Consultants are engaged where there is a requirement for specialist expertise or independent research and assessment. Consultants are typically engaged to carry out defined reviews or evaluations or provide independent advice, information or solutions to assist our decision making.

Prior to engaging consultants, we take 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 PGPA Act and related regulations including the CPRs and relevant internal policies.

In FY20 consultants were engaged to provide specialist expertise not available within our office, including, external audit assurance, advice and assistance in implementing the communication strategy. We are supported, in part, by Treasury policies and procedures for selecting and engaging consultants.

During FY20, 4 new consultancy contracts were entered into involving total actual expenditure of $48,078. In addition, 3 ongoing consultancy contracts were active during the period, involving total actual expenditure of $36,696.

Annual reports contain information about the actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website.