Local jobs first
Nil reports. The Commission did not commence or complete any Local Jobs First projects in 2023-24.
The Local Jobs First Act 2003 introduced in August 2018 brings together the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) and Major Project Skills Guarantee (MPSG) policy which were previously administered separately.
Departments and public sector bodies are required to apply the Local Jobs First policy in all projects valued at $3 million or more in Metropolitan Melbourne or for state-wide projects, or $1 million or more for projects in regional Victoria.
MPSG applies to all construction projects valued at $20 million or more. The MPSG guidelines and VIPP guidelines will continue to apply to MPSG-applicable and VIPP applicable projects respectively where contracts have been entered prior to 15 August 2018.
Social procurement
This year, the VPSC commenced drafting its first social procurement strategy, to be developed in line with Victoria’s Social Procurement Framework. The strategy outlines its commitment to leveraging procurement as a strategic tool to advance social, environmental, and economic outcomes in Victoria.
As a portfolio agency of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), the VPSC operates within the overarching policies and frameworks established by the DPC. Our proposed Social Procurement Strategy is to be developed in alignment with DPC’s procurement guidelines and strategies.
During 2023–24 the VPSC:
- Engaged 18 social benefit suppliers
- spent a total of $607,100 ex GST with certified social enterprises, Aboriginal businesses and traditional owner corporations, and social outcome companies.
- did not engage any suppliers which are not social benefit suppliers but have made social procurement commitments in their procurement contracts with the Victorian Government, all VPSC procurements engaged under a formal procurement process (i.e. > $25k) and not of a low transactional value (such as catering and photography) include review and/or assessment of the suppliers’ social procurement commitments.
Government advertising expenditure
Nil reports. The Commission did not have any advertising campaigns with a total media spend of $100,000 or greater (exclusive of GST) in 2023-24.
Consultancy expenditure
Details of consultancies valued at $10,000 or greater
In 2023-24 there were 2 consultancies where the total fees payable to consultants were $10,000 or greater. The total expenditure incurred during 2023-24 in relation to these consultancies is $129,395 (excluding GST). Details of individual consultancies are outlined in the table below.
| Consultant | Purpose | Start date |
End date |
Total approved project fee (excl. GST) | Expenditure 2023-24 (excl. GST) | Future expenditure (excl. GST) | ||||||
| Best Practice Information Management Pty Ltd | Business Security Expertise – Info Management | 27/03/23 | 30/09/23 | $115,708 | $46,995 | Nil | ||||||
| Cube Group Management Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd | VPSC Stakeholder Input and Executive Structure Review | 22/12/23 | 15/06/24 | $82,400 | $82,400 | Nil | ||||||
End of table
Details of consultancies valued under $10,000
In 2023-24, there were no consultancies engaged during the year, where the total fees payable to the individual consultancies was less than $10,000. The total expenditure incurred during 2023-24 in relation to these consultancies was $0 (excluding GST).
Information and communication technology expenditure
For the 2023-24 reporting period, the Commission had a total Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expenditure of $3,634,102, with the details shown below.
| All operational ICT expenditure | ICT expenditure related to projects that create or enhance ICT capabilities |
|||||||
| Business as Usual (BAU) ICT expenditure (Total) | Non-Business as Usual (non BAU) (Total = operational expenditure and capital expenditure | Operational expenditure | Capital expenditure | |||||
| Appropriation account | $1,606,048 | $345,164 | – | $345,164 | ||||
| Trust account | $1,682,890 | – | – | – | ||||
End of table
ICT expenditure refers to the Commission’s costs in providing business enabling ICT services within the current reporting period. It comprises Business as Usual (BAU) ICT expenditure and Non-Business as Usual (Non-BAU) ICT expenditure.
Non-BAU ICT expenditure related to extending or enhancing the Commission’s current ICT capabilities. BAU ICT expenditure is all remaining ICT expenditure that primarily relates to ongoing activities to operate and maintain the current ICT capability.
Disclosure of major contracts
During the 2023-24 financial year, the Commission did not enter any contract for greater than $10 million.
Freedom of information
The Commission is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982. The Act allows the public a right of access to documents held by the Commission. The purpose of the Act is to extend as far as possible the right of the community to access information held by government departments, local councils, ministers and other bodies subject to the Act.
An applicant has a right to apply for access to documents held by a department. This comprises documents both created by the department or supplied to the department by an external organisation or individual, and may also include maps, films, microfiche, photographs, computer printouts, computer discs, tape recordings and videotapes.
Information about the type of material produced by the Department is available on the Department’s website under its Part II Information Statement.
