This annual report will be presented to Parliament to meet the statutory reporting requirements of Public Sector Act 2009 and Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Act 2017 and the requirements of Premier and Cabinet Circular PC013 Annual Reporting.

This report is verified to be accurate for the purposes of annual reporting to the Parliament of South Australia.

Submitted on behalf of the Department of Treasury and Finance by:

Rick Persse
Under Treasurer

From the Under Treasurer

In 2021-22 the department continued to provide its core services through a challenging year and my thanks go to all our dedicated and talented staff.

In addition to “normal” activities, the department continued to play its important role in the pandemic response.

In the March 2022 state election South Australians decided on a change of government. The Malinauskas Labor government was sworn in on 21 March 2022 and The Hon Stephen Mullighan MP became SA’s 51st Treasurer. Staff across the agency worked hard to ensure this transition was a successful and seamless one for the incoming government. I thank the Treasurer, and his team, for their partnership and patience.

Shortly after taking office the Premier decided on a change to leadership across several government agencies along with some machinery of government changes that saw parts of this agency transition to other areas of government. Long serving Chief Executive of the Department of Treasury and Finance Mr David Reynolds left our agency to lead the Department of Trade and Investment.

I wish to acknowledge David for his outstanding leadership of this agency and his notable contributions in various leadership roles over decades.

The government also decided to release a State Budget in record time. The tireless efforts of so many across this agency, and others, enabled this to occur over a nine-week period. The State Budget was successfully handed down on 2 June 2022.

As a new Under Treasurer, I am indebted to my leadership team and all staff across the agency. Working together, we remain committed to providing quality advice and services that support the South Australian community.

Rick Persse
Under Treasurer
Department of Treasury and Finance

Overview: about the agency

Our Purpose

In early 2021-22 the South Australian public sector united under the purpose statement of ‘Making a difference so South Australia thrives’.

The purpose of this statement was to unite all public servants so the full potential of the workforce could be unlocked and real outcomes for South Australia achieved.

Our Values

  • Service
  • Professionalism
  • Trust
  • Respect
  • Collaboration and Engagement
  • Honesty and Integrity
  • Courage and Tenacity
  • Sustainability

Our functions, objectives, and deliverables

The Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) is the lead agency for economic, social and financial policy outcomes. We play a vital role in providing financial services to the community and economic and fiscal policy advice to the Government of South Australia.

Our people conduct research, analyse information, give advice, contribute to government policy and decision making and support the Treasurer in producing the State Budget.

Our people also provide corporate and business services in the areas of payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and financial services so that all South Australian government departments can focus on their core business operations.

Our objectives are:

Our People

  • Trust and empower our skilled, diverse, flexible and committed people

Economic Growth

  • Drive economic growth, jobs, investment and economic opportunities for South Australia

Thriving South Australia

  • Ensure all South Australians have the opportunity to thrive

Easy to do business with

  • Make doing business with government easier

Treasury and Finance (DTF) consists of the following business areas:

  • Budget and Performance
  • Commercial and Economics
  • Compulsory Third Party Regulator
  • Financial Management Reporting and Policy and the Lotteries Commissioner
  • Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit
  • Lifetime Support Authority
  • Industrial Relations and Policy*
  • Office of the Under Treasurer
  • Organisation and Governance
  • Procurement Services SA
  • Revenue SA
  • SA Government Financing Authority
  • SafeWork SA*
  • Shared Services SA
  • South Australian Employment Tribunal*
  • Special Projects
  • Super SA

* On 1 July 2022, the Industrial Relations and Policy branch, SafeWork SA, and the South Australian Employment Tribunal transitioned to the Attorney General’s Department.

During 2021-22 there were the following changes to the agency’s structure and objectives as a result of internal reviews or machinery of government changes.

  • The Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit (FERU) transferred from the Attorney-General’s Department to the Department of Treasury and Finance as of 1 July 2021.

The Treasurer is the Hon. Stephen Mullighan MP.

The Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector is the Hon Kyam Maher MLC.

Rick Persse, Under Treasurer

Tammie Pribanic, Deputy Under Treasurer

Anna Hughes, Deputy Under Treasurer

Dascia Bennett, Chief Executive, Super SA

Andrew Blaskett, Executive Director, Projects and Chief Recovery Officer, Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit

Tricia Blight, Executive Director, Budget and Performance

Elbert Brooks, Executive Director, Industrial Relations and Policy

Martyn Campbell, Executive Director, SafeWork SA

Mark Carey, Executive Director, Shared Services SA

Brad Gay, Executive Director, Commercial and Economics

Julie Holmes, Commissioner of State Taxation, Revenue SA

Tracey Scott, Executive Director, Financial Management Reporting and Policy and South Australian Lotteries Commissioner

Elizabeth Stavreski, Executive Director, Procurement

Note: As at 30 June 2022. Does not include leadership positions of separate statutory office holders

Treasurer

Bank Merger (BankSA and Advance Bank) Act 1996

Bank Mergers (South Australia) Act 1997

Benefit Associations Act 1958

Commonwealth Places (Mirror Taxes Administration) Act 1999

Compulsory Third Party Insurance Regulation Act 2016

Electricity Corporations Act 1994

Electricity Corporations (Restructuring and Disposal) Act 1999

Emergency Services Funding Act 1998

*Financial Agreement Act 1994

Financial Sector (Transfer of Business) Act 1999

Financial Transaction Reports (State Provisions) Act 1992

Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Act 2017

First Home and Housing Construction Grants Act 2000

Government Financing Authority Act 1982

Governors' Pensions Act 1976

Industry Advocate Act 2017

Interest on Crown Advances and Leases Act 1944

Judges' Pensions Act 1971

Land Tax Act 1936

Late Payment of Government Debts (Interest) Act 2013

Local Government Finance Authority Act 1983

Motor Accident Commission Act 1992

Motor Vehicle Accidents (Lifetime Support Scheme) Act 2013

National Tax Reform (State Provisions) Act 2000

National Wine Centre (Restructuring and Leasing Arrangements) Act 2002

New Tax System Price Exploitation Code (South Australia) Act 1999

Parliamentary Superannuation Act 1974

Payroll Tax Act 2009 Treasurer Petroleum Products Regulation Act 1995

Police Superannuation Act 1990

Public Corporations Act 1993

Public Finance and Audit Act 1987

Rural Advances Guarantee Act 1963

SGIC (Sale) Act 1995

South Australian Timber Corporation Act 1979

South Australian Timber Corporation (Sale of Assets) Act 1996

Southern State Superannuation Act 2009

Stamp Duties Act 1923 Treasurer State Bank (Corporatisation) Act 1994

State Lotteries Act 1966

Superannuation Act 1988

Superannuation Funds Management Corporation of South Australia Act 1995

*Supplementary Financial Agreement (Soldiers Settlement Loans) Act 1934

TAB (Disposal) Act 2000

Taxation Administration Act 1996

Unclaimed Moneys Act 1891

* Denotes Act of limited application

Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector

Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1987

Dangerous Substances Act 1979

Daylight Saving Act 1971

Employment Agents Registration Act 1993

Explosives Act 1936

Fair Work Act 1994

Fair Work (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2009

Holidays Act 1910

Long Service Leave Act 1987

Return to Work Act 2014

Shop Trading Hours Act 1977

Standard Time Act 2009

Work Health and Safety Act 2012

The following agencies are within the Treasurer’s area of responsibility. They each publish their own Annual Report.

