To provide an efficient, reliable and cost-effective framework of administrative support for the activities of Australian Government agencies and departments operating overseas.
The sub-program is administered by the Corporate Services Division and in particular the Resources Branch. All Australian missions overseas contribute to the sub-program.
Major outcomes for 1993-94 were:
formation of a Locally Engaged Staff (LES) sub-section in Overseas Resources Section to enhance the focus on LES issues;
devolution of financial delegations to an increased number of LES to the point where two thirds of posts now have LES Overseas Certifying Officers to increase LES job satisfaction and release Australian-based staff for other priorities;
New more flexible method of funding LES salary increases;
Increasingly effective integration of LES into the work of overseas missions through a centrally initiated LES training strategy which included (for the first time) senior LES with Australia-based post managers in regional management conferences; introduction of distance learning courses to enhance LES financial management skills; and, introduction of pilot efficiency audits of post training programs;
Post specific training programs for LES at a number of posts;
A new system for collecting data to improve forecasting and budgeting for lump sum retirement payments for LES;
Completion of a review of posts’ administrative budgets which redistributed and improved post budget practices.
Dialogue with the Overseas Property Group of the Department of Administrative Services on overseas property priorities resulted in an agreed strategy to rationalise land holdings in Singapore and approval of construction of new chanceries in Hanoi and Islamabad and upgrade of chancery in London.
Review of transfer of LES to DEET
With the Department of Employment, Education and Training, commenced review of the transfer of LES resources to DEET that was undertaken on a temporary basis in 1992-93.