Financial performance reporting

Summary of financial results

The table below summarises information from the Board’s financial reports for the 2021–22 financial year. It includes comparative results for the previous 4 years.

Five-year financial summary

Revenue

Total income increased by $1.2 million in 2021–22 with the receipt of additional funding to tackle the digital skills divide to get Victorians into jobs.

Expenses

Expenses in 2021–22 increased by $4.4 million, reflecting an increase in training delivery grants compared with 2020–21, in part due to the impact of the COVID-19 environment.

Organisational structure and corporate governance

Board membership matters

The Board has 12 members, including a chairperson and a deputy chairperson. Members are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister for Training and Skills.

Members of the Board reflect the breadth and diversity of adult education in the community, and provide links to government, industry and community sector activity.

On 20 July 2021, Ms Peters was reappointed to the Board as Chairperson for a 3-year term, and Ms Brennan and Mr Grogan were each reappointed to the Board for another 3-year term.

On 25 September 2021, Mr Wainwright’s term on the Board ended.

On 19 October 2021, Dr Lam was appointed Acting Deputy Chairperson of the Board from 18 October 2021 to 25 October 2021. On 19 October 2021, Dr Lam was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Board from 26 October 2021 to 30 April 2023.

On 21 December 2021, Mr Ozyurek and Ms Sansom were each appointed to the Board for a 3‑year term.

On 29 March 2022, Ms Lewis was appointed to a short-term appointment from 1 May 2022 to 30 June 2022, and Ms Wilson was appointed to a short-term appointment from 13 May 2022 to 30 June 2022. These short-term appointments were made while recruitment to the Board was finalised.

On 30 June 2022, the terms on the Board of Ms Lewis and Ms Wilson ended. On 1 July 2022, Ms Lewis was reappointed to the Board for another 3-year term.

ACFE Board members 2021–22

Ms Maria Peters (Chairperson) has been involved in the adult education and vocational sectors for more than 30 years, and is a respected leader in VET at state, national and international levels. Ms Peters has held a wide range of management, leadership and governance roles, including at Chisholm TAFE, where she had management roles in adult community education and foundation areas, before becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2011.

Ms Peters has a strong track record of service to communities, with a focus on improved participation, and strong student and industry outcomes. As a recipient of the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2017 Victorian Training Awards, Ms Peters was recognised for leading significant educational innovation in the VET sector. In 2018, Ms Peters was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Education from Swinburne University of Technology for her outstanding leadership and commitment to vocational education.

Ms Peters was the Independent Chairperson of the Future Opportunities for Adult Learners in Victoria Reference Group. She is a member of the RMIT University Council and was appointed to the Victorian Skills Authority Board in late 2021.

Mr Raoul Wainwright (Deputy Chairperson to 25 September 2021) has a background in public policy, industrial relations and community services. He is a legal officer for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union. Mr Wainwright holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, has had ministerial advisory roles, and has been a member of local government. Mr Wainwright has longstanding experience in working with government at all levels, and is committed to improving access to educational opportunities for all Victorians. Mr Wainwright’s term on the Board ended on 25 September 2021.

Dr Maylyn Lam (Deputy Chairperson from 26 October 2021) has held senior policy and research roles in non-government organisations, including a role as Deputy Chief Executive Officer for peak body Jobs Australia. She worked for the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in 2021 and 2022, managing the Decent Work grants program, was a Commissioner for the National Youth Commission into Youth Unemployment and Transitions (2019 to 2020), and is Chairperson of the Board of Youth Development Australia. Dr Lam is currently working for the Brotherhood of St Laurence as an advisor to the Given the Chance employment services social enterprise. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Education from the University of Melbourne.

Mr James Atkinson has a lifelong commitment to the preservation of First Nations culture, language and customs, and to the regeneration and continued advancement of his community. He has 35 years of experience across a range of Aboriginal services and government departments.

Mr Atkinson is Chief Executive Officer with the Aboriginal Community Elders Services. Previously, he was Director, Strategy and Development, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Chief Executive Officer of Rumbalara Aboriginal Co‑operative, and has held senior positions in the department.

He has a strong academic background in public policy and management, extensive experience in leadership and management focusing on the strategic planning, staffing and complex stakeholder management for Aboriginal organisations, and in Aboriginal education in early childhood, TAFE and the school sectors.

He also has significant involvement in state and federal government, and community advisory groups, and extensive connection and engagement with organisations focused on certainty of access to services for First Nations Australians.

Ms Sally Brennan is an experienced education consultant with a particular focus on community development and adult community education. She has extensive experience in the Learn Local sector, including 22 years as Chief Executive Officer of Upper Yarra Community House (now Cire Services), and in representing peak bodies at state and national levels.

