Inquiry into the Benefits and Costs Associated with the Provision of Shared Corporate Services in the Public Sector - Final Report - 10 June 2011

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Dozel

Inquiry into the benefits and costs of providing shared corporate services in the public sector, issued as a final report dated 10 June 2011. It compiles third-party information and evaluates the development and operation of shared services in Western Australia, reviews experience from other jurisdictions, and assesses current arrangements. The report analyses submissions, IT technical review, financial tracking against budgets and timelines, identifies key causes affecting agencies’ operations, and concludes with lessons learned, guiding principles, and options supported by financial modelling and recommendations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages160

Reading Time6 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Summary of Findings

Final report

1 Introduction

2 Background to Shared Services in Western Australia

3 Assessment of Current Arrangements

4 Lessons Learned and Guiding Principles for Future Shared Services Provision

5 Options for Shared Services Provision

6 Summary of Draft Report Recommendations and Submissions

7 Financial Modelling of Selected Options

8 Recommended Future Option

Inquiry into the Benefits and Costs Associated with the Provision of Shared Corporate Services in the Public Sector Final Report 10 June 2011 Important Notice This document has been compiled in good faith by the Economic Regulation Authority (Authority) . The document contains information supplied to the Authority from third parties. The Authority makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of the information supplied by those third parties. This document is not a substitute for legal or technical advice. No person or organisation should act on the basis of any matter contained in this document without obtaining appropriate professional advice. The Authority and its staff members make no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of the information contained in this document, and accept no liability, jointly or severally, for any loss or expense of any nature whatsoever (including consequential loss) arising directly or indirectly from any making available of this document, or the inclusion in it or omission from it of any material, or anything done or not done in reliance on it, including in all cases, without limitation, loss due in whole or part to the negligence of the Authority and its employees. This notice has effect subject to the Competition & Consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth), the Fair Trading Act 1987 (WA) and the Fair Trading Act 2010 (WA) , if applicable, and to the fullest extent permitted by law. Any summaries of the legislation, regulations or licence provisions in this document do not contain all material terms of those laws or obligations. No attempt has been made in the summaries, definitions or other material to exhaustively identify and describe the rights, obligations and liabilities of any person under those laws or licence provisions. For further information, contact: Economic Regulation Authority Perth, Western Australia Phone: (08) 9213 1900 © Economic Regulation Authority 2011 The copying of this document in whole or part for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that appropriate acknowledgment is made of the Economic Regulation Authority and the State of Western Australia. Any other copying of this document is not permitted without the express written consent of the Authority. Contents List of Tables iv List of Figures v Executive Summary vi Summary of Findings xv Final report 1 1 Introduction 2 1.1 Terms of Reference 2 1.2 Background to the Inquiry 3 1.3 The Review Process 4 1.4 Further Information 5 2 Background to Shared Services in Western Australia 6 2.1 History of Shared Services in Western Australia 6 2.1.1 Machinery of Government Initiatives 6 2.1.2 Principles that Underpinned the Development of Shared Services in Western Australia 7 2.1.3 2003 Initial Business Case and Governance Arrangements for Shared Services 8 2.1.4 Establishment of the OSS 10 2.1.5 2007 Auditor General’s Report 11 2.1.6 2007 Review of Shared Services 12 2.1.7 2008 Review of Shared Services 15 2.1.8 Call for Current ERA Inquiry 15 2.1.9 Current Situation at DTFSSC 16 2.2 Experience of Shared Services Elsewhere 17 2.2.1 Other Public Sector Shared Services Providers in Western Australia 17 2.2.2 Shared Services Provision in Other Australian Jurisdictions 19 2.3 Summary of Findings 24 3 Assessment of Current Arrangements 25 3.1 Analysis of Submissions Received in Response to the Issues Paper 25 3.1.1 Number and Coverage of Submissions Received 25 3.1.2 DTF Submission 27 3.1.3 Submissions from Agencies (Other than DTF) 29 3.2 IT Consultant Technical Review 37 3.3 Financial Analysis-Tracking of Progress of the Project Against Budget and Timelines 39 3.3.1 From 2003-04 to 2006-07 39 3.3.2 Since 2007 40 3.3.3 Comparison of 2003 Business Case with Actual Outcomes 41 3.3.4 From 2010-11 Onwards

FAQs

What is the purpose of the inquiry and what does the final report cover?

The final report investigates the benefits and costs of providing shared corporate services in the public sector. It covers background, assessment of current arrangements, lessons learned, options, financial modelling, and recommended future direction.

How does the report assess the current shared services arrangements?

It analyses submissions received in response to an issues paper, includes an IT consultant technical review, and conducts financial analysis tracking project progress against budget and timelines. It also provides an authority assessment and conclusion against the terms of reference.

What are the major outputs beyond assessment of current arrangements?

The report develops lessons learned and guiding principles for future shared services provision. It then sets out options (such as stop and fix, decommission, and outsourcing) and uses financial modelling to support recommendations for the recommended future option.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Dozel