Directors Course is the only course to offer it.
The prestigious post-nominals are awarded to participants who successfully complete the optional assessments and maintain AICD membership.
With its breadth of experience over four decades, the AICD has played a pivotal role in advising and influencing governance policies and practices at a national government level.
Taking our Company Directors Course means you’re kept across the most contemporary issues of our time—learning from an organisation that not only teaches great governance but helps shape it.
The Company Directors Course is not just a course. It’s your key to the world’s largest director community.
Pairing your education with subsidised AICD membership gives you the opportunity to connect with 53,000 directors, senior executives and governance professionals (as well as resources, courses and events) to support your professional development at every stage of your career.
The Company Directors Course is recognised for advanced standing by 23 universities and institutions.
Our course content at a glance
Written, reviewed and delivered by practicing directors, our renowned curriculum brings to life five governance areas using practical videos, real-world case studies and engaging simulations. Below is an outline of each subject area.
• Develop a director mindset by learning the difference between governing and managing.
• Find out how governance structures impact organisational performance and culture.
• Understand how evolving societal expectations impact trust and business legitimacy.
• Deepen your understanding of your directors’ duties, including fiduciaries, loyalty and good faith, and care and due diligence.
• Recognise your responsibilities to employees, environmental law and climate change.
• Stay up to date on competition law, consumer protection, privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property and international operations.
Gain essential knowledge of board-level strategy development and monitoring, as well as all aspects of organisational risk:
• Structures for risk management and reporting
• Setting risk appetite
• The role of the board in risk oversight
• Where risk, strategy and culture intersect
• Crisis management and organisational resilience.
• Understand your internal and external financial reporting obligations and responsibilities.
• Apply theoretical knowledge to interpreting financial statements and ratio analysis.
• Understand the three stages of board reporting and how to frame financial questions.
• Recognise insolvency signs and consequences.
• Learn how to create value and improve organisational performance through your board.
• Build a constructive board culture that values open discussion and collective decision making.
• Understand the importance of developing as a director, as well as evaluating and renewing the board.
Complimentary modules
Course participants also receive complimentary access to the Interpreting Financial Statements and The Director Mindset modules normally valued at $600 (FY26 price $300 each for a non-member).
Experienced and expert facilitators
Real-world boardroom expertise
Our facilitators are leading non-executive directors who bring a wealth of experience in governance and boardroom dynamics. Gain unparalleled practical, real-world knowledge and actionable expertise that goes beyond theory.
Engaging, hands-on delivery
Enhance your governance knowledge and skills in a supportive environment designed to foster active participation. Our dynamic, practical teaching methods make complex topics accessible and engaging. Participate in live simulations and active discussions of real-world case studies.
Tailored insights
Our expert facilitators offer personalised advice and sector-specific knowledge for publicly listed, private, government and not-for-profit organisations. Whether you’re an aspiring director or a practising board member, our content is highly relevant for you, your role and your organisation.
Strengthening governance since 1975
The world-renowned Company Directors Course has given generations of executives and directors the skills and knowledge to thrive in their boardroom journeys. It began life as a correspondence course—the first of its kind in the world—and has since helped over 100,000 participants from every sector of industry understand the complexities and opportunities of governance.
Learn in a way that suits you
- Overview
- Face to face
- Virtual classroom
- Residential
- Self-paced online
No matter which Company Directors Course format you choose, you receive the same world-class governance curriculum content.
Face to face
Organic group sessions delivered in a contemporary classroom setting at a location near you.
Virtual classroom
Online group learning that provides the same level of interactivity as in-person classes but from the convenience of wherever you are.
Residential
Immersive group learning experience on location, including class time, down time, networking, and social dinners and drinks.
Self-paced online
Independent learning in your own time and space with pre-recorded sessions and no set classes to attend.
In-house governance guidance
As well as facilitating governance education for individuals, the AICD provides guidance for teams, boards and entire organisations. From building governance frameworks and upskilling directors to performing a full diagnostic of a board’s performance against best practice benchmarks, bringing the AICD in-house gives you an independent perspective on how to unlock your organisation’s full potential.
Face to face format - intensive and weekly options
If you learn best by bouncing ideas off others in a classroom-style environment, you’ll thrive being face to face with your peers and facilitators, where you can take advantage of organic opportunities to connect, learn and share in a timeframe that suits you over five days or five weeks.
There are two ways to take the course face to face:
Five-Day Intensive: Five full-day sessions delivered consecutively.