Ms Brennan has worked with all levels of government, creating and maintaining local and regional services, engaging with communities, and working with industry and education providers to improve learning outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners. Ms Brennan has postgraduate qualifications in adult learning and development, including a Master of Education, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Claudia Fatone is the Head of Operations for Man Cave Global, a mental health and emotional intelligence charity, whose mission is to empower boys to become great men, by providing them and their communities with impactful programs, role models and resources. Prior to this role, Ms Fatone was Chief Executive Officer of the Fitzroy Legal Service, one of Australia’s oldest community legal centres.

Her work experience has included roles as Sector Development Manager of the Federation of Community Legal Centres, Associate Director of Sport Employment Australia, and Women’s Cricket Operations Manager with Cricket Victoria. A graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Ms Fatone is also a board member of Respect Victoria, and an external member of the Victoria University Compliance Audit and Risk Committee. She is a former director of Cricket Victoria, Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades, and a former board member of the Victoria Law Foundation.

Mr Michael Grogan is the State Director of Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian branches of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre. Previously Chief Executive Officer of Sutton Tools Pty Ltd, Mr Grogan sits on the Board of Manufacturing Skills Australia, and is Director of DMTC (formerly known as the Defence Materials Technology Centre). He chairs the William Ruthven Secondary College School Council, is the Director of Evolve in Focus and is a board member of Melbourne Polytechnic.

Ms Margaret Lewis has wide-ranging experience on community boards and committees. Ms Lewis is currently the Chair of Remembrance Parks Central Victoria and a board member of Castlemaine Health (now Dhelkaya Health), Planning for Sustainable Animal Industries Implementation Reference Group, and Joyces Creek Cemetery Trust, in addition to other non-government bodies and committees. She has extensive experience in education, having been a teacher for 25 years and a principal for 18 years in the Loddon Mallee Region. She was on the board of the Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network for more than 20 years, and Deputy Chair for many years before retiring in May 2022.

Mr John Maddock AM has extensive governance and senior executive leadership experience in the tertiary and adult education sectors, including as Chief Executive Officer of Box Hill Institute, the Gordon Institute of TAFE and the CAE. His governance experience as a non-executive director in the education sector includes the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Board, Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre Board of Trustees, Deakin University Council, Monash University Faculty of Education Board, Innovation and Business Skills Australia, Australian Training Products and eCoach boards.

Mr Maddock is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for volunteer services at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. In 2013, Mr Maddock was made a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to VET, and to the sport of basketball.

Mr Ekrem Ozyurek OAM has extensive experience in primary and secondary education, with more than 30 years of experience in the sector. Most recently, Mr Ozyurek was Principal of East Preston Islamic College for 14 years, and was previously the founding Principal of Mt Hira College. His experience and expertise extends to community and cultural development in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, specifically relating to Turkish and Islamic communities, with a focus on education.

In 2010, Mr Ozyurek was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Turkish community of Victoria, and to education. He is currently a Director of the Yunus Emre Institute, and served as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Islamic Coordinating Council of Victoria from 2002 to 2020.

Ms Deborah Sansom has widespread experience in media, communications and stakeholder engagement, with previous roles as Executive Manager, Cultural Development and Community Engagement at the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, and as a producer for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). She is from the Barwon region and has been the director of her own consultancy firm since 2003, specialising in community engagement, creativity and workforce development, across the arts, government, business and not-for-profit sectors.

Dr Winifred Scott is a consultant with extensive experience in the VET sector. She was Chief Executive Officer of Sunraysia Institute of TAFE until her retirement in June 2016. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education in 2016 by La Trobe University and holds a Master of Educational Management. Dr Scott is the Chair of the Mallee Regional Partnership and a Member of the Regional Development Advisory Committee. She is also a member of other regional and local boards. Before joining the TAFE sector, she was a restaurateur in Bendigo.

Ms Penny Wilson has extensive government, community and private sector experience. As a senior partner at SHK Asia Pacific, she leads the executive search practice for government and public policy, including not-for-profit and private sector highly regulated settings. Ms Wilson has held senior roles in the public service, and is former Chief Executive Officer of both the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre and the Victorian Council of Social Service. A longstanding volunteer in adult learning programs, Ms Wilson was Chair of Learn for Yourself, a Learn Local provider. She has qualifications in social sciences, communications and business management, and is an experienced non-executive board director. Ms Wilson’s term on the Board ended on 30 June 2022.

