Consultancy expenditure
In 2023–24 there were 8 consultancies engaged with a total approved value at $10,000 or greater. The total expenditure incurred during 2023–24 in relation to these consultancies was $0.76 million (excluding GST).
Details of consultancies (valued at $10,000 or greater)
| Consultant | Purpose of consultancy | Total approved project fee $ (excl. GST) | Expenditure 2023–24 $ (excl. GST) | Future expenditure $ (excl. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arup Pty Ltd | Municipal and Essential Services Infrastructure reviews for Framlingham and Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trusts | $138,773 | $55,509 | $0 |
| Asialink Business | Evaluation and review of the Victorian Government’s approach to international engagement | $125,000 | $124,461 | $0 |
| Bree Gorman Consulting | Development of a LGBTIQA+ Plan for DPC | $29,091 | $23,273 | $0 |
| Cathy Whelan | Change management consulting services for the First Peoples – State Relations Group | $56,000 | $20,961 | $0 |
| Inside Policy | Victorian Aboriginal Expenditure Review | $312,895 | $236,097 | $0 |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd / Scyne Advisory Pty Ltd | Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework and Tools | $597,372 | $209,449 | $0 |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Indigenous Consulting Pty Ltd | Evaluation of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Training Program 2014–2022 | $114,220 | $68,532 | $0 |
| Whereto Research Based Consulting Pty Ltd | Strategic Partnerships Program — evaluation report and recommendations | $189,660 | $21,300 | $0 |
| Total | $1,563,011 | $759,612 | $0 |
Details of consultancies under $10,000
In 2023–24 there were no consultancies engaged with a total approved value of less than $10,000.
Government advertising expenditure
During 2023–24, DPC did not deliver any advertising campaigns with a media spend of $100,000 or greater.
Grants and transfer payments
DPC has provided assistance through grants and transfer payments during the reporting period.
The financial assistance provided in 2023–24 is listed in Section 6, Appendix 4: Grants and transfer payments.
Information and communications technology expenditure
For the 2023–24 reporting period, DPC had total information and communications technology (ICT) expenditure of $10.2 million, with details shown below.
| Expenditure ($’000) | |
| All operational ICT expenditure | |
| Business as usual (BAU) ICT expenditure (total) | 8,818 |
| ICT expenditure related to projects to create or enhance ICT capabilities | |
| Operational expenditure | 891 |
| Capital expenditure | 488 |
| Non-BAU ICT expenditure (total) | 1,379 |
ICT expenditure refers to DPC’s costs in providing business-enabling ICT services. It comprises BAU ICT expenditure and non-BAU ICT expenditure:
- Non-BAU ICT expenditure relates to extending or enhancing DPC’s current ICT capabilities.
- BAU ICT expenditure is all remaining ICT expenditure, which primarily relates to ongoing activities to operate and maintain the current ICT capability.
Major contracts
DPC is required to disclose, in accordance with the requirements of government policy and accompanying guidelines, all contracts greater than $10 million entered into during the financial year.
DPC did not enter into any new contracts greater than $10 million during 2023–24.
Reviews and studies expenditure
During 2023–24, there were 7 reviews and studies undertaken with a total cost of $610,154. Details of individual reviews and studies are outlined below.
| Name of the review (portfolio/output) | Reasons for review/study | Terms of reference/scope | Anticipated outcomes | Estimated cost for the year (excl. GST) | Final cost if completed (excl. GST) | Publicly available (Y/N) and URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation and review of the Victorian Government’s approach to international engagement (Portfolio: Premier) | The Victorian Government released country strategies for China and India in 2016 and 2018 respectively. Reviews of both strategies help to ensure that Victoria’s international approach with key partners remains fit for purpose in light of significant changes in the international landscape and the bilateral context since that time. | An evaluation of the effectiveness of the current strategies and a forward-looking assessment of the strategic context, including relevant trends and forecasts. | Evaluation of previous efforts, and recommendations regarding future prioritisation | $124,461 | $124,461 | N |
Patient attendance at planned surgery (Portfolio: Premier) | Online quantitative research to understand the barriers to attending planned surgery and support accountable departments to identify opportunities to increase attendance rates. | Online quantitative research and report | Findings to inform potential activities to increase attendance at planned surgery | – | $24,850 | N |
Evaluation of the Strategic Partnerships Program (Portfolio: Multicultural Affairs) | To assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the program and provide evidence to inform future decision-making. | Evaluate the Strategic Partnerships Program and present findings and recommendations in an evaluation report. | Findings and recommendations to inform future program design to advance settlement outcomes for new, emerging and established migrant communities in Victoria.
| $21,330 | $189,660 | N |
| Change Management consulting services for First Peoples – State Relations Group (Portfolio: Treaty and First Peoples) | To provide advice and support for the First Peoples State Relations staff. | The provision of advice and support on the change/transformation process ahead of the First Peoples – State Relations Group staff, in their role supporting the State to negotiate Treaty. | Facilitate an all-staff forum for FPSR to support staff in their roles through facilitating change and transformation in Treaty and supporting staff wellbeing. | $20,961 | $61,600 | N |
| Evaluation of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Training Program (Portfolio: Treaty and First Peoples) | The purpose of this evaluation is to provide findings and recommendations which support future policy and decision making in relation to the program. | Reviewing the structure, process, effectiveness, and outcomes delivered by the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Training Program in the period 2014 to 2022. | Evaluation report provides recommendations informed and supported for future budgeting, growth, and sustainability and impact both social and financial. A cost benefit analysis of quantitative data including financial data, activity and performance information is central to these recommendations. | $68,532 | $113,077 | N |
| Municipal and essential services (MES) infrastructure review and outcome evaluation of MES program funding for Framlingham and Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trusts (Portfolio: Treaty and First Peoples) | To provide an updated independent assessment of the condition of the Trusts MES assets and conduct an outcome evaluation of the Trusts’ lapsing MES program. | Assess the Trusts’ MES assets against relevant standards and evaluate the effectiveness and outcome of the MES program. | The MES infrastructure review identifies assets requiring critical upgrade to support the Trusts’ communities. The MES evaluation found that the program was successful in delivering efficient and effective outcomes for the Trust communities. | $138,773 | $152,650 | N
|
| Victorian Aboriginal Expenditure Review (Portfolio: Treaty and First Peoples) | To provide policymakers, Ngaweeyan Maar-oo and other stakeholders such as Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), with financial and non-financial data to inform future resource allocation. | Review and identify current spending on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and services. | The 2 reports were provided to the Partnership Forum, Joint Council on Closing the Gap and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (First Peoples’ Assembly) to inform future decision making. | $236,097 | $291,000 | N |
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