Over Five Weeks: Five full-day sessions delivered one day per week for five consecutive weeks.
The course includes six weeks of pre- reading.
If you choose to take the course over five weeks, you can complete the pre-reading either upfront or one week before each session.
The Course Cut-Off Date for transfers and refunds is eight weeks prior to the advertised date.
There are three assessment tasks: the assignment, exam and quiz. You have 90 days to complete.
You must successfully complete these to achieve the Company Directors Course Award and GAICD post-nominal.
$9,700 for AICD members, $13,100 for non-members.
We recommend non-members purchase with AICD membership to enjoy a $3,400 discount.
Step into a director mindset
Virtual classroom format
If you thrive in engaging group sessions but value the flexibility of studying remotely from any location, you’ll enjoy the convenience of our virtual classroom.
Your course readings can be completed one week at a time, before each virtual classroom. This staged approach gives you the opportunity to reflect and apply learnings before tackling new topics, as well as better manage your schedule.
The Course Cut-Off Date for transfers and refunds is two weeks prior to the advertised date.
Week 1 kicks off with a virtual introductory session where you’ll meet your peers and facilitators, and talk through the course structure and expectations.
Five full-day virtual classroom sessions, one session held each week over 5 weeks.
Session recordings are made available after each class for you to review.
$8,300 for AICD members, $11,600 for non-members.We recommend non-members purchase with AICD membership to enjoy a $3,300 discount.
There are three assessment tasks: the assignment, exam and quiz. You have 90 days to complete.
You must successfully complete these to achieve the Company Directors Course Award and GAICD post-nominal.
Residential format
If you’d like to give your governance education your undivided attention, you’ll love our residential format. Leave your work and personal commitments behind for a week, and dive right into five days of learning and networking with your peers.
The relaxed setting makes room for sharing ideas, sharing meals and a learning experience you’ll never forget.
We’ve allocated six weeks pre-reading time for you to complete all course materials before arriving on retreat.
The Course Cut-Off Date for transfers and refunds is eight weeks prior to the advertised date.
Our five-day retreats are held in idyllic surroundings, with previous locations including:
• Byron Bay (NSW)
• Bunker Bay (WA)
• Mornington Peninsula (Vic)
Five full-day sessions facilitated by practising directors and business leaders in a highly interactive setting.
Sessions are held each day over one week (Monday to Friday).
• Accommodation for 4 nights, 5 days (Monday to Friday)
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Networking dinners
Monday to Thursday night
• Cocktail hour on Day 5
There are three assessment tasks: the assignment, exam and quiz. You have 90 days to complete.
You must successfully complete these to achieve the Company Directors Course Award and GAICD post-nominal.
$13,435 for AICD members, $16,835 for non-members.
We recommend non-members purchase with AICD membership to enjoy a $3,400 discount.
Advance your career
Self-paced online format
If you’re an independent learner who can confidently set your own study schedule, you’ll love the flexibility of the self-paced format. You’ll have six months to complete the same reading, exercises and optional assessments as the other formats. You’ll receive a suggested study plan and access to support resources to help you.
The Course Cut-Off Date for transfers and refunds is two weeks prior to the advertised date.
As well as your hard copy course content, you will have access to the AICD’s online learning platform, which includes course notes, case studies, videos and quizzes.
Two online sessions are conducted each month including one content presentation and one application-based board scenario session. You’ll cover each of the five themes on a monthly rotation.
Within your 6-month learning period, you can choose to complete three optional assessment tasks: an assignment, an exam and a quiz.
You must successfully complete these to achieve the Company Directors Course Award and GAICD post-nominal.
$5,800 for AICD members, $8,000 for non-members.
We recommend non-members purchase with AICD membership to enjoy a $2,200 discount.
The boardroom awaits
Start your directorship career (or take your next strategic step) with the Company Directors Course.
Filter our course calendar by selecting your preferred location, course format or date range. When enrolling in a face to face course, you'll notice that the course start and end dates cover either a five-day or five-week period for you to choose from. If you need any assistance, please call us on 1300 739 119.
All enrolments are subject to availability and you will not be enrolled until payment is received in full. If your preferred class date is unavailable when received, we'll help you reschedule or provide a full refund.
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Meet your member partner today
When you join or learn with the AICD, we’re there to guide you every step of the way. Every member is paired with a Member Support professional they can talk to throughout their membership.
If you have any questions about our Company Directors Course, please send us an enquiry and we’ll get in touch.
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