Audit and Risk Committee membership and roles

In accordance with legislative requirements, the Board has an Audit and Risk Committee to oversee:

• risk management
• financial management, performance and sustainability reporting
• compliance with legislation, regulations and standards
• external audit
• internal audit.

In 2021–22, the independent members on this committee were:

• Lisa Woolmer (Chairperson)
• Michael Grogan (Deputy Chairperson)
• Claudia Fatone (from 16 December 2021)
• John Maddock
• Maria Peters
• Raoul Wainwright (to 25 September 2021).

Representation on panels, advisory groups and working groups

Members of the Board also represent the Board on advisory and working groups and panels such as:

• Victorian Learn Local Awards judging panels
• Victorian Training Awards judging panels
• ACFEB–TAFE CEO Stakeholder Group
• The Brand and Value Recognition Advisory Group.

Eight members of the Board also took on liaison and communication support roles in Regional Councils as Regional Champions.

Representation on other bodies

Members of the Board also represent the Board on departmental bodies, such as the Marrung Central Governance Group, the Koorie VET Advisory Group, the Multicultural Partnerships Group, the Online Core Skills Assessment Tool Steering Group and the Wirnalung Ganai Steering Committee.

Regional Councils of ACFE

Eight Regional Councils of ACFE have been established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

The Regional Councils cover the regional areas of:

• Barwon South-Western
• Gippsland
• Grampians
• Hume
• Loddon Mallee.

The Regional Councils also cover the metropolitan areas of:

• Eastern Metropolitan
• North-Western Metropolitan
• Southern Metropolitan.

The work of each Regional Council is supported by department staff.

Role of Regional Councils

The Board and Regional Councils work together to fulfil the Board’s mission.

Regional Councils draw together different expertise and aspects of local knowledge about adult education, to advise the Board on the needs of adult education across their regions.

In particular, Regional Councils play a key role in:

• providing strategic advice and local intelligence to the Board
• promoting and advocating for the Learn Local sector, and fostering collaboration and partnerships between Learn Locals and key regional stakeholders.

Regional Councils assist the Board to meet its objectives by:

• developing processes that enable learners and providers to advise them and the Board of adult community education needs in their region
• providing advice and preparing reports for the Board
• providing information and contributing to planning by the Board
• advising the Board on the effectiveness of activities in their region, including those activities funded by the Board
• supporting and promoting pre-accredited training provision, networks between providers, and diversity and flexibility of provision
• participating in recommending statewide priorities and policies to the Board.

Regional Councils consult with learners, providers, and other education and training organisations in their region, including local TAFEs and adult education institutions.

Composition

Each Regional Council has a minimum of 5 members, who are appointed by the Minister for Training and Skills, including an elected Chairperson and elected Deputy. Regional Councils may also co-opt two additional people for up to 12 months.

Members are appointed to make sure that Regional Councils reflect:

• community diversity
• the regional interests and views of individuals and groups who will benefit from adult education in the region
• the regional interests and views of adult education providers
• the importance of community-based adult education.

At least half of the members should have knowledge of, or experience in, providing ACFE.

Membership of Regional Councils 2021–22

Barwon South-Western

• Jan Golden, Chairperson until 26 May 2022
• Deryck Gall, Chairperson from 27 May 2022
• Anne Marie Ryan, Deputy Chairperson
• Dianne Baxter (appointed 28 September 2021)
• Louisa-Jane Cunningham
• Alan Davis
• Vikki King (appointed 28 September 2021)
• Peter MacDonald
• Sabina Reynolds (appointed 28 September 2021)
• Richelle Yow

Gippsland

• Desmond Williams, Chairperson
• Shae McGregor, Deputy Chairperson
• Diane Carson
• Karen Fleischer (term ended 30 September 2021)
• Kate Gaffney (co-optee, appointed 21 December 2021)
• Bruno Mascitelli (term ended 30 September 2021)
• Glenda McPhee (term ended 5 July 2021)
• Josie Rose
• Julie Rowley (term ended 30 March 2022)

Grampians

• Tim Shaw, Chairperson
• Jannine Bennett, Deputy Chairperson
• Bryan Crebbin
• Annette Creek
• Angela Dunn
• Tim Harrison
• Andrew Henwood
• Michael Poulton
• Nicola Rodger

Hume

• Bradley Quilliam, Chairperson
• Danny O’Donoghue, Deputy Chairperson
• Trish Curtis
• Linda Kelly (term ended 27 July 2021)
• Renee Leary (term ended 17 August 2021)
• Melva Tyson

