Are you working in government, the not-for-profit sector or in philanthropy and interested in strengthening your approach to co-design and co-production? This short course will give you a conceptual, practical, and pragmatic grounding in how to do effective co-design in your organisation.

You’ll learn to apply co-design with Carla Clarence, TACSI’s Future of Mental Health lead and TACSI lived expertise associates Kirsty Rosie and Peter Kennedy.

They’ll help you get clear on what it takes to do co-design and co-production well, and give you the tools needed to explore how you can realise co-design in your work, your organisation, and the broader system.

The course is based on TACSI’s 14 years experience co-designing services and policy in education, disability, home and housing, health and mental health settings, ageing and communities. Participants have come from a range of social purpose organisations, including government departments, service providers and academics to build co-design capability. 

Your facilitators

Carla Clarence

Future of Mental Health, TACSI

Carla is passionate about supporting mental health practitioners and transforming how we approach mental health as a society. Over the last five years, she has led over 30 co-design and co-planning projects in mental health settings including with not-for-profits, private health networks, and government, as well as philanthropically-funded work. With a practice-based background of case work, coaching, and working with people experiencing extremely complex life challenges, she understands the realities of making ‘co’ work across the service-system.

Peter Kennedy

Lived Expertise Associate, TACSI. Peer Worker, Ballarat Community Care.

A proud Narungga and Wotjobaluk Aboriginal man. Peter’s lived and professional experiences include peer work, participating in co‑design activities as a lived‑experience participant, the criminal justice system and connecting isolated people with community supports.

Kirsty Rosie

Lived Expertise Associate, TACSI

Kirsty’s lived and professional experiences include being a carer to family members living through complex challenges, working as a lived-experience Family/Carer consultant advising on mental health reform, participating in co-design projects, and co-developing this learning experience. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Management and Economics) and a Masters in Public Policy.

What you'll receive

  • Pre network kickoff co-design article and reflective activity

  • Two day online sessions facilitated by TACSI and lived experience partners

  • Opportunities to connect with people exploring co-design in service settings across Australia

  • Practical co-design learning resources that build a foundation of knowledge

  • A co-design tool package to take with you on your co-design journey

Seven things you’ll learn to do

  • Choose the best-fit co-design approach

  • Use design-thinking methods for identifying opportunities and testing solutions

  • Facilitate constructive conversations about planning feasible co-design projects

  • Create stronger organisational and system-wide conditions for co-design

  • Know your personal strengths and your growth areas when it comes to co-design

  • Create brave and safe-enough spaces for co-design activities

  • Connect with a network of peers when you need support

Timing and pricing

May 2025

Time & Duration:

Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 May 2025, 9.30am - 4.30pm AEST

Technology:
Hosted online via Zoom
Learning materials accessible via web browser 

Price: 
AUD $2,145 per participant inclusive taxes.
(AUD $1,950 ex GST in Australia)

Receipt:
On purchase you will receive a receipt by email that will show GST for customers in Australia.

Group booking and paying by invoice:

To make a group booking or pay by invoice, email [email protected] with your details.

This course can also be delivered to your organisation, tailored to your needs, at a time that works for your team. See Foundations for Co-design for organisations for pricing or contact [email protected] to find out more.

Scholarships and subsidies:
Limited free places available for First Nations people, people with lived experience, and low-income earners. If you are seeking one of these places, email [email protected] for more information.

Course curriculum

  1. Welcome!

  2. Important Links

  3. Module 1: What is co-design and co-production?

  4. Module 2: Co-Production Mindsets & Practices

  5. Module 3: Power & co-production

  6. Module 4: Creating the conditions for co-design

About this course

  • $2,145.00
  • 20 & 21 May 2025
  • Online sessions

What learners said

“The content was fabulous but the format was absolutely outstanding - thank you for mixing it up with different speakers, activities, breaks, own reflections, etc, it's really helped me stay engaged and leave feeling really inspired and motivated [as a result of this course] I will start by having a yarn with the LE team at work, looking at the ready, able, willing tool, thinking about opportunities to incorporate the mindsets and tools day to day, and also how we can advocate upwards within the org for stronger commitment to co-design.”