Lifetime Support Authority

The Lifetime Support Authority (LSA) delivers the Lifetime Support Scheme (LSS), which was established under the Motor Vehicle Accidents (Lifetime Support Scheme) Act 2013.

Through the LSS, the LSA funds necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support for people who sustain serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident on South Australian (SA) roads, regardless of fault.

The LSA commenced operations on 1 July 2014 and is a statutory authority governed by an independent Board of Directors and a Chief Executive.

LSA is not included in the department’s financial statements.

Office of the Industry Advocate

The Office of the Industry Advocate’s (OIA) role is to take action to further the objectives of the South Australian Industry Participation Policy and to build the capability and capacity of businesses based in South Australia to participate in State Government contracts.

OIA is not included in the department’s financial statements.

Compulsory Third Party Regulator

The purpose of the Regulator is to deliver a high-performing competitive CTP Scheme that offers choice, ease, and confidence to the South Australian community.

The Regulator is established as an independent statutory authority under the Compulsory Third Party Insurance Regulation Act 2016 (the Act).

The Regulator’s functions are funded from the administration fee component of the CTP premium paid by motorists upon registration of their motor vehicles. Regulator staff are employed by Department of Treasury and Finance and seconded to the Regulator.

CTP Regulator is included in the department’s financial statements.

South Australian Government Financing Authority

The purpose of the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) is to deliver quality, cost effective financial, insurance and fleet management services to clients within the South Australian public sector.

SAFA is a statutory authority constituted as the Under Treasurer under the Government Financing Authority Act 1982 and commenced operations in January 1983.

SAFA is managed by officers assigned from the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF).

SAFA is included in the department’s financial statements.

Super SA

Super SA is the superannuation provider for South Australian public sector employees. They administer the following:

  • Triple S Scheme
  • Pension Scheme
  • Lump Sum Scheme
  • Income Stream
  • Flexible Rollover Product
  • SA Ambulance Service Superannuation Scheme.
  • any other super fund established by the SA Government for its employees.

The Super SA Board is responsible for managing the schemes in line with the relevant Acts and legislation, however funds are managed by Funds SA.

Super SA is included in the department’s financial statements.

The following business unit is within the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sectors area of responsibility and publish their own Annual Report.

South Australian Employment Tribunal

The South Australian Employment Tribunal (SAET) is established under the South Australian Employment Tribunal Act 2014. SAET is a statutory independent tribunal and court that:

  • Resolves return to work disputes
  • Resolves certain employment and industrial disputes
  • Regulated South Australia’s industrial awards, agreements and registers
  • Determines work and safety related prosecutions
  • Resolves dust disease matters

Administrative and Corporate support staff were provided by the Department of Treasury and Finance until 30 June 2022. SAET was transferred to the Attorney General’s Department from 1 July 2022.

SAET is included in the department’s financial statements.

The agency's performance

DTF has provided policy advice to Government on measures to support the State’s economic recovery, including the $4 billion stimulus package announced in response to COVID-19 in the 2020-21 Budget.

DTF allocated resources to deliver the Government’s stimulus program as required, including:

  • Managed 2 rounds of small business grants
  • Administered the COVID-19 Support Fund (formerly the Business and Jobs Support Fund and the Community and Jobs Support Fund)
  • Provided secretariat support and advice to expanded Jobs and Economic Growth Fund Governance Group (formerly the Economic and Business Growth Fund Governance Group)
  • Administered the Homebuilder Program
  • Administered payroll tax deferral for tourism, hospitality and gyms/other businesses

DTF is also undertaking ongoing monitoring of stimulus measures including monthly reports to the Budget Cabinet Committee and Chief Executive Council as required.

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to have an impact on recipients of loans and grants across the industry assistance portfolio being managed by SAFA.  During 2021-22, a considerable number of loan and grant recipients requested and were granted deferrals on loan repayments and performance milestones as result of the effects of the pandemic on their business.

Key objective

Agency’s contribution

More jobs

Assisted the government in the development and implementation of a range of measures to support businesses, community organisations and jobs, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provided secretariat support to the former Jobs and Economic Growth Fund Governance Group including advice on the impacts of proposals on industry development and jobs in the state.

Contributed to the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub Project including negotiating land leases, facilitating access to State infrastructure and planning for common use infrastructure to enable private investment in a South Australian Hydrogen Industry.

Negotiated and managed industry assistance contracts on behalf of the Treasurer and other agencies that promoted economic and employment growth for the State

Lower costs

Provided advice to the incoming government to implement the savings strategies included as part of its election commitments.

Provided advice to the Government to enable it to limit the increase in Emergency Services Levy bills.

The Schools PPP team successfully oversaw the early refinance of the SA Schools PPP Project debt, providing nominal savings to the State of $2.37 million over the life of the operational phase.

Maintained and enhanced SAFA’s access to financial and insurance markets.

Supported the implementation of the South Australian Electric Vehicle Action Plan including a target to have 1% of the SUV and passenger fleet as ‘plug in’ by
30 June 2022.

Better Services

Contributed to the development of a new Preschool Reform Agreement providing $113 million in Commonwealth Government funding covering the 2022 to 2025 preschool years to support continued access to at least 15 hours of preschool each week for all children in the year before they start school.

Contributed to the development of a new National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement delivering $128 million in additional State and Commonwealth Government support for mental health services over the next five years.

Effectively managed the delivery of two birth to year 12 schools under a PPP arrangement at Aldinga and Angle Vale, respectively. Both sites were delivered on budget and on time with schools open to students on day 1, term 1, 2022.

Commissioned an independent evaluation of the Aspire social impact bond and oversaw implementation of the Newpin and Resilient Families social impact investments.

Continued to coordinate the state’s role in supporting construction of the new Australian Bragg Centre for proton therapy cancer treatment and research due for completion in late 2023.