The Act allows a department to refuse access, either fully or partially, to certain documents or information. Examples of documents that may not be accessed include Cabinet documents; some internal working documents; law enforcement documents; documents covered by legal professional privilege, such as legal advice; personal information about other people; and information provided to a department in-confidence and information that is confidential under another Act.
Under the Act, the FOI processing time for requests received is 30 days. However, when external consultation is required under ss29, 29A, 31, 31A, 33, 34 or 35, the processing time is 45 days. Processing time may also be extended by periods of 30 days, in consultation with the applicant. With the applicant’s agreement this may occur any number of times. However, obtaining an applicant’s agreement for an extension cannot occur after the expiry of the timeframe for deciding a request.
If an applicant is not satisfied by a decision made by the Department, under section 49A of the Act, they have the right to seek a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within 28 days of receiving a decision letter.
Making a request
FOI requests can be lodged online at ovic.vic.gov.au. An application fee of $30.60 applies. Access charges may also be payable if the document pool is large and the search for material time consuming.
Access to documents can also be obtained through a written request to the Victorian Public Sector Commission as detailed in s17 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982. When making an FOI request, applicants should ensure requests are in writing and clearly identify what types of material and documents are being sought.
Requests for documents in the possession of the Commission should be addressed to:
Freedom of Information
Victorian Public Sector Commission
2 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
FOI statistics and timing
During 2023-24 the Commission received six FOI requests. The Commission finalised six FOI requests during the 12 months ending 30 June 2024. Time taken to finalise requests in 2023-24 was below 45 days. and within the statutory period. No requests were subject to a complaint or internal review by the OVIC.
Further information
Further information regarding the operation and scope of FOI can be obtained from the Act, regulations made under the Act and ovic.vic.gov.au.
Compliance with the Building Act 1993
The Commission does not own or control any government buildings and consequently is exempt from notifying its compliance with the building and maintenance provisions of the Building Act 1993 (for publicly owned buildings controlled by the Commission).
Competitive neutrality policy
Competitive neutrality requires government businesses to ensure where services compete, or potentially compete with the private sector, any advantage arising solely from their government ownership be removed if it is not in the public interest.
Government businesses are required to cost and price these services as if they were privately owned. Competitive neutrality policy supports fair competition between public and private businesses and provides government businesses with a tool to enhance decisions on resource allocation.
This policy does not override other policy objectives of government and focuses on efficiency in the provision of service. As a portfolio agency, the Commission’s information on compliance is included in the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Annual Report.
Compliance with the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 encourages and assists people in making disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies. The Act provides protection to prepare people who make disclosures in accordance with the Act and establishes a system for the matters to be disclosed, investigated and rectifying action to be taken.
The Commission does not tolerate improper conduct of employees, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct. It is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal corrupt conduct, conduct involving substantial mismanagement of public resources, or conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or the environment.
The Commission will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure to the extent it is legally possible.
Reporting procedures
At the Victorian Public Sector Commission, you can make your disclosure to:
- the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator
- the manager of the person you are making the disclosure about
- the Commissioner
- a person acting in any of the positions above.
Alternatively, disclosures may also be made directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC):
Level 1, North Tower, 459 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 1300 735 135
ibac.vic.gov.au
Further information
The Public Interest Disclosures Policy and Procedures, which outline the procedure for reporting disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Commission or any of its employees and officers, are available on the Commission’s website.
Disclosures under the Protected Disclosure Act 2012
The table below indicates the number of disclosures made by an individual to the Commission and notified to IBAC.
| 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | |
| Assessable disclosures |
0
|
0 | 0 |
End of table
Compliance with the Carers Recognition Act 2012
The Commission has taken all practical measures to comply with its obligations under the Act. This includes considering the carer relationship principles set out in the Act when setting policies and providing services (for example, reviewing our employment policies such as flexible working arrangements and leave provisions to ensure these comply with the statement of principles in the Act.
Compliance with the Disability Act 2006
The Disability Act 2006 reaffirms and strengthens the rights of people with a disability and recognises that this requires support across the government sector and within the community.
The Commission has complied with its obligations under the Disability Act 2006 to prepare a Disability Action Plan for the purpose of: reducing barriers to access goods, services and facilities, reducing barriers to persons with a disability accessing goods, services and facilities, reducing barriers to person with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment, promoting inclusion and participation in community and achieving tangible changes in attitudes and practices that discriminate against people with a disability.
Reducing barriers to accessing goods, services and facilities
The Commission:
- Continued to ensure the built environment is accessible to all employees and stakeholders.
- Actively reviewed communications content we develop and support all teams to ensure it is accessible and inclusive, and continues to meet AA accessibility standards.
