Terms of reference for the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision

Preamble

1. The Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (the Steering Committee) was established in 1993 by the (then) Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
2. In 2025, the Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) – comprising the Commonwealth Treasurer as Chair and all state and territory treasurers – reaffirmed the Steering Committee’s integral role in the national performance reporting system and contribution to transparency and accountability in government services.
3. The Steering Committee comprises representatives from the central agencies of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and specialist observers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Purpose

4. In undertaking its functions, the Steering Committee informs Australians about the comparative performance of governments in delivering services (across jurisdictions and within jurisdictions over time) to contribute to the wellbeing of all Australians by driving enhanced government service delivery.

Outputs

5. To this end, the Steering Committee will:
   1. prepare and publish the Report on Government Services (according to a separate Terms of reference for the Report on Government Services)
   2. collate and report on performance data for indicators articulated in National Agreements under the Federation Funding Agreements Framework (according to a separate Terms of reference to be developed with all governments)
   3. undertake other exercises as referred to it by the CFFR.
6. To support the quality and integrity of these products, the Steering Committee will:
   1. oversee an annual program of continuous improvement ensuring the integrity of the performance data it collects and holds
   2. engage with other parallel data working groups
   3. maximise the accessibility to governments and the Australian community of the performance data it collects, taking advantage of developments in electronic storage, manipulation and publication of data. It will work with other government agencies in Australia undertaking similar work to ensure a consistent and best practice approach
   4. remain informed of national and international developments in performance measurement, especially measurement of government service provision.
7. The Steering Committee’s ability to produce meaningful comparative information requires timely access to data and information. All jurisdictions are committed to facilitate the provision of necessary data, either directly or via a data agency, to meet Steering Committee timelines and to ensure the Steering Committee can meet its obligations to CFFR.

Operational and administrative support

8. The Steering Committee is supported by subject area working groups that provide advice and data to assist the Steering Committee to meet its Terms of reference.
9. A Secretariat located within the Productivity Commission is responsible for providing administrative support to the Steering Committee to meet its Terms of reference. The Secretariat also undertakes research and analysis to highlight issues of policy interest (e.g., innovative practice) and address reporting gaps. The Secretariat is a neutral body and does not represent any jurisdiction.

Administrative arrangements

10. Steering Committee representation, governance and decision-making processes, and policies and principles for reporting are set out in a supporting charter of operations, which should be read in conjunction with this document.
11. The charter of operations also outlines the Steering Committee’s relationship with its technical working groups.