Efficiency and productivity
Coordinated, whole-of-government reform
The Tasmanian Government’s Efficiency and Productivity Agenda brings together efficiency measures and longer‑term structural reforms in the Tasmanian State Service to strengthen performance, improve service delivery and ensure public resources are used effectively. The agenda will protect outcomes for Tasmanians, minimise impacts on the economy, and make an important contribution to the government’s budget repair strategy.
The agenda recognises efficiency is about reducing waste and productivity is about doing more with the same resources by improving systems, processes and the way services are organised.
Key parts of the program
Digitalisation and the responsible use of AI
The agenda supports reforms that lift productivity by reducing reliance on manual and paper‑based processes and accelerating end‑to‑end digital solutions. This includes identifying opportunities for shared digital capability and the responsible use of AI to help government work smarter and deliver better services with existing resources.
Functional leadership and shared capability
As recommended by the Independent Review of the Tasmanian State Service, functional leadership approaches, including shared services, help drive improved services by developing centres of expertise across government. By consolidating common functions, setting consistent standards and sharing capability, functional leadership improves service quality, supports workforce capability and delivers efficiency at scale. This work is starting with the consolidation of communications and marketing services across government as further high-value opportunities are examined.
Program reviews and assessments
The use of structured program reviews aligned with the Budget process can assess whether government programs are delivering value, remain priorities and are designed and governed effectively. This strengthens evidence‑based decision‑making and helps ensure public funding is focused where it can make the greatest difference.
Ideas from across the State Service
The agenda draws on ideas from State Service employees about how to work smarter and improve service delivery. These insights are helping identify duplication, simplify processes and inform efficiency initiatives based on experience.
Monitoring commitments and strengthening implementation
A whole‑of‑government framework for monitoring government commitments improves coordination, transparency and accountability, and strengthens implementation discipline across agencies.
Learning from others
The Efficiency and Productivity Agenda is being shaped and progressed with support from Chris Eccles AO, who has been engaged to provide reform leadership, advice, and expertise based on the outcomes of previous reviews and the experiences of other States and Territories.
Mr Eccles is a former secretary of premier’s departments in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. He has extensive experience leading system-wide public sector reform. He has a strong background in public administration, financial and performance management, and the design and delivery of large-scale reform programs. In 2017, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration.
The agenda is a staged, multi-part reform program that brings together coordinated initiatives across key areas, including:
- strong financial management
- revenue and expenditure sustainability
- the size and structure of the Tasmanian State Service
- reform of public entities
- intergovernmental responsibilities
- modernising service delivery
- implementation and governance.
This work draws on the findings and recommendations of major public sector reviews, including the Independent Review of the Tasmanian State Service and the Independent Review of the Victorian Public Service.
Role of the Efficiency and Productivity Unit
The Efficiency and Productivity Unit within the Department of Premier and Cabinet supports the delivery of the Efficiency and Productivity Agenda. The unit operates under the joint authority of the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance, and works closely with the Secretaries Board.
The unit takes a whole-of-government perspective and works collaboratively with agencies to:
- support program reviews and reform initiatives
- identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement
- assist with implementation and monitoring of reforms
- build long‑term capability for continuous improvement across the Tasmanian State Service.