Reducing barriers to persons with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment
The Commission:
- Continued to ensure our recruitment and selection practices are inclusive to people with disability.
- Embedded their Workplace Adjustment policy and procedure throughout its employee lifecycle.
- Worked with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions on a neurodiversity employment toolkit, which will soon be rolled out more broadly.
- Continued to support flexible work arrangements.
Promoting inclusion and participation in the community
The Commission:
- Continued membership with the Australia Network on Disability.
- Had employees attended VPS wide events for International Day of People with Disability, including the hallmark event from the VPS Enablers.
Achieving tangible changes in attitudes and practices that discriminate against people with disability
The Commission:
- Conducted a review of the Commission’s current and expiring Accessibility Action Plan (AAP)
- Commenced work on the Commission’s future AAP.
- Included Disability awareness in the Commission’s employee induction program.
- Work commenced on the Commission’s Social Procurement framework & policy.
- Ran one internal session to create awareness and share skills in accessibility.
- Ran a session with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), ‘Creating healthy and respectful workplaces program’ (for managers). Staff were also required to complete VEOHRC’s e-learning module – Fair, safe and inclusive workplaces: the Equal Opportunity Act.
Disclosure of emergency procurement
Nil reports. The Commission did not activate any Emergency Procurements in 2023-24 in accordance with the requirements of government policy and accompanying guidelines.
Disclosure of procurement complaints
Nil reports.
Office-based environmental impacts
The Commission is committed to environmental sustainability in its operations. The Commission supports the Victorian public sector in adopting new technology that lowers emissions and increases environmental sustainability.
The environmental report has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Directions (FRD) issued by the Minister for Finance.
Energy
| 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
| Total electricity usage (gigajoules) | 538 | 563 |
| Total green electricity (gigajoules) | 0 | 0 |
| Total gas usage (gigajoules) | 183 | 244 |
| Percentage of electricity purchased as green power (%) | 0 | 0 |
| Units of energy used per full time employee (megajoules per FTE1) | 7,698 | 6,922 |
End of table
Paper
| 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
| Total units of paper used (A4 reams equivalent) | 59 | 51 |
| Reams of paper used per FTE1 | 0.63 | 0.44 |
| Percentage of recycled content paper purchased (%) | 100 | 100 |
End of table
Water
| 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
| Total units of metered water consumed (kilolitres) | 413 | 286 |
| Units of metred water consumed per FTE (kilolitres/FTE1) | 4.4 | 2.45 |
| Units of measured water consumed in offices per unit of office area (kilolitres/m2) | 0.20 | 0.14 |
End of table
Transport
| 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
| Total energy consumption by vehicles (MJ) | 7,608 | 6,772 |
| Total distance travelled by fleet vehicles (km) | 3,173 | 2,614 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet (t CO2 e) | 0.65 | 0.482 |
| Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet 1000km travelled (t CO2 e) | 0.205 | 0.184 |
| Total distance travelled by air (km) | 17,512 | 18,446 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from air travel (t CO2 e) | 2.706 | 2.91 |
End of table
Greenhouse gas emissions
| 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from energy use (t CO2 e) | 125.35 | 134.08 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet (t CO2 e) | 0.65 | 0.482 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from air travel (t CO2 e) | 2.706 | 2.91 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from waste (t CO2 e)2 | N/A | N/A |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from paper use (t CO2 e) | 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions (t CO2 e) | 129.05 | 137.77 |
End of table
Waste
A waste audit was not carried out during 2023-24.
Notes
- Based on 93.66 average FTE for period 2023-24.
- Greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal could not be reported for 2023-24.
Additional information available on request
In compliance with the requirements of the Standing Directions 2018 under the Financial Management Act 1994, details in respect to the terms listed below have now been retained by the Commission and are available on request, subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1982:
- A statement that declarations of pecuniary interest have been duly completed by all relevant officers
- Details of shares held by a senior officer as nominee or held beneficially in a statutory authority or subsidiary
- Details of changes in prices, fees, charges, rates and levies charged by the entity
- Details of any major external reviews carried out by the entity
- Details of any major research and development activities undertaken by the entity
- Details of overseas visits undertaken including a summary of the objectives and outcomes of each visit
- Details of major promotional, public relations and marketing activities undertaken by the entity to develop community awareness of the entity and the services it provides
- Details of assessments and measures undertaken to improve the occupational health and safety of employees
- A general statement on industrial relations within the entity and details of time lost through industrial action and disputes
- A list of major committees sponsored by the entity, the purposes of each committee, and the extent to which the purposes have been achieved.