Provided centralised across government insurance claims and risk management services.

Provided treasury and insurance services to internal and external clients.

Continued to provide consistent and practical services to support businesses and workers to improve work health and safety and workplace relations outcomes, including making it easier for people to engage with SafeWork SA and taking firm and fair action in the case of non-compliance

Progressed a number of initiatives to provide better services, including enabling electronic invoicing capability which will lead to faster supplier payments.

Agency objectives

Indicators

Performance

Program: Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Produce and publish the consolidated Government of South Australia financial statements for 2020-21, the 2021-22 Mid-Year Budget Review, and the 2022-23 Budget.

Produced and published the 2020‑21 financial statements, 2021‑22 MYBR and the 2022-23 Budget.

Program: Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Continue to provide advice to government to support the state’s economic recovery from the impacts of COVID‑19 and monitor the delivery of the government’s economic stimulus package.

Provided advice to the government on its economic stimulus package.

Administered the Homebuilder Program.

Program: Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Provide advice to the Treasurer on issues and national reforms being considered by the Council on Federal Financial Relations.

Provided briefings and advice to support the Treasurer when attending monthly Council on Federal Financial Relations and Board of Treasurers meetings.

Provided briefings to the Treasurer for his role on the National Federation Reform Council.

Program: Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Provide advice to government on budget related matters.

Briefed the incoming government on budget related matters as part of the incoming government briefing process.

Supported the incoming government to incorporate its election commitments into the 2022-23 Budget.

Program: Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Continue to support recovery and rebuilding in disaster affected communities.

Continued to support recovery and rebuilding in disaster affected communities through:

  • Provision of financial and budgetary advice to   the State Recovery Coordination and Planning   Group established for the ex-tropical cyclone Tiffany severe weather event
  • Assessing and managing claims for financial   assistance from councils through the Local Government Disaster Recovery   Assistance Arrangements.

Program: Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Continue to coordinate the state’s role in supporting construction of the new Australian Bragg Centre for proton therapy cancer treatment and research due for completion in late 2023.

Construction of the New Australian Bragg Centre is proceeding on schedule for completion in September 2023.

Program: Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Complete the construction phase of new birth to year 12 education facilities in Angle Vale and Aldinga to be built under a Public Private Partnership in close collaboration with the Department for Education and transfer operational responsibility to the Department for Education before the commencement of the 2022 school year.

Construction phase of the facilities completed on budget at $253.8 million and operational responsibility transferred to the Department for Education prior to the commencement of the 2022 school year.

Program: Treasury Services

Sub-program: Revenue Collection and Management

Continue to manage the Commonwealth Government’s HomeBuilder Grant Scheme through the continuing assessment of applications against the criteria and releasing payments upon confirmed eligibility.

RevenueSA has received 14,040 HomeBuilder Grant applications. Of these applications, 10,357 have been granted full approval and paid totalling approximately $248 million.

Program: Treasury Services

Sub-program: Revenue Collection and Management

Provide support to taxpayers in repayment of payroll tax COVID-19 relief deferments.

As at 30 June 2022, 134 businesses have deferred their payroll tax with a value of $3,657,231.

Program: Treasury Services

Sub-program: Revenue Collection and Management

Continue to manage the government’s land tax ex gratia schemes for COVID-19 relief, transition fund and affordable community housing (development and relief pilot) schemes.

A total of $19.45 million COVID-19 land tax landlord relief provided to 1734 landlords over the duration of the program.

The land tax transition fund has provided $2.18 million in relief to 30 June 2022.

Program: Treasury Services

Sub-program: Revenue Collection and Management

Increase the number of taxpayer transactions that are able to be performed through RevenueSA Online.

Self-service transactions facilitated through RevenueSA Online continue to grow:

  • 134 taxpayers   used RevenueSA online to indicate intention to defer their monthly payroll   tax payment for the return periods January 2022 to May 2022.
  • 1,855 online applications received from   taxpayers requesting payment assistance for land tax.

Program: Treasury Services

Sub-program: Revenue Collection and Management

Finalise re-writing of the Stamp Duties Act 1923 into a modern Duties Bill for the government’s consideration and introduction to parliament, including associated review and updating of published technical content.

Consultation complete and draft Bill is under consideration by Government.

Program: Industrial Relations

Sub Program: Industrial Relations

Lead the negotiation of public sector enterprise agreements for SA Modern Public Sector: Salaried, SA Public Sector Wages Parity: Weekly Paid, TAFE SA Education Staff, SA Ambulance Service, SA Metropolitan Fire Service Firefighters, Adelaide Festival Centre Performing Arts Centre, Adelaide Festival Centre Professional and Administration, Nurses and Midwives, Salaried Medical Officers, SA Health Clinical Academics, Visiting Medical Specialists, Assistants to Members of SA Parliament, Rail Commissioner: Infrastructure (Federal), Rail Commissioner: Maintenance (Federal), Funds SA, and SA Water Corporation.

New enterprise agreements were finalised for:

Assistants to the Members of the South Australian Parliament; Return to Work SA; SA Health Salaried Medical Officers; SA Health Visiting Dental Specialists; SA Water Corporation; South Australian Public Sector – Salaried; South Australian Public Sector Wages Parity - Weekly Paid; State Theatre Company of South Australia Workshops and Prop; Superannuation Funds Management Corporation of South Australia (trading as Funds SA); TAFE SA Educational Staff.

Negotiations commenced or continued for:

Nursing/Midwifery; SA Health Clinical Academics; SAMFS Firefighters; South Australian Ambulance Service; Adelaide Festival Centre Trust -Professional and Administrative employees; Adelaide Festival Centre Trust -Performing Arts Centre employees.

Program: Industrial Relations

Sub Program: Industrial Relations

Manage and provide advice about employment-related matters concerning the public sector including the conduct of litigation and resolution of industrial disputes and monetary claims.

Managed on behalf of the declared employer, 33 new matters. They included tribunal and court matters concerning monetary claims, industrial disputes, interpretation of clauses in enterprise agreements, and additional compensation matters.

Program: Industrial Relations

Sub Program: SafeWork SA

Continue to contribute to the work injury reduction trend in South Australia with firm and fair enforcement of the law.

Continued to undertake compliance, enforcement and education activities to contribute to the national target in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 of a 30% reduction in the incidence rate of claims resulting in one or more weeks off work by 2022.

Program: Industrial Relations

Sub Program: SafeWork SA

Continue to provide consistent and practical services to support businesses and workers to improve work health and safety and workplace relations outcomes, including making it easier for people to engage with SafeWork SA and taking firm and fair action in the case of non-compliance.