Participant, 2024

“I enjoyed the different modes of learning - input, story, podcast, film, personal experience sharing. I loved the way the work of TACSI was really opened up to demonstrate co-design. I appreciated the sharing of what went wrong. Two days online is tough so I think everything I mentioned made that doable. I also appreciate the sense of connection in the group, that speaks to the quality of facilitation to be able to create that on zoom. [my ah-ha moment was] Definitely understanding power. Also what is meant by lived/living experience. This course helped me think deeply about voice and agency for student, parents and staff in the community without being in a grounded education context. The tools and processes were invaluable learning.”

Principal, St Mary's College Adelaide, 2024

“[the part I liked the most was] The relationships with others and their stories. [after this course I plan to...] Start from a point of identifying and naming the power in the space [and] Adopt co-design principles throughout my work. The course was a safe space to learn and share about different ways of knowing, being and belonging.”

Senior Aboriginal Consultant, Department for Education, 2024

“I loved this course! My favourite part was the mix of delivery. I think the mixture of case studies, lived experiences, breakout groups, conversations, activities was perfect and kept me engaged and my energy going. [as a result of this course] I have definitely shifted my thinking toward more relationship focus, and being mindful of how to let people of diverse backgrounds have their voices heard. I want to work towards implementing more co-planning and co-design processes in my work moving forward, and ensuring that I always consult with members with lived experience in a culturally informed and safe way. I think there were many [ah-ha moments] throughout the past couple of days, but I think the biggest moment was leading through vulnerability to break down imbalances of power.”

Participant, 2024

“I cannot recommend TACSI’s Co-Design Learning Network highly enough. Brilliantly presented and worked through, I have gained valuable information and tools to seriously bring about true teamwork and co-design to my workplace.”

Participant, 2023

“The co-facilitation was fantastic, enabling many additional aspects or ideas to be gently presented.”

Participant, 2023

“The course supported me to understand the co-design process and to apply it in practice.”

Participant, 2023

“The variety of 'lived experience storytelling', case studies, 1 way slide presentations / theory, group discussions.... a great blend. I LOVE Carla's facilitation style and the way you demonstrate being relational and inclusive. So many [ah-ha moments].... On day 1, the set-up about co-design and that it's a returning to ways we want to work in and being relational. I also had an ah-ha moment in the learning about the 'co-planning' phase where the co-design group can decide on the project parametres and principles (sand box activity) [as a result of this course] My frame of understanding the experience of lived experience participants has changed, I will now be able to have more of an understanding of their experience during and throughout the co-design process”

Jess Watson, Senior Social Innovator TACSI, 2024

“My key takeaway is to ensure that when I’m facilitating a workshop, I actively address power dynamics while providing an inclusive and 'safe enough' environment for everyone to participate. Creating this space allows all voices to be heard, ensuring that insights are gathered equitably and meaningfully from everyone involved”

Leanne Quach, Social Innovator TACSI, 2024

“I'm definitely going to be more aware of power imbalances, and of the unique kinds of power people hold”

Participant, 2023

Secure your spot

Any questions? Get in touch with TACSI’s Learning Coordinator ([email protected])

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FAQs

  • Are there any scholarships or subsidies?

    Yes, we reserve two free places per network cohort for First Nations applicants, folks with lived expertise, and low-income earners. Contact our Learning Coordinator, ([email protected]), to request your place.

  • Can I register a group?

    Absolutely. Creating the conditions for co-design or co-production is a collective endeavour. Enrolling as an organisation (or group of organisations) will help you build a shared understanding and shared language, while giving you the opportunity to work through challenges specific to your context. Contact our Learning Coordinator, [email protected] to talk about your options.

  • How long will I have access?

    You will have lifelong access to the course materials.

  • Will I get a certificate?

    Yes, you will be presented with a certificate on completing the course.

  • What if I realise I can’t attend the course after purchasing it?

    Networks and courses are non-refundable. If you are not able to make a network, and let us know more than 14 days before the start date, we will issue you a credit note (valid for 12 months) for use in a later network or course. At any point before the start date of the network you can transfer your place to a colleague at no additional cost. Contact our Learning Coordinator, via email [email protected] if you have any questions.

  • Can I get a tax invoice?

    When you purchase via our secure online platform a tax invoice will be sent to your email address.

  • Who can I talk to about any other questions?

    You can speak with our Learning Coordinator, via email [email protected]