Part 1: Performance reporting
External performance reporting framework
Outcomes and output groups
The 'Performance reporting' part of this annual report encompasses FaCS' three outcomes and 10 output groups as shown in Figure 1 below. The Government delivers benefits to the Australian community (outcomes) primarily through administered items (often described as programs) and FaCS' goods and services (outputs), which are delivered against specific performance indicators.
Outcome performance information relates to the specific impact that an agency's outputs and administered items have had on the community.
Figure 1 Outcome and output group structure (Text description)
Departmental outputs
Four common 'departmental' outputs are reported for each of the 10 output groups. Broadly, these outputs are the direct product of the policy, management and administrative functions of FaCS. The outputs are:
- policy advice
- purchasing, funding and relationship management
- research and evaluation
- service delivery (which is commonly provided by agents of FaCS).
Outputs are reported on in the order in which they appear in the financial and staffing resources summaries for ease of reading. They are not in priority order.
Performance indicators
FaCS employs a holistic external reporting structure comprising:
- common effectiveness indicator categories for administered items and outputs that reflect key strategies for social policy
- quality, quantity and price indicators for outputs
- operating environment statements for the three outcomes, to set the context for the performance.
For more information about the FaCS external reporting framework, see pages 44–47 of the FaCS part of the Portfolio Budget Statements 2003–04.
Performance information is reported against the performance indicators published in the 2003–04 Portfolio Budget Statements. This reporting is complemented by other relevant reporting, including the results of evaluation.