Structure and functions

DTF provides strategic advice to the Government on the day to day delivery of its economic, financial and budgetary policies and leads the public sector in the development and adoption of best practice financial management.

DTF’s objectives are to:

• ensure sound financial management of the State’s fiscal resources with an emphasis on the maintenance of a substantial Budget surplus;
• guide Government actions to best increase living standards for all Victorians through the provision of innovative policy advice;
• champion an integrated whole-of-government ‘value for money’ approach to ensure optimal service delivery and provision of world class infrastructure to benefit all Victorians; and
• ensure the capability of the Department and its people to serve the Government.

The Office of the Secretary, five divisions and a shared service group carry out the functions of the Department.

Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Secretary provides support to the Secretary of the Department and oversees the delivery of outputs against DTF’s objectives and strategic priorities.

Budget and Financial Management Division

The Budget and Financial Management division delivers policy and advisory services to the Government. The division’s main functions include:

• coordinating the Annual State Budget and the Mid-Year Budget Update processes;
• coordinating the processes and production of the Annual and Mid-Year Financial Reports for the State of Victoria and the general government sector Quarterly Financial Reports;
• developing and implementing resource allocation and management reform frameworks for the Victorian budget sector;
• monitoring portfolio performance and quarterly revenue certification; and
• developing and monitoring whole-of-government financial management systems and taxation compliance.

Commercial Division

The Commercial division provides commercial advice, implements new commercial projects and manages commercial activities on behalf of Government. The division ensures the minimisation of contractual risks to Government and is the custodian and promoter of commercial principles and practices throughout the public sector.

The division’s main functions include:

• working with departments to facilitate public-private partnership models in public infrastructure projects to deliver public infrastructure sector services through Partnerships Victoria;
• promoting and managing Gateway reviews of major infrastructure projects, establishing governance arrangements and monitoring the performance of government business enterprises;
• providing advice and whole of sector analysis of the Public Non-Financial Corporations and Public Financial Corporations, particularly budget estimates and financial reports;
• providing commercial risk management advice and monitoring the State’s exposure from Treasurer’s guarantees;
• advising the government on balance sheet, debt management and risk management, and Victoria’s transport accident and workplace compensation schemes; and
• developing and implementing strategies and policies for government land and property, including sales, acquisitions and advisory services.

Economic and Financial Policy Division

The Economic and Financial Policy division advises the Government on key economic and financial issues, including longer term economic development, financial strategy and taxation policy. The division’s main functions include:

• advising the Government on:
  • economic and social policy, in particular strategies to enhance Victoria’s economic development;
  • budget and financial policies and strategies to meet the Government’s longerterm financial objectives;
  • the operation and regulation of energy, water, ports, grain handling markets and utilities;
  • taxation policy; and
  • general insurance policy.
• monitoring and forecasting revenue flows and trends in State and national economies;
• managing Commonwealth-State financial relations and coordinating the Government’s input into the Council of Australian Governments’ National Reform Agenda; and
• provision of a secretariat for the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission.

Government Services Group

The Government Services Group (GSG) was established to respond to the need for a more integrated management of common services for departments and agencies.

GSG assists government departments and agencies to:

• achieve their business objectives through innovative management in the delivery of common services; and
• achieve Efficient Government policy targets by implementing efficiency measures in the areas of Buying Smarter – Buying Less, shared services, fleet management and integrated ICT.

GSG achieves these objectives through strategy, project and service delivery in the following areas:

• management of whole-of-government procurement policies, standards and services, including advice and training for government buyers and suppliers;
• Victorian Government vehicle fleet management, including vehicle hire and lease services and vehicle acquisition and disposal services;
• management of office leasing, fit out, refurbishment and security. Additionally, GSG oversees planning and provides advisory services on accommodation related matters;
• facilities management services including accommodation planning and implementation, audio/visual installation and maintenance, and furniture procurement; and
• a range of ICT services to support ICT deployment, investment and infrastructure across government. These include the development of policies, standards and guidelines and the management of a range of whole-of-government ICT services and contracts.

Strategic Management Division

SMD supports the achievement of DTF’s objectives by:

Leading business initiatives in relation to the Department's:

• governance;
• planning and risk management;
• people management, planning and development practices;
• organisational culture; and
• stakeholder relationships.

Providing professional services in the areas of:

• law;
• communication;
• event management;
• human resources strategy, industrial relations and organizational culture;
• business planning;
• Cabinet and Parliamentary processes;
• the work of the Senior Executive Group's sub-committees; and
• information and knowledge management strategy and support services.

Corporate Financial Services

Corporate Financial Services (CFS) provides financial services to the Departments of Treasury and Finance and Premier and Cabinet.

This group provides:

• strategic financial planning advice;
• budget services;
• financial reporting (statutory and taxation);
• taxation advice;
• a broad range of accounting services;
• eprocurement purchasing;
• financial analysis;
• asset management services; and
• contract, purchasing and tender advice.

Audit Committee

DTF has an Audit Committee consisting of the following members:

Frank King - Chair
John Warburton
Jane Tongs
Laurinda Gardner
Garry Phibbs
Steve Mitsas

The objective of the DTF Audit Committee is to assist the Secretary in fulfilling his responsibilities by reviewing the systems of internal controls which management has established, the audit process, and the financial information that will be provided to Parliament and others.

The Department has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to undertake all internal audit services.