Loddon Mallee

• Brian Gould, Chairperson
• Craig Leary, Deputy Chairperson (term ended 30 September 2021)
• Neale Chandler (term ended 30 September 2021)
• Lisa Goettler
• Sarah Graham
• Natalie Green (term ended 3 June 2022)
• Angela Hughes (term ended 10 January 2022)
• Robin Kuhne (co-optee, appointed 5 August 2021)
• Deborah Quin

Eastern Metropolitan

• Beverley Knowles, Chairperson
• Joseph Cullen, Deputy Chairperson
• Alexander Law
• Delys Leslie
• Angela Hoare-Lippman
• Grant Meyer
• Wendy Morris
• Fiona Purcell
• Helen Ruddell

North-Western Metropolitan

• Gregory Ferrington, Chairperson
• Maria Floudiotis, Deputy Chairperson (term ended 30 September 2021)
• Anthony Broad
• Christine McCall
• John Sheen
• Hadi Shehab

Southern Metropolitan

• Martin Corman, Chairperson
• Judith Bissland, Deputy Chairperson
• Ali Aziz
• Sandra George
• Gillian Latchford
• Catherine McGrath
• Suriakumarie Naidoo (term ended 24 March 2022)

Administrative and project support

Under the Education and Training Reform Act, the General Manager of the Board is responsible for implementing the Board’s policies and decisions. During 2021–22, this role was filled by Ms Jeanette Nagorcka, Executive Director of ACFE Division of the department. More broadly, the Board’s planning, policy and resource allocation roles were supported in the department by the General Manager and the ACFE Division of Higher Education and Skills.

The department also helped the 8 Regional Councils and the Learn Local providers meet the Victorian Government’s goals and targets for adult learning and community building. It provides advice about the Learn Local sector, supports the Board to build organisational capacity and administers the Board’s grant programs.

Organisational structure

Figure 1 schematically describes the legislative relationships and accountabilities of the Board as at 30 June 2022.

Figure 1 Organisational chart

Occupational health and safety, incident management, and employment and conduct principles

The department manages matters related to staffing, workforce data, the application of merit and equity principles, incident management and occupational health and safety (see the department’s Annual Report 2021–22).

Workforce data

Public sector and employment principles, workforce data, workforce inclusion policies and executive officer data

The Board employs no staff. The department manages matters relating to staffing, workforce data, workforce inclusion policies and executive officer data (see the department’s Annual Report 2021–22).

Other disclosures

Government advertising expenditure

Nil reports.

Disclosure of major contracts

Nil reports.

Consultancy expenditure

Details of consultancies of $10,000 or greater

In 2021–22, there were 6 consultancies with total fees payable of $10,000 or greater. Total expenditure in relation to this was $602,132 (excluding goods and services tax (GST)). Details of individual consultancies are outlined below.

Details of consultancies under $10,000

In 2021–22, there were no consultancies for which the total fees payable to an individual consultant were less than $10,000. The total expenditure incurred during 2021–22 was nil.

Information and communications technology expenditure

For 2021–22, the Board expended a total of $827,000 on information and communications technology (ICT), as detailed below.

Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) allows the public a right of access to documents held by the Board, including documents created during work done for the Board and documents supplied to the Board by an external organisation or individual.

The FOI Act gives members of the public the right to access information held by government departments, local councils, ministers and other bodies subject to the FOI Act.

The FOI Act allows the Board to refuse access, either fully or partially, to certain documents or information, such as:

• Cabinet documents
• some internal working documents
• law enforcement documents
• documents covered by legal professional privilege (for example, legal advice)
• personal information about other people
• information provided to the Board in confidence.

Making a request

Freedom of information requests may be submitted to the Board via the freedom of information form on the website of the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner. Search and access charges may apply.

A freedom of information request must be in writing and clearly identify the types of material sought. It may be made directly to:

Freedom of Information Manager
Adult, Community and Further Education Board
Department of Education and Training
GPO Box 4367
Melbourne VIC 3001

Processing time for freedom of information requests is 30 days. In certain circumstances, this can be extended.

Applicants who are dissatisfied by a Board decision under the FOI Act may seek a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner within 28 days of receiving the decision letter.

Freedom of information statistics

For the 12 months ending 30 June 2022, the Board received no new freedom of information applications.

Further information

Further information regarding freedom of information can be found in the FOI Act, its associated regulations, or online at the website of the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner.

Compliance with the Building Act 1993

The Board does not own or control any government buildings. Consequently, it is exempt from notifying its compliance with the building and maintenance provisions of the Building Act.

Competitive neutrality policy

Competitive neutrality requires that, where services of government business compete or potentially compete with those of the private sector, any advantage arising solely from 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.

The Board does not operate as a business whose services compete, or potentially compete, with the private sector, therefore the National Competition Policy is not applicable to the Board.

