Guidelines

Cost Recovery Guidelines

DTF has developed Guidelines to clarify the Government’s policy principles underpinning cost recovery arrangements. The Guidelines provide a rigorous framework for use by government entities when considering, developing and reviewing user charges and regulatory fees. They ensure that cost recovery arrangements in Victoria are transparent, efficient, effective and consistent with legislative requirements and government policy.

(Note: The annual rate for 2008-09, as discussed in Section 5.2 of the Guidelines, is 3 per cent.)

Cost Recovery Guidelines 2007 (597 kb PDF)

Prudential Insurance Standard

Given the magnitude and role of Victorian public sector insurance agencies, the Government has established a framework of legislation, policy and guidelines to support the prudential supervision of these agencies. The Prudential Insurance Standard for Victorian Government Insurance Agencies forms a critical part of the Government's prudential supervision framework and is designed to:

• ensure that the assets held are sufficient to fund liabilities;
• safeguard the interests of policyholders and claimants; and
• minimise the risk of any adverse impact on the State's financial position and on consumers.

In particular, the Prudential Insurance Standard establishes clear expectations for the Boards and managements of the agencies, with the an annual attestation of compliance being required from both of these parties.

Prudential Insurance Standard (62 kb PDF)

Treasury Management Guidelines

The Treasury Management Guidelines set a framework to guide Government Business Enterprises in the development and management of their treasury function. The framework is designed to ensure consistency with:

• the debt and financial management objectives and risk tolerance of the State;
• the institutional and administrative structure for public sector treasury management; and
• the accountability framework that has been established under the GBE reform program.

The guidelines provide detail on the Government’s overall public sector debt management objectives which are:

• to ensure the State’s net debt is maintained at a prudent level;
• to ensure access to financial markets;
• to minimise borrowing costs; and
• to ensure effective management of the State’s financial risks.

They also outline the responsibilities of the Department, Treasury Corporation of Victoria and Government Business Enterprises with regard to financial risk.

Treasury Management Guidelines - June 2007 (364 kb PDF)

Corporate Planning and Performance Reporting Requirements

The Corporate Planning and Performance Reporting Requirements outline the corporate planning, reporting and distribution obligations of Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) to DTF.

GBEs must meet these obligations in order for DTF to effectively evaluate their performance and provide advice to the Treasurer in his role as shareholder in a timely manner.

The requirements provide direction and advice about content, process, endorsement and key dates associated with GBE planning, reporting and distribution obligations to DTF. Areas covered in the requirements include:

• corporate planning;
• capital expenditure proposals;
• quarterly reporting;
• annual reporting;
• whole of government reporting; and
• dividend/distribution payments.

The requirements should be read in conjunction with the State Services Authority’s Good Practice Guide on Governance for Victorian Public Sector Entities, which is available at www.ssa.vic.gov.au

Corporate Planning and Performance Reporting Requirements Government Business Enterprises (303 kb PDF)

Victorian Guide to Regulation

The Victorian Guide to Regulation is the definitive guide to developing regulation in Victoria. It is a comprehensive and valuable source of information and guidance to those involved in the design and assessment of best practice government regulation.

The Guide was revised in April 2007 to incorporate a number of changes and improvements to the guidance material. It also describes changes to relevant government processes since the release of the original Guide.

Victorian Guide to Regulation 2007 (2,189 kb PDF)