Building Capability Across the Sector | National CPD Program Update
June 2026
The TPA National CPD Program offers a structured, practical learning pathway for transport professionals at all career stages, supporting the ongoing development of capability across the sector.
Launched in May 2026, the program was designed to help practitioners stay informed on emerging issues while strengthening core skills and applying tools in practice. Each session delivers tangible, relevant learning outcomes that can be directly applied to real-world projects, while also providing opportunities to explore more advanced or specialist topics as careers progress.
Delivered entirely online, the program gives professionals the flexibility to learn live from anywhere, making high-quality professional development more accessible than ever. Sessions are clearly categorised to guide participants on the level and focus of each offering, helping them shape a learning pathway that meets their individual needs.
Since its launch, the program has seen strong uptake across the industry, with over 500 attendees participating across 12 sessions to date (May - June 2026).
This early success highlights both the demand for practical, industry-led learning and the value of a nationally coordinated CPD offering for transport professionals.
A program grounded in practice
The strength of the National CPD Program lies in its practical focus, with each session designed to deliver actionable insights.
Early sessions set the foundation for integrated and people-focused transport planning. Integrating transport planning - from Policy to Del,ivery led by Mary Haverland and Nicole Vuckic from Avandra Advisory explored how practitioners can bridge the gap between statutory requirements and best practice, equipping participants with tools and frameworks to translate policy into outcomes.
This was complemented by Engagement that moves people, hosted by Anna Deller- Coombs, which reinforced the importance of meaningful community engagement, sharing practical ways to uncover lived experience and strengthen project outcomes
Responding to evolving challenges
Several sessions tackled the changing nature of work and its implications for transport systems.
Flexible Working – a benefit, burden or balancing act? curated by the TPA WA Branch unpacked the real-world impacts of hybrid work on productivity, equity and travel behaviour, encouraging open discussion and reflection across the profession.
This theme continued in Working from home in strategic models curated by the TPA VIC/TAS TMN team, where practitioners explored how evolving work patterns are being incorporated into transport modelling to better forecast future demand.
Supporting evidence-based decision making
A strong focus of the program has been improving the evidence base for transport planning.
Fragmented Surveys to National Evidence led by Dr Supun Perera and Professor Michael Bell from ITLS at the University of NSW highlighted the limitations of current trip generation approaches and examined how initiatives like TRIPS can improve data quality, comparability and long-term value.
Similarly, Infrastructure Victoria’s updated 30-year strategy, curated by the VIC/TAS Branch, provided insight into how governments balance competing priorities over the long term, including the role of consultation and cross-sector planning.
Designing safer, more liveable places
A key theme across multiple sessions has been the shift toward safer, more people-centred streets and places.
Designing Safe, Walkable and Connected Urban Systems explored how land use, network design and behavioural insights influence walking, while introducing tools and frameworks to improve pedestrian outcomes
This was reinforced through sessions such as:
- Safe Active Streets, showcasing how 30 km/h environments can encourage walking, wheeling and riding, supported by real-world pilot program insights
- Network Safety Plans for Local Governments, demonstrating how councils can proactively manage risk across entire networks
- Rural Intersection Design 101, focusing on critical safety considerations in high-speed environments
Together, these sessions highlight a growing industry focus on safety, accessibility and liveability as core transport outcomes.
Advancing technical capability
The program also continues to build core technical skills across the profession.
Fundamentals of Pedestrian Planning and Modelling hosted by Eric Rivers from Arup, introduced key concepts, methodologies and tools used to design and assess pedestrian networks, supporting more sustainable and equitable mobility outcomes.
These technical sessions ensure attendees are equipped with both foundational knowledge and emerging approaches to meet the demands of increasingly complex urban environments.
Driving national conversation and action
The most recent sessions have also begun to look outward, connecting Australian practice to global priorities.
Could Australian Governments Invest 10% of Road Budgets in Liveable Streets? led by Sam Johnson from The World Bank - challenged traditional funding models and made the case for long-term investment in people-centred infrastructure, aligned with the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport.
This reflects the broader ambition of the CPD Program: not just to share knowledge, but to spark meaningful discussion and action across our community and the transport industry.
Looking ahead
With strong participation and positive momentum, the National CPD Program is continuing to grow as a key platform for professional development, knowledge sharing and industry leadership.
As new sessions are released, the program will continue to respond to emerging trends, support capability building, and connect practitioners across the country.
Explore upcoming sessions and continue building their professional development journey through the CPD Program.