Consultants
The department engages consultants where we lack specialist expertise or when independent research, review or assessment is required. Consultants are typically engaged to investigate or diagnose a defined issue or problem; carry out defined reviews or evaluations; or provide independent advice, information or creative solutions to assist in the department’s decision-making.
Before engaging consultants, the department takes into account the skills and resources required for the task, the skills available internally, and the cost-effectiveness of engaging external expertise. The decision to engage a consultant is made in accordance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and related instruments, including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and relevant internal policies.
During 2014–15, the department entered into five new consultancy contracts involving total actual expenditure of $0.138 million. In addition, four ongoing consultancy contracts were active in 2014–15, involving total actual expenditure of $0.123 million.
Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website (www.tenders.gov.au).