SafeWork SA’s Education team continued to provide advice and education on work health and safety and state-based industrial relations.

For the period 1 July 2021 to 17 May 2022, there were: six convictions recorded in the SAET for work health and safety matters, with penalties imposed totalling $736,000; and eight EUs finalised with an estimated minimum spend for enforceable undertakings totalling $1,205,561 with further rectification of $1,231,224 undertaken by the Person Conducting the Business or Undertaking (PCBU).

Program: Industrial Relations

Sub Program: SafeWork SA

Undertake and track the effectiveness of proactive compliance campaigns identified through incident, injury or illness data, or in response to jurisdictional or other recommendations, to educate and support industry compliance with work health and safety legislation.

SafeWork SA conducted a series of proactive compliance campaigns that were prioritised through incident, injury or illness data.

Campaigns included:

  • Managing Risk of Falls in Residential   Construction
  • Licensed Asbestos Removalist and Assessor
  • Muscular skeletal Disorders in Transport
  • Psychosocial   and Work Health Safety management systems
  • Security   Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate Licence holders.

Program: Industrial Relations

Sub Program: SafeWork SA

Finalise the implementation of changes arising from the ICAC evaluation

All recommendations were completed by 30 June 2022.

Program: Industrial Relations

Sub Program: SafeWork SA

Continue contributing to the implementation of the Commonwealth Government’s National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019-2023 by coordinating the whole of government response to asbestos awareness and management in South Australia

SafeWork SA established the SA Asbestos Action Plan Strategic Group (the Strategic Group), comprised of Executive level government members, to implement the National Strategic Plan in South Australia.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Shared Services

Engage with government suppliers on the progressive adoption of e-invoicing.

E-invoicing capability has been successfully implemented across 23 government agencies.  Shared Services SA has also worked with a number of suppliers to enable them to submit e-invoices.  The supplier onboarding program will continue in 2022-23.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Shared Services

Commence implementation of an electronic forms solution to streamline current human resources administrative processes.

The development of prototype electronic forms for position management and change of hours is well progressed.  A pilot implementation is planned to be undertaken in 2022‑23.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Shared Services

Implement the new version of the Basware invoice management system across SA Health.

During 2021-22, the new version of Basware was successfully deployed across six health entities.  Implementation for the remaining eight health entities is expected to be completed in November 2022.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Shared Services

Commence a project to progress the proposed replacement of the Masterpiece financial management system, subject to the outcome of the business case.

A high-level business case has been completed and funding allocated to progress initial project planning activities for the replacement of Masterpiece.  A project team has been established to progress the planning phase.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Shared Services

Support Super SA to implement the new choice of superannuation fund legislation.

Testing of a new version of CHRIS 21 (v8.25) is well progressed, which will support effective implementation of the choice of superannuation fund legislation.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Government Procurement

Implement the government’s new procurement policy framework and Treasurer’s Instructions for procurement management across the public sector.

Support has been provided to Public Authorities to transition to the new SA Procurement framework.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Government Procurement

Continue leading on the recommendations supported by the government in response to the South Australian Productivity Commission and Statutory Authorities Review Committee inquiries into government procurement.

96% of the South Australian Productivity Commission (SAPC) Stage 1 recommendations (24 of 25 PSSA Recommendations) have been implemented.

89% of the SAPC Stage 2 recommendations (41 of 46 PSSA Recommendations) have been implemented.

85% of the Statutory Authorities Review Committee recommendations (11 of 13 PSSA Recommendations) have been implemented.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Government Procurement

Implement a new capability strategy for procurement and contract management practitioners in the public sector.

In 2021-22, 780 officers from 50 Public Authorities attended training.

The programs covered contract management, contract development, industry engagement and social procurement.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Government Procurement

Establish new across government contracts for the supply of aviation services, stationery and office supplies, personal computer and server equipment, audit and financial advisory services, natural gas, fuels for state government fleet vehicles (fuel cards), messaging and business communications services, temporary staff services, and energy information management systems.

New contracts have been established for the supply of aviation services, stationery and office supplies, personal computer and server equipment and messaging and business communications services.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Electorate Services

Deliver the new House of Assembly electorate offices relocations resulting from the 2020 Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission review.

Eight of the ten offices affected by the 2020 Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission review have been settled with options for Elder and Enfield subject to further investigation.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Electorate Services

Finalise the delivery of ministerial chauffeur vehicles to replace the Holden Caprice thereby providing greater flexibility, lower emissions, and vehicles fit for purpose across the whole ministerial fleet.

The Holden Caprices have been replaced with a range of vehicles providing greater flexibility, fuel efficiencies and safety.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Electorate Services

Manage former members and staff smoothly and efficiently as required following the March 2022 state election whilst effectively engaging new members and staff after declaration of the polls.

All new member / staff inductions completed at the first opportunity after poll declaration.  Outgoing members and staff were well supported and informed in the lead up to and post-election.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Parliamentary Network Services

Improve disaster recovery capabilities.

Improved capability for Parliament to continue to function following a disaster situation.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit

Continue to identify non-financial resolution opportunities for vulnerable clients to address outstanding fines

Achieved and continuing to explore expansion into problem gambling.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit

Continue to accept additional civil debt from state government entities for recovery

FERU commenced debt recovery for an additional two state government entities in 2021-22.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit

Establish a new external debt collection panel to assist recovery in both fines and civil debt.

Procurement commenced in 2021‑22 for new external debt collection services agreement.

Program: Government Services

Sub Program: Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit

Implement operational changes to support approved legislative amendments to the Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Act 2017.

Parliamentary consideration of amending legislation lapsed. Amendments to be reintroduced.

The agency performance shown above does not include information relating to agencies that also publish their own Annual Report, so as to avoid repetition (Compulsory Third Party regulator, Lifetime Support Authority, Office of the Industry Advocate, South Australian Employment Tribunal, South Australian Financing Authority (SAFA) and Super SA).

  • DTF was an active contributor to the whole of government COVID Mobilisation Policy and Strategy. During peak periods of activity, DTF mobilised 65 employees to COVID related duties both internal and external to the Agency, including activities at the airport, testing stations, within the SA Health Contact Centre, and administering COVID response grants and programs.
  • The DTF Coaching Program was implemented with 17 senior leaders participating in the program.  Target audience was those identified as having the potential to take on a more senior or complex role in the future, including Executive roles.
  • DTF is well underway with the delivery of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) actions outlined in the ED&I plans.
  • An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Retention Plan has been implemented. This plan includes five key focus areas that aim to enhance employment and development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:
    • Attraction
    • Recruitment
    • Induction
    • Retention
    • Development
  • Developed an Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Development Strategy.  The plan focusses on creating a skilled and flexible workforce that embraces cultural diversity as a positive influence across DTF.
  • Achieved re-accreditation as a White Ribbon Australia workplace until 2024.
  • The Gender Equality and Respect Plan 2021–2024 was launched in November 2021. The plan outlines actions to create a safe and equitable workplace for all employees, regardless of gender.

