Senior Leaders Pathway to HR Certification
Get recognised for your existing skills and experience

AHRI’s Senior Leaders Pathway (SLP) to HR Certification is for senior HR leaders who have significant industry experience and qualifications. This pathway provides recognition of your existing in-depth experience and continuous learning ambitions.
Demonstrate your critical analysis, strategy, and leadership skills as an expert HR and people leader
Signal to your professional community that your skills represent best-practice HR leadership.
Elevate your professional credentials and career opportunities with your CPHR post-nominals
Earn 32 CPD points and model excellence in the workplace by continuing to develop your skills and knowledge
Become part of a senior network of Certified HR leaders across Australia
Certification drives positive change for the entire HR profession
Elevate professional standards
by adopting an established benchmark of excellence for all HR professionals.
Join the movement
towards global HR certification and international mobility.
Boost credibility & confidence
by demonstrating that HR possesses the skills to navigate complex people and business challenges effectively.
Inspire emerging HR professionals
and invest in the long-term success and sustainability of the HR profession by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.
How does the Senior Leaders Pathway work?
For successful completion of this program, candidates are required to select one of three assessment modes and:
Present a case study that demonstrates your skills, knowledge, and expertise in driving HR strategy
Upload documents, peer reviews, and/or recommendations to support your application
Participate in a 45-minute professional discussion with an experienced SLP Assessor (FCPHR)
Candidate submissions are reviewed against a robust criterion by an experienced SLP Assessor. The Assessor’s recommendation will then be reviewed by the AHRI National Certification Council (NCC) and, if successful, certification status will be granted.
Start your pathway to Certification
You can apply to commence your Senior Leaders Pathway to Certification at any time and there is no set timeline for candidates to complete their submissions.
First, confirm you meet the eligibility criteria:
Professional AHRI membership status at MAHRI level or higher. Not a member? Sign up now.
10+ years' generalist HR experience with 5+ years' experience in a leadership/management role
The ability to demonstrate leadership across HR strategy (generalist or specialist)
Completion of a relevant postgraduate qualification, or equivalent knowledge, skills and/or experience.
Then, select your preferred assessment mode:
Workplace Case Study
Virtual Presentation
Present a detailed account of a project you have implemented within the last 5 years, demonstrating how it has impacted on the business.
Cost: $800
Workplace Case Study
Written Report
Submit a written account of a project you have implemented within the last 5 years, demonstrating how it has impacted on the business.
Cost: $800
AHRI Case Study
Virtual Simulation
If you don’t have a suitable HR case study from the past five years, you can respond to an AHRI-prepared case study.
Cost: $800

"The fellowship guidelines helped me align the skills I've developed over the years and direct them towards the future goals I wish to achieve. The [pathway] also allowed me to reflect on my career; it was really eye-opening to see everything I've managed to achieve."
Naveen Lakshmaiya FCPHR, General Manager, HR, Energy Fiji Limited.
Frequently asked questions
You can apply to commence your Senior Leaders Pathway to Certification at any time. AHRI will advise the closing dates for completed applications to be submitted based on the National Certification Council (NCC) quarterly meeting cycle. Applicants will be advised which meeting their application will be submitted to and be notified of certification outcomes following the meeting.
Yes. The three SLP modes enable HR professionals without access to recent case study materials to apply for certification, and allows applicants to select the mode that suits their preferred working style. The assessment provides for both HR specialists and generalists to undertake certification in a way that is reflective of their skills, knowledge, and expertise.
There is no set timeline for candidates to complete their submissions. The Senior Leaders Pathway has been designed to reflect the existing knowledge and capability of senior HR leaders and therefore there is no coursework required. Each SLP mode is structured in a different way, and you choose which one will work best for you. The National Certification Council (NCC) oversees all submissions and meet four times a year. Once your submission is completed and assessed, your application will be reviewed at the next sitting of the NCC.
Depending on the mode you select, an application might take anywhere from a day or so through to a number of weeks to prepare and present. You can schedule your certification journey into your available time. The AHRI team will be available to support you throughout if/when you need it.
The Australian HR Capability Framework details the knowledge, behaviours and skills required by HR practitioners and recognised by employers as ‘best practice’. The Framework gives HR professionals a guide as to the expectations of the level or seniority i.e. Early career, mid-career, senior leader and fellow etc. The SLP is designed for senior leaders to demonstrate the capabilities set out in the framework for those operating at senior level in driving HR strategy and elevating the HR practices of your organisation and teams. The HR Capability Framework is linked to a Skills Analysis Tool which can help in identifying any further learning or capability gaps. We recommend you take the time to complete the tool before submitting your SLP application.
All 3 modes are $800 each. Education is excluded from GST, and you may be able to claim your study as a tax deduction. AHRI has structured the SLP pricing model as a flat rate across all 3 modules – irrespective of the level of student and assessor time requirement to encourage participants to choose the module which best reflects their commitment and approach.
Education fees are GST exempt, and, if applicable, you may be eligible to claim the Senior Leaders Pathway as a tax deduction. Please note, candidates who do not achieve certification are not eligible for a refund.
Can’t find the answer to your question above?
The AHRI Student Support Team are here to assist you on your certification journey so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Upgrade to an AHRI Fellowship
If you’re already a certified AHRI member, you can be considered for AHRI fellowship or apply for AHRI fellowship in conjunction with your Senior Leader application.

Level 2, 31 Queen Street
Melbourne
Victoria, 3000
Phone: 1300 811 880
Email: [email protected]