1. The Secretary's review 1999-2000
2. The Department
3. A summary of the Department's roles and the new reporting framework
4. Analysis of performance for Outcome 1
5. Analysis of performance for Outcome 2
6. Analysis of performance for Outcome 3
8. Management and accountability
9. External scrutiny and legal matters affecting the Department
A2. Occupational health and safety
A4. Payments to advertising and market research organisations
A6. Performance against actual results against outcomes and outputs
Section 1. Introduction
Section 2. The structure of the Department
Section 1. Introduction
Portfolio structure
The Education, Training and Youth Affairs Portfolio contains the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs and the Australian Research Council. It also contains three statutory authorities: the Australian National Training Authority; the Anglo-Australian Telescope Board and the Australian National University.
The National Board of Employment, Education and Training was previously part of the Portfolio. However the Board was formally abolished by the Employment, Education and Training Amendment Act 2000. The Act, which received Royal Assent on 15 March 2000, contains transitional provisions to allow for the continuation of one of the Board’s councils, the Australian Research Council.
The Portfolio is committed to supporting improved standards and improved accountability for outcomes in the education and training sectors for all Australians. Australia’s future depends on each student having the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and values for a productive and fulfilling life.
The Department’s role
The services and advice we provide reflect the objectives, directions and priorities set by the Government. We are accountable for our performance to the Government and the Minister and through them, to Parliament and the Australian community. We support the Government’s efforts to respond in an integrated and balanced way to the education and training needs of all Australians, particularly of our Indigenous and young people. Our vision, purpose and strategic priorities focus us on how best to achieve this role.
Our Vision is: Excellence in helping all Australians achieve in a learning society. Our Purpose is: We will be the Minister's first choice for impartial, innovative and comprehensive solutions for policy, services and achievements of outcomes.
The Department’s strategic priorities
The Department is guided by a number of strategic priorities. These include to:
- improve standards in our education and training system (with particular focus on standards of literacy, numeracy and vocational training);
- expand opportunities for young people to forge stronger connections with the community through more effective transitions from school to work, the development of effective consultative mechanisms and programmes to enable young people to play a full part in our community;
- develop and implement policies to ensure the continuing relevance of the education and training system to contemporary needs, including in the context of the emerging knowledge-based economy and the growing requirement for access to lifelong learning;
- continue to focus the Department’s management culture on increased performance, accountability and well-based policy advice;
- ensure value for money and high quality services for the delivery of Government-funded programmes;
- consolidate the implementation of New Apprenticeships;
- improve accountability for outcomes within the education and training system, including in respect of Indigenous education; and
- improve the information available to guide choice within the education and training system, including careers information.
Our functions
Our functions are spelled out in our Corporate Plan and include to:
- provide policy advice across the range of our Minister’s responsibilities;
- analyse trends in education and training and their implications for Government policies and programmes and evaluate programme effectiveness and policy coherence across the Portfolio;
- promote interaction between the education and training sectors to provide pathways from education to employment for all Australians and to contribute to the development of a learning society;
- manage policy and programmes to support the Government’s agenda in respect of education for Indigenous Australians;
- ensure policy solutions are equitable and responsive so that Australians facing disadvantage have opportunities to learn and gain skills;
- manage policy and programmes to support the Government’s agenda in respect of young people;
- develop the policy and legislative framework to support the internationalisation and export of Australian education and training services;
- take a leadership role to develop and implement national training reform, including responsibility for training services at entry level;
- develop and implement Commonwealth policies for government and non-government schools and administer programmes of financial assistance; and
- administer programmes to support the teaching and research activities of higher education institutions.
Section 2 - The structure of the Department
The Department has five divisions, each with a number of branches. There are also two groups and a branch that report directly to the Secretary, plus six state and territory offices.
Schools Division
This Division helps to create and implement Commonwealth policies for government and non-government schools. It also provides financial assistance for Indigenous Australians and other educationally disadvantaged students.
Corporate Services Division
High quality, innovative corporate advice, strategies and services are provided by Corporate Services to the Department and Minister. The Division helps maintain components of the Department’s infrastructure, assists with the management of finances and legal requirements, looks after staff development, manages change and oversees internal and external communication.
Higher Education Division
The Higher Education Division develops policy in the higher education sector and supports the teaching and research activities of Australian higher education institutions. It also works with international organisations for the mutual recognition of international qualifications and skills.
International Analysis and Evaluation Division
Education has become an important export industry. This Division helps promote and market Australian education internationally. It also conducts research and analysis on education and training issues, including equity, develops policy advice; and evaluates the effectiveness of the Department’s programmes.
Training and Youth Division
This Division focuses on the creation of a more skilled workforce. It fosters opportunities for New Apprenticeships and vocational preparation. It also promotes clear pathways from school to work, promotes positive perceptions of young people and provides national leadership on youth issues.
Future Pathways Strategy Group
The Group was established as a temporary measure with cross-divisional responsibilities for the Department’s input to the Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce and to the Government’s families strategy. The Group was also responsible for administration of the National Youth Roundtable and the National Youth Development Strategy. It coordinated the Department’s strategic and business planning and performance management.
Information Technology Strategy and Services Group
The Department’s business applications are developed and maintained by this Group, which also manages the information technology resources of the Department and contracts with external providers. In addition, it provides strategic input on policy and corporate issues relating to the application of technology in the education sector.
Audit Branch
The Audit Branch provides independent advice to the Executive on accountability and performance improvement. It also helps management assess and manage risk.
State and Territory Offices
State and Territory Offices are the physical presence of the Department in the regions. They liaise extensively with government and other agencies at the local level. State and Territory Managers are responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of services that contribute to policy solutios, according to the policy parameters and priorities specified by National Office. National Programme Managers and State and Territory Managers work together under the terms of the Department’s National-State Business Partnership Arrangements.
Senior executives and their responsibilities
This organisational structure and the names of senior executives and their responsibilities are shown in Chart 1:
Chart 1. DETYA top structure - SES (as at 30 June 2000)
click here to see a text version of the table(Opens in a new window, close the window to return.)
The Department’s Outcomes
The Department works to implement three specific Outcomes identified in the Portfolio Budget Statements. These Outcomes specify what we want to achieve for schools and their students, post-school education and training, research and international education. They are:
Outcome 1. School systems provide their students with high quality foundation skills and learning outcomes.
Outcome 2. Post-school education and training providers assist individuals achieve relevant skills and learning outcomes for work and life.
Outcome 3. Australian institutions advance the knowledge base, contribute to the national innovation system and participate effectively in the global development of knowledge and skills.
Divisions may contribute to more than one outcome as shown in chart 2:
Chart Two. Divisions contributing to Outcomes
Corporate Services Division, Information Technology Strategy and Services Group and Audit Branch provide the necessary infrastructure and support across the Department to enable these outcomes to be achieved.
The actual performance of the Department measured against these outcomes will be reported later in this Annual Report.