Program name

Performance

Graduate Program

DTF provides a Graduate Program which provides opportunities for graduates in accounting, finance, commerce and economics to gain exposure in multiple parts of the business.

The program enables the graduates to work in a variety of areas within the business and focusses on assisting them to assimilate into the public sector, build their interpersonal skills and technical skills.

In 2021-22 DTF engaged 12 graduates.

Skilling SA / Electorate Services Traineeships

DTF employed 54 Trainees in 2021-22.

Performance management and development system

Performance

Our Conversations

DTF employees have Development Plans in place which are facilitated and documented through the online system OurDevelopment.

Program name

Performance

Wellbeing for Our People

Implementation of the 2021-2024 Wellbeing for Our People program continued to support our employees through individual choice of initiatives to maximize wellbeing in the areas of ‘Mind’, ‘Body’, ‘Purpose’ and ‘Place’. This included 147 staff participating in the Be Well personal resilience program.

Leadership Commitment to WHS

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu conducted a risk based self-insurer audit designed to gain insight into leaders’ understanding of WHS risk management and safety leadership and staff perceptions of safety and wellbeing behaviours. Results were overall positive with strengths including the Wellbeing for Our People program, consultation, and collaboration to inform future strategies.

Workplace injury claims

2021-22

2020-21

% Change
(+ / -)

Total new workplace injury claims

2

4

-50%

Fatalities

0

0

0

Seriously injured workers*

0

0

0

Significant injuries (where lost time exceeds a working week, expressed as frequency rate per 1000 FTE)

0.6

0

n/a

*number of claimants assessed during the reporting period as having a whole person impairment of 30% or more under the Return to Work Act 2014 (Part 2 Division 5)

Work health and safety regulations

2021-22

2020-21

% Change
(+ / -)

Number of notifiable incidents (Work Health and Safety Act 2012, Part 3)

0

0

0

Number of provisional improvement, improvement and prohibition notices (Work Health and Safety Act 2012 Sections 90, 191 and 195)

0

0

0

Return to work costs**

2021-22

2020-21

% Change
(+ / -)

Total gross workers compensation expenditure ($) ***

707,280

599,193

+18%

Income support payments – gross ($)

348,960

209,435

+67%

**before third party recovery

*** includes expenditure of now defunct entities of which DTF administers the workers compensation claims.

Data for previous years is available at: Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report statistics - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au

Executive classification

Number of executives

EXECOF

1

SAES 2

12

SAES 1

38

Notes:

  • this table does not include Executive employment in agencies that also publish their own Annual Report (Compulsory Third Party regulator, Lifetime Support Authority, Office of the Industry Advocate and South Australian Employment Tribunal), so as to avoid repetition.
  • Executive employee on unpaid leave in June 2022 has been included in the table above but will not be included in the data published by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment’s workforce information pages.

Data for previous years is available at: Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report statistics - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has a workforce information page that provides further information on the breakdown of executive gender, salary and tenure by agency.

Financial performance

The following is a summary of the overall financial position of the agency. The information is unaudited. Full audited financial statements for 2021-2022 are attached to this report.

The 2021-22 comprehensive result of $12.0 million is $12.0 million higher than the budgeted surplus of $0.003 million. This improvement primarily reflects the receipt of accrual appropriation excess funds from the Consolidated Account ($7.0 million). A range of smaller variations across the department account for the balance of the favourable variation.

The department’s actual net assets of $23.6 million at 30 June 2022 is $15.6 million higher than budgeted outcome of $8.0 million. This primarily reflects the better than budget comprehensive result for 2021-22 ($12.0 million).

Statement of Comprehensive Income

2021-22 Budget

$’000

2021-22 Actual

$’000

Variation

$’000

2020-21 Actual

$’000

Total income

282,022

302,929

20,907

257,924

Total expenses

282,019

290,891

8,872

268,056

Net result

3

12,038

12,035

(10,132)

Changes in assets

revaluation surplus

-

-

-

827

Total comprehensive result

3

12,038

12,035

(9,305)

Statement of Financial Position

2021-22 Budget

$’000

2021-22 Actual

$’000

Variation

$’000

2020-21 Actual

$’000

Current assets

30,122

48,568

18,446

34,382

Non-current assets

70,033

65,637

(4,396)

64,259

Total assets

100,155

114,205

14,050

98,641

Current liabilities

38,769

42,331

3,562

38,100

Non-current liabilities

53,355

48,248

(5,107)

48,541

Total liabilities

92,124

90,579

(1,545)

86,641

Net assets

8,031

23,626

15,595

12,000

Equity

8,031

23,626

15,595

12,000

The following is a summary of external consultants that have been engaged by the agency, the nature of work undertaken, and the actual payments made for the work undertaken during the financial year.

Consultancies with a contract value below $10,000 each

Consultancies

Purpose

$ Actual payment

All consultancies below $10,000 each - combined

27 individual engagements for various purposes.

116,500

Consultancies with a contract value above $10,000 each

Consultancies

Purpose

$ Actual payment

Power Sector Services Pty Ltd

Transmission engineering design advisor for projects managed by Commercial and Economics branch

11,270

The University of Adelaide

Technical advice on hazardous substances materials for emergency services

11,725

Michael Rice

Provision of superannuation advice and guidance to the Super SA Member Outcomes and Insurance committee

17,466

Deloitte Risk Advisory Pty Ltd

External web penetration testing of functionalities delivered by Frontier

19,688

KPMG

Specialist commercial advice

20,000

Converge International Inc

Staff coaching and wellbeing sessions for the South Australian Government Financing Authority

21,452

CyberCX Pty Ltd

Security and risk assessment of the Super SA public facing web application

22,500

RMB Service Group

Provision of an expert report associated with workplace incident investigation

23,891

Payroll Matters Pty Ltd

Provision of technical payroll services

25,200

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Specialist commercial advice

27,320

KPMG

Specialist commercial advice

29,680

Mott Macdonald Aust Pty Ltd

Specialist commercial advice

32,500

David Tune

Periodic review of the Board of Treasurers' objectives, functions, and organisation of the Board of Treasurers and the Secretariat

33,600

Acton Advisory Pty Ltd

Commercial advice relating to the Royal Adelaide Hospital public private public partnership

33,965

KPMG

Review of SA-NT DataLink to support SA Government policy design and program evaluation

