During 2020-21, nine new reportable consultancy contracts were entered into involving total actual expenditure of $1,194,649. In addition, one ongoing reportable consultancy contract was active during the period, involving total actual expenditure of $43,864.

ASD’s annual report contains information about actual expenditure on reportable consultancy contracts. Information on the value of reportable consultancy contracts is available on the AusTender website.

Decisions to engage consultants during 2020-21 were made in accordance with the PGPA Act and related regulations including the CPRs and relevant internal policies.

ASD primarily engages consultants through the use of available panel arrangements established through an open tender process. In some limited instances, direct contracting is adopted where an essential precondition to effectively perform that particular consultancy has been identified.