Compliance with the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012

The Public Interest Disclosures Act encourages and assists people with making disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies. The Act protects people who make disclosures in accordance with the Act, and establishes a system to investigate and take rectifying action on the matters that have been disclosed.

The Board does not tolerate improper conduct or reprisals against those who have come forward to disclose such conduct. The Board is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices. It 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, safety or the environment.

The Board will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action as reprisal for making the disclosure. It will also afford justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure to the extent legally possible.

Reporting procedures

Disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Board or its officers may be made directly to:

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
Level 1, North Tower
459 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: 1300 735 135
Internet: website of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
Email: See the website for a secure email disclosure process that ensures anonymity.

Further information

Information on public interest disclosure procedures, which outlines the system for reporting disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action, is available from the Public Interest Disclosures Officer:

Public Interest Disclosures Officer
Adult, Community and Further Education Board
Department of Education and Training
GPO Box 4367
Melbourne VIC 3001
Email: acfe@education.vic.gov.au

Compliance with the Disability Act 2006

The Disability Act reaffirms and strengthens the rights and responsibilities of persons with disability, and recognises that doing so requires support across the government sector and in the community. The department manages the implementation of a disability plan related to the employment of staff. (See the department’s Annual Report 2021–22.)

Through the Board, the Victorian Government funds Learn Local providers to provide pre-accredited training to people whose current or past life circumstances present barriers to educational achievement. The Board specifically targets funding towards vulnerable learners, including people with disability.

Compliance with the Social Procurement Framework

The Victorian Government’s Social Procurement Framework (the framework) clearly defines social and sustainable procurement as a key value‑for-money component, and outlines how it can make a difference to Victorian communities. For buyers, the framework is guidance for embedding social and sustainable procurement into existing processes. For suppliers, the framework points to methods to deliver government objectives, while continuing to participate in government procurement and grow their business.

The framework applies to all Victorian Government procurement relating to goods, services and construction.

In 2019, the Board received an exemption from developing its own Social Procurement Strategy. Instead, it has adopted the department’s Social Procurement Strategy, and has agreed to comply with all associated policies and procedures related to implementing the framework.

The framework objectives that were prioritised during 2021–22 include:

• opportunities for Victorian Aboriginal people
• women’s equality and safety
• opportunities for disadvantaged Victorians
• supporting safe and fair workplaces
• environmentally sustainable outputs.

The department has provided advice to its staff undertaking procurement activity on behalf of the Board, on how to implement the framework.

In 2021–22, the Board directly engaged two verified social benefit suppliers.

Office-based environmental impacts

The Board’s operations are administered by the department, including the provision of department employees, facilities, office accommodation and fleet services required to support the Board’s activities. The department’s Annual Report 2021–22 disclosure includes the environmental impacts of the Board’s operations.

Additional information available on request

Consistent with the requirements of the Financial Management Act 1994, the Board has prepared material on the topics listed below. Details of this material are held by the Executive Director of the department’s ACFE Division and are available to the public on request, subject to the FOI Act.

The information retained by the Board includes details (where applicable) of any:

• statement that declarations of pecuniary interests have been duly completed by all relevant officers
• shares held by a senior officer as nominee or held beneficially in a statutory authority or subsidiary
• publications produced by the Board about itself, and details on how these can be obtained
• changes in prices, fees, charges, rates and levies charged by the Board
• major external reviews carried out on the Board
• major research and development activities undertaken by the Board
• overseas visits undertaken, including a summary of the objectives and outcomes of each visit
• major promotional, public relations and marketing activities undertaken by the Board to develop community awareness of the entity and its services
• assessments and measures undertaken to improve the occupational health and safety of employees
• general statement about industrial relations within the Board, and details of time lost through industrial accidents and disputes
• list of major committees sponsored by the Board, the purposes of each committee and the extent to which the purposes have been achieved
• consultancies and contractors, including:
  • the consultants or contractors engaged
  • the services provided
  • expenditure committed for each engagement.

Enquiries regarding details of this information should be made to:

Executive Director, Adult, Community and Further Education
Higher Education and Skills
Department of Education and Training
GPO Box 4367
Melbourne VIC 3001
Telephone: (03) 8468 9223

Attestation for financial management compliance with Standing Direction 5.1.4

I, Ms Maria Peters, on behalf of the Responsible Body, certify that the Adult, Community and Further Education Board has no Material Deficiency with respect to the applicable Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994 and Instructions.

Asset Management Accountability Framework (AMAF) maturity assessment

The Adult, Community and Further Education Board does not have any assets for the purposes of the AMAF.