34,171

Infrastructure SA

Gateway Review of the SA Schools public private partnership (PPP) project - operational readiness

37,363

GPA Engineering Pty Ltd

Specialist commercial advice

48,482

Mercer Consulting (Aust)Pty Ltd

Actuarial review of superannuation schemes

51,200

KPMG

Support for the development of a business case for the replacement of the Masterpiece financial management system

63,850

Adastra Corporate Advisory Pty Ltd

Specialist commercial advice

90,000

Bevington Consulting Pty Ltd

Support for the development of a target operating model business case to achieve outcomes related to the Super SA strategic plan

97,039

The NTF Group

Superannuation specialist assistance on various Super SA strategic projects

102,400

Gray Andreotti Advisory

Specialist commercial advice

103,130

KPMG

Detailed planning, costing and design activities for the initial vision phase of the Masterpiece replacement project

116,383

AECOM Australia Pty Ltd

Development and design of marine enabling infrastructure for Port Bonython hydrogen hub

118,227

Deloitte Consulting Pty Ltd

Engagement of a superannuation prudential management specialist

126,000

KPMG

Support for the development and implementation of a change management governance framework for Super SA

161,251

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Review of the fiscal effects of the new Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation (HFE) arrangements for each state and territory and for the Commonwealth Government

163,636

Financial IQ Pty Ltd

Support for the development of a target operating model business case to achieve outcomes related to the Super SA strategic plan

167,807

Bailey Abbott Pty Ltd

Review of the Super SA Information Communications Technology service model

190,135

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Specialist cyber security review and advice

420,000

GHD Pty Ltd

Specialist engineering advice

596,757

 

Total

3,018,088

Data for previous years is available at: Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report statistics - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au

See also the Consolidated Financial Report of the Department of Treasury and Finance for total value of consultancy contracts across the South Australian Public Sector.

The following is a summary of external contractors that have been engaged by the agency, the nature of work undertaken, and the actual payments made for work undertaken during the financial year.

Contractors with a contract value below $10,000

Contractors

Purpose

$ Actual payment

All contractors below $10,000 each - combined

42 individual engagements for various purposes.

180,245

Contractors with a contract value above $10,000 each

Contractors

Purpose

$ Actual payment

Gallagher Benefit Services

Customisation of Super SA's website calculator for the Triple S Scheme

10,000

Australian Institute of Management

SafeWork SA staff training

10,846

Objective Corporation Ltd

Technical support for the Objective records management system

10,875

Australian co-ordinating Registry (QLD)

Provision of quarterly data updates from the Queensland Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages

11,000

Key Energy & Resources Pty Ltd

Support services for the across government gas contract renewal

12,520

CyberCX Pty Ltd

Security review of the Procurement Activity and Reporting System (PARS)

12,600

DAATS Pty Ltd

Digital and audio transcription services related to a workplace incident investigation

13,538

Land Services SA

Modification of data feed files for the Revenue Information Online (RIO) system

14,600

CyberCX Pty Ltd

Security testing of the planned Bluedoor (ER3) software upgrade to ensure Bluedoor meets security requirements

14,625

Biz Hub Australia Pty Ltd

Proof of concept for the South Australian Employment Tribunal's (SAET) legacy system application 'Director'

15,000

Nucleus Media Australia Pty Ltd

Development of a series of reusable digital screen animations for Super SA’s new member centre

15,255

Greencap - NAA Pty Ltd

Asbestos testing - sample identification for a workplace incident investigation

15,638

CulturAlchemy Pty Ltd

Super SA staff training and workshops to build leadership and change management capability

17,000

Iocane Pty Ltd

Fines Unit disaster recovery environment infrastructure

18,795

IT Sutherland

Project management support for SafeWork SA annual records archiving program

20,894

Symmetri

Provision of strategic planning workshops for SafeWork SA

26,550

James Anthony Group Pty Ltd

Provision of specialised testing services for Super SA' website platforming project

27,495

Safety Wise Solutions Pty Ltd

Provision of Incident Cause Analysis Method training for SafeWork SA

28,672

DB Aero Pty Ltd

Formulation of tender documentation for the aircraft hire tender

32,338

CKM Management Solutions Pty Ltd

Management accounting services to assist in the preparation of the annual agency statements

34,453

Placard Pty Ltd

Production of high-risk work licence photocards

36,051

RixStewart Pty Ltd

Facilities management advisor for the schools PPP project

38,306

Peoplebank Australia Ltd

Parliamentary Network Support Group staff training

38,456

Adaps Pty Ltd

Testing of the new updated Super Steam messaging format to ensure Super SA is compliant with ATO requirements

38,700

Yell Creative Pty Ltd

Development of Super SA’s value proposition

42,000

KPMG

End of financial year reporting tool support

47,571

Bentleys (SA) Pty Ltd

Financial monitoring of builders in relation to the SA Schools PPP program

48,013

Live Pro Australia Pvt Ltd

Fines Unit knowledge management system software

49,652

Dun & Bradstreet (AUST) Pty Ltd

Provision of external debt collection services

51,220

Reculver Processing Services

Secure inbound mail processing services

51,583

Biz Hub Australia Pty Ltd

Migration of the South Australian Employment Tribunal's (SAET) legacy system application 'Director'

55,836

KPP Ventures Pty Ltd

Contract management support for the South Australian Government Financing Authority

58,383

Deloitte Risk Advisory Pty Ltd

Provision of audit and governance services in relation to Bluedoor (ER3) software upgrade and Fund Selection projects

67,000

Nerkle Business Modelling

Management accounting services

76,538

illion Digital Tech Solutions

Provision of external debt collection services

77,000

Rosslyn Cox And Mark Williams

SafeWork SA staff training

83,350

Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd

SA Schools PPP project - Technical Advisor

83,391

The University of Adelaide

Graduate development program training

83,749

Deloitte Risk Advisory Pty Ltd

Super SA internal audit services

87,838

Bailey Abbott Pty Ltd

Provision of services to scope requirements for a Fines Unit end-to-end telephony system

90,762

Hays Specialist Recruitment

Technical support for the Objective records management system

94,595

BDO Services Pty Ltd

Development and delivery of a procurement systems business case

96,955

CyberCX Pty Ltd

Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments

104,930

Nerkle Business Modelling

Management accounting services for the small business grant program

105,283

Flinders University

Evaluation of the Aspire social impact bond for Commercial and Economics branch

109,864

Elevation Design Pty Ltd

Design, creation, and installation of Super SA branding

120,672

KPMG

Review and assessment of rounds three, four and seven of the small business grant program

