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DEST is committed to building strong, ongoing relationships with organisations which have a significant stake in the policy decisions that are made and the manner in which programmes are implemented.
DEST is also committed to regularly reviewing the state of those relationships to see how we can do things better. In that context, between June and July 2007 we conducted our third round of market research into the views that stakeholders have of their relationship with the Department.
The 2007 survey report shows that overall satisfaction with DEST remains high: 86% of respondents gave their relationship with the Department a rating of 7 or above (on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is extremely bad and 10 is extremely good). This compares to a level of 85% in 2005 and 83% in 2002.
There is also a significant increase in the number of stakeholders seeking out DEST for networking and general discussion: 83% in 2007 compared to 76% in 2005. Additionally, satisfaction with DEST as an organisation that maintains open and unambiguous relationships increased significantly from 63% in 2005 to 71% in 2007.
The research also indicates areas where we need to focus greater efforts, including understanding stakeholder views about existing policies and clearly explaining how stakeholder input would be used. This and other issues raised in the research will be addressed through our business planning processes to improve the way we do things.
For DEST to function well requires us to have an unambiguous relationship with key external stakeholders: with relevant advocacy bodies, professional associations and community groups as well as with organisations that deliver Government programmes under contract.
In order to develop and maintain strong relationships with those who have interests in education, science and training issues, DEST commits itself to:
- build understanding of the policy framework set by the Australian Government, the purpose of legislation and the manner in which programmes can be accessed - exploring areas of agreement and acknowledging points of difference
- foreshadow possible future policy directions and seek the view of those organisations and individuals who will be affected - within the appropriate constraints required by confidentiality;
- provide a channel of communication by which stakeholders can inform the Government’s policy agenda - recognising that a range of viewpoints will be presented;
- seek advice, information and arguments from a broad diversity of viewpoints - in order to provide Ministers with timely, well researched, clearly communicated and reliable advice;
- identify matters of mutual interest on which the Department and stakeholders can work together in a collaborative manner;
- explain clearly the purposes of Departmental discussions and how the outcomes will be used;
- listen empathically to the views expressed and convey the perspective of stakeholders to Ministers in a clear and objective manner ;
- build inclusive relationships of trust which will nurture strong formal and informal networks of mutual benefit.
This is DEST’s commitment. It represents the expectations that you should have of your dealings with us. With your assistance we will regularly review the state of the relationship to see how we can do things better.
In the meantime, if you feel we are not living up to our Charter please email stakeholderviews@DEST.gov.au
Stakeholder Perceptions Survey 2005
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