128,500

BDO Services Pty Ltd

Probity services for various projects managed by Commercial and Economics branch

131,507

Hudson Global Resources (Aust)

Financial services support for the South Australian Government Financing Authority

135,340

KPMG

Taxation advice on super SA statutory obligations

142,829

ASG Group Limited

Project management services to support the development and delivery of key Super SA strategic programs

145,725

SRA Information Technology Pty Ltd

Ongoing development, implementation and maintenance of SafeWork SA’s infonet system

147,207

National Credit Management

Provision of external debt collection services

151,857

ASG Group Limited

Project management services to support Super SA’s Print and Mail House Services project and the website replacement project

156,480

Between Pty Ltd

Information technology support for the South Australian Government Financing Authority

157,684

Lane Laser Printers Pty Ltd

Provision of printing and dispatch services

159,749

Enclave Project Delivery

Project director services for the Schools PPPP project

192,856

Identity Care Australia

Advice and assistance to employees impacted by the Frontier cyber incident

200,196

Debtrak Pty Ltd

Debt collection software licences and system maintenance services

208,310

WT Partnership

Independent reviewer services for Schools PPP project

242,371

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Internal Audit services

251,062

Australia Post

Provision of payment processing services for RevenueSA

252,932

Paxus Australia Pty Ltd

Information technology support for Super SA

265,824

Empired Ltd

Design and implementation of the new Super SA corporate website

273,111

Financial IQ Pty Ltd

Advisory services on the strategic product development and implementation of Super SA's Enterprise Release 3 project

279,750

KPMG

Review and assessment of rounds three and four of the small business grant program

310,324

LobsterPot Solutions Pty Ltd

Provision of data migration and customisation services for the Fines Unit

330,983

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Provision of payment processing services for RevenueSA

646,269

Industry Fund Services Pty Ltd

Financial planning services for Super SA members

1,323,397

Fujitsu Australia Ltd

Revenue SA system support and application management services

1,523,733

SS&C

Statement of Works for the Bluedoor System

2,731,579

 

Total

12,689,967

Data for previous years is available at: Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report statistics - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au

The details of South Australian Government-awarded contracts for goods, services, and works are displayed on the SA Tenders and Contracts website. View the agency list of contracts.

The website also provides details of across government contracts.

Risk Management

DTF continued to manage its risks through online systems and tools, conducted reviews in key areas, co-ordinated year-end assurance processes to support the preparation of DTF’s financial statements and conducted a comprehensive review of the strategic risk register.

DTF’s Risk and Performance Committee continued to provide high-level oversight of the Risk Management Framework and its implementation across the Agency. In 2021‑22 the Committee conducted several oversight activities related to strategic risks, financial statements, risk management, audit, and internal controls.

In November 2021 there was a data breach at the department’s outsourced payroll systems service provider, Frontier.

DTF worked proactively with Frontier to ensure a range of strategies were put in place to help protect current and former public sector employees from identity risks.  This included DTF commissioning a detailed independent review of the data breach, with the review informing additional strategies to ensure third party systems have appropriate controls to protect government and personal data.

Category/nature of fraud

Number of instances

Timesheet fraud

1

NB: Fraud reported includes actual and reasonably suspected incidents of fraud.

Data for previous years is available at: Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report statistics - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au

DTF is committed to the prevention, detection, and control of fraud, corruption, maladministration, and misconduct in connection with the Department’s activities.

DTF has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption, or other criminal conduct,

Maladministration, and misconduct. DTF is committed to minimising the incidence of

fraud and corruption through sound financial, legal, and ethical decision‑making and

organisational practices and promotes the principles of honesty and integrity

consistent with the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector.

DTF’s Fraud and Corruption Policy and Control Framework

provide DTF’s processes for identifying and responding to fraud risk.

DTF’s branches maintain and review their fraud risk register at branch level to ensure any new fraud risks are managed and controls are identified and implemented.

Detection, control, and prevention activities include:

  • Disclosure by staff of suspected or actual fraudulent behaviour
  • Reviews of transaction reports
  • Reviews of management reports
  • Data analysis
  • Conflict of interest declarations
  • Gifts and benefits arrangements
  • Employee screening
  • Confidentiality arrangements
  • Internal and external audits
  • Appropriate segregation of duties
  • Financial policies and procedures
  • Post incident review of internal controls
  • Financial year-end declaration processes
  • Mandatory fraud and corruption awareness training for new and existing employees.

Number of occasions on which public interest information has been disclosed to a responsible officer of the agency under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018:

One (1)

Data for previous years is available at: Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report statistics - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au

Note: Disclosure of public interest information was previously reported under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993 and repealed by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 on 1/7/2019.

Act or Regulation

Requirement

Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Act 2017 and Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Regulations 2018

7—Annual report

(1) The Chief Executive of the administrative unit of the Public Service that is, under a Minister, responsible for the administration of this Act must, not later than 30 September in each year, submit to the Minister a report on the work of the Chief Recovery Officer for the financial year ending on the preceding 30 June.

(2) The report must include information prescribed by the regulations or required by the Minister.

In accordance with the Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Act 2017, the work of the Chief Recovery officer for financial year 2021-22 is reported in the table below.

Note that some totals may not add due to rounding.

Court Penalties

Expiation

Total

Civil Debt

Total amount of debt payable to the Chief Recovery Officer as at 1 July 2021

$128.3m

$282.6m

$410.9m

$29.4m

Total amount of debt that became payable to the Chief Recovery Officer during the financial year (1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022)

$40.1m

$162.5m

$202.6m

$55.6m

Total amount paid to the Chief Recovery Officer during the financial year (1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022)

$21.0m

$93.6m

$114.6m

$7.7m

Total amount State Debt resolved by payment direct to Public Authorities during the financial year (1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022)

-

-

-

$5.6m

Total amount of debt waived* by the Chief Recovery Officer during the financial year (1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022)

$13.3m

$20.3m

$33.6m

-

Total amount of debt that was written off by the Chief Recovery Officer during the financial year (1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022)

$4.4m

$7.7m

$12.1m

$9.3m**

Total amount of penalties managed by the Chief Recovery Officer as at 30 June 2022 including:

Court Penalties

Expiation

Total

Civil Debt

Total amount subject to Arrangements

Total amount subject to arrangements includes amounts ‘not owed to state’ and ‘not yet due’

$56.4m

$143.8m

$200.2m

$9.3m

Total amount on which Payment has been deferred (Stay, Community Service, custody)

$6.6m

$12.0m

$18.6m

$2.5m

Total amount subject to Enforcement Action

$41.6m

$130.9m

$172.5m

$48.7m

Total amount not yet due (not debt)

$6.0m

$1.9m

$7.9m

-

Total amount not owed to State

$17.2m

$7.2m

$24.4m

-

Total

$127.8m

$295.8m

$423.6m

$60.6m

All payment from debtor contact are made to the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit not delegated external agencies.

*The Chief Recovery Officer has absolute discretion to waive payment of a fine or any part of an enforced fine. When an enforced fine is waived the liability for payment is expunged.

**The Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Act 2017 does not provide for the Chief Recovery Officer to write off Civil Debt, however the Chief Recovery Officer will make recommendations to the Public Authority the debt belongs to, to withdraw the debt and consider write off. These instances are reflected here.

Public complaints

Complaint categories

Sub-categories

Example

Number of Complaints

2021-22

Professional behaviour

Staff attitude

Failure to demonstrate values such as empathy, respect, fairness, courtesy, extra mile; cultural competency

12

Professional behaviour

Staff competency

Failure to action service request; poorly informed decisions; incorrect or incomplete service provided

10

Professional behaviour

Staff knowledge

Lack of service specific knowledge; incomplete or out-of-date knowledge

5

Communication

Communication quality

Inadequate, delayed or absent communication with customer

33

Communication

Confidentiality

Customer’s confidentiality or privacy not respected; information shared incorrectly

11

Service delivery

Systems/technology

System offline; inaccessible to customer; incorrect result/information provided; poor system design

34

Service delivery

Access to services

Service difficult to find; location poor; facilities/ environment poor standard; not accessible to customers with disabilities

3

Service delivery

Process

Processing error; incorrect process used; delay in processing application; process not customer responsive

111

Policy

Policy application

Incorrect policy interpretation; incorrect policy applied; conflicting policy advice given

24

Policy

Policy content

Policy content difficult to understand; policy unreasonable or disadvantages customer

274

Service quality

Information

Incorrect, incomplete, out dated or inadequate information; not fit for purpose

3

Service quality

Access to information

Information difficult to understand, hard to find or difficult to use; not plain English

3

Service quality

Timeliness

Lack of staff punctuality; excessive waiting times (outside of service standard); timelines not met

19

Service quality

Safety

Maintenance; personal or family safety; duty of care not shown; poor security service/ premises; poor cleanliness

0

Service quality

Service responsiveness

Service design doesn’t meet customer needs; poor service fit with customer expectations

12

No case to answer

No case to answer

Third party; customer misunderstanding; redirected to another agency; insufficient information to investigate

103

Investments (Super SA specific)

Investments

Investment fees; Dissatisfaction with investment of assets

6

  

Total

663

Additional Metrics

Revenue SA

Total

Number of positive feedback comments

20

Number of negative feedback comments

0

Total number of feedback comments

20

% complaints resolved within policy timeframes

80%

Super SA

Total

Number of positive feedback comments

32

Number of negative feedback comments

170

Total number of feedback comments

202

% complaints resolved within policy timeframes

76%

Shared Services SA

Total

Number of positive feedback comments

21

Number of negative feedback comments

0

Total number of feedback comments

21

% complaints resolved within policy timeframes

90%

SafeWork SA

Total

Number of positive feedback comments

10

Number of negative feedback comments

4

Total number of feedback comments

14

% complaints resolved within policy timeframes

68%

Fines and Enforcement and Recovery Unit

Total

Number of positive feedback comments

1

Number of negative feedback comments

11

Total number of feedback comments

12

% complaints resolved within policy timeframes

100%

Data for previous years is available at: Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report statistics - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au

During 2021-22 the Complaints management policy was updated and improved in line with recommendations made in the 2020-21 audit by PwC.

Service Improvements made by individual DTF Branches resulting from complaints or consumer suggestions over 2021-22 are set out below:

Revenue SA

All complaints are reviewed by the relevant Section Manager and the Executive leadership team.

A new approach to recruitment and training of frontline staff has contributed to service improvements, in particular, first time resolution and the reduction in complaints.

Super SA

Service improvements resulting from complaints or consumer suggestions implemented in 2021-22 include:

  • Amended the   legislation to permit extensions of the two year time limit to lodge Total   and Permanent Disability claims (TPD) claims, which previously could not be   extended under any circumstances.
  • Amended the   legislation to improve the Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) definition   in the Flexible Rollover Product (FRP) in respect of the work test (meaning   it is less restrictive).
  • Removed the   investment switching fee on all schemes and products, allowing members to   make multiple investment switches, without being charged.
  • Reviewed and   updated Board delegations, to allow more staff to process certain payment   types, thereby reducing the time taken to action requests and improving   services to members.
  • Enterprise   Release Upgrade:  Modern Registry   Platform which provides great member information security –digital payment   system and fast processing times for members.
  • Implemented a   new process for loading Guardianship orders from the Public Trustee to   improve member records.
  • Review of   member communication and consolidation of forms to improve member outcomes.

Shared Services SA

The following enhancements were made to the Complaint Management System during 2021-22:

  • System generated reminder emails are sent to   key contacts to ensure complaints are addressed within required timeframes;
  • Functionality has been enabled which allows   complaints to be actioned by responsible parties across multiple teams within   Shared Services SA; and
  • The front-end interface has been updated to   improve user experience.

Shared Services SA also continues to hold monthly Complaint Management meetings where representatives from each line of business are in attendance. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss reporting and improvement opportunities.

The focus in 2021-22 has been on knowledge sharing, improving the system and ensuring complaint coordinators continue to build their capability in supporting the business with effective complaints management.

SafeWork SA

An analysis of complaint data for the 2021-22 financial year indicated that 31.8% of the complaints received were in regard to service responsiveness and process.

A deep dive of those complaints revealed complainant’s expectations where not satisfied with some information given to them.  Particularly the limitations of providing information into Work Health and Safety investigations with the Acts confidentiality provisions. A training session conducted during the latter part of 2021-22 on the correct application of providing information to SafeWork SA clients and the need for transparency of process.  This has seen a reduction in these areas of complaints and freedom of information requests.

Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit (FERU)

FERU’s strategic direction has a clear focus on providing professional, respectful and empathetic service and interactions to our clients, to ensure we maintain best practice client service outcomes.  This includes strengthening the comprehensive training and induction program, maintaining a skilled and valued workforce, maximising self-service options for clients and always looking for ways to do things better and deliver what we promise for both clients, and government.

Compliance Statement

Department of Treasury and Finance is compliant with Premier and Cabinet Circular 039 – complaint management in the South Australian public sector.

Yes

Department of Treasury and Finance has communicated the content of PC 039 and the agency’s related complaints policies and procedures to employees.

Yes

Appendix: Audited Financial Statements 2021-22