Our performance
Our performance framework is aligned with the Commonwealth Performance Framework, established under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). We assess our performance by measuring how we have delivered on our intended results, and through them how we achieve our purpose.
These performance measures have been developed to both plan and measure performance over multiple reporting periods, and are directly linked to our strategic objectives and purpose. Our results against all performance measures will be reported in the Annual Performance Statements which will be included in our 2022–23 Annual Report.
"Our performance is dependent on our ability to build and maintain genuine partnerships."
We acknowledge that our ability to deliver intended results requires contribution from a broad range of partners and stakeholders. We work with states and territories, other government agencies, communities, and private stakeholders to achieve our purpose. Our performance is dependent on our ability to build and maintain genuine partnerships and cooperation with all stakeholders.
The ability of the Agency to achieve our outcomes is impacted by a number of external factors such as our environment and interrelated partnerships. Accordingly, our performance measures have been developed with reference to our dynamic operating environment, the interdependencies of our activities, and our role as an influencer across government. To assess our achievement we have used a mix of output and effectiveness measures. Our performance will be measured through a mix of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and data sources. These sources of information and methodologies are reliable, verifiable and free from bias.
Our performance framework provides details on how we measure progress in achieving our purpose by identifying:
- Activities — the work we do to deliver on our priorities and fulfil our purpose
- Intended results — the impact or difference we want to achieve through the activities we perform
- Performance measures — how we will measure and assess the progress towards an intended result
- Targets — specific criteria we will measure success against, over time
- Rationales and methodologies — information we will utilise to confirm our performance and the method we use to collect the information to monitor results and track progress
Intended result
Improved economic opportunities and access for First Nations peoples in the areas of employment, pathways to jobs, businesses and the generation of economic and social benefits from effective use of their land, resulting in positive progress on relevant Closing the Gap outcomes; and Stewardship and support for Indigenous participation targets in government procurement and major projects.
Proportion of IAS Program 1.1 activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Rationale:
The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) is the way the Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programs specifically for First Nations peoples. Since its establishment as an executive agency on 1 July 2019, NIAA has administered the IAS.
This measure relates directly to the purpose of NIAA to enable the self-determination and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through employment skills and training pathways by leading the development of the Australian Government’s approach, focusing on place based, service delivery partnerships, and effectively delivering programs through the IAS.
Targets identified reflect how activities are delivered in a complex and multifaceted environment and account for impacting external factors beyond the control of NIAA. For example, in the case of floods, communities can be cut off and service delivery is compromised for periods of time.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment of core service delivery of IAS grant activities, specifically the key service delivery KPI, contained in service provision agreements (output measure).
- The period of data used to measure our performance is the most recent 12 month period for which sufficient data is available, to avoid bias in the result. For the 2022–23 Financial Year, the data reported would be drawn from IAS performance report assessments completed by NIAA Agreement Managers for performance reports covering the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
- Note: Data reported is drawn from IAS performance report assessments completed by NIAA Agreement Managers, for the relevant reporting periods. A number of Program 1.1 Jobs Land and Economy IAS activities are managed in the Employment Services System. These are employment-focused activities, generally paid per employment outcome. As such, different performance management arrangements apply to this cohort of IAS activities than those applied to most IAS activities, and therefore, they are excluded from data used to calculate achievement of this measure.
Increased Government procurement from First Nations owned businesses in alignment with the commitment under the Australian Government Indigenous Procurement Policy.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3% increase in value and 3% increase in volume of contracts on previous year | 3% increase in value and 3% increase in volume of contracts on previous year | 3% increase in value and 3% increase in volume of contracts on previous year | 3% increase in value and 3% increase in volume of contracts on previous year |
Rationale:
The Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) policy document defines success as:
- An increase in the number of Indigenous businesses awarded a contract
- An increase in the volume and value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses across the Australian Government.
Targets have been developed to reflect the average growth in contract value, which, over the last four years has been around 9% with the lowest being 3% and the highest being 15%.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment of increase in whole-of-government procurement in First Nations owned business (effectiveness measure).
- Assessment of result will be of equal weighting between the increase in value and increase in volume targets of eligible procurements awarded to Indigenous enterprises each financial year.
- Data collected through the IPP Reporting Solution. AusTender data is matched with ORIC and Supply Nation’s list of First Nations owned business ABNs. Departments manually upload low value purchases with First Nations owned businesses.
Intended result
Improved wellbeing, development, access and attainment of education for Indigenous children and students, resulting in positive progress on relevant Closing the Gap outcomes.
Proportion of IAS Program 1.2 activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Rationale:
The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) is the way the Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programs specifically for First Nations peoples. Since its establishment as an executive agency on 1 July 2019, NIAA has administered the IAS.
The measure relates directly to the purpose of NIAA to enable the self-determination and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through delivering activities aimed at supporting early childhood development and wellbeing, school attendance, attainment and improved post school pathways.
Targets identified reflect how activities are delivered in a complex and multifaceted environment and account for impacting external factors beyond the control of NIAA. For example, in the case of floods, communities can be cut off, and service delivery is compromised for periods of time.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment of core service delivery of IAS grant activities, specifically the key service delivery KPI, contained in service provision agreements (output measure).
- The period of data used to measure our performance is the most recent 12 month period for which sufficient data is available, to avoid bias in the result. For the 2022–23 Financial Year, the data reported would be drawn from IAS performance report assessments completed by NIAA Agreement Managers for performance reports covering the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
Intended result
Improved mental health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples, resulting in positive progress on relevant Closing the Gap outcomes.
Proportion of IAS Program 1.3 activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Rationale:
The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) is the way the Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programs specifically for First Nations peoples. Since its establishment as an executive agency on 1 July 2019, NIAA has administered the IAS.
The measure relates directly to the purpose of NIAA to enable the self-determination and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through delivering activities aimed at improving wellbeing and/or reducing levels of offending, violence and substance abuse.
Targets identified reflect how activities are delivered in a complex and multifaceted environment and account for impacting external factors beyond the control of NIAA. For example, in the case of floods, communities can be cut off, and service delivery is compromised for periods of time.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment of core service delivery of IAS grant activities, specifically the key service delivery KPI, contained in service provision agreements (output measure).
- The period of data used to measure our performance is the most recent 12 month period for which sufficient data is available, to avoid bias in the result. For the 2022–23 Financial Year, the data reported would be drawn from IAS performance report assessments completed by NIAA Agreement Managers for performance reports covering the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
Intended result
The maintenance of Indigenous cultural expression and conservation, equal participation in the economic and social life of the nation and the improved capabilities of Indigenous organisations.
Proportion of IAS Program 1.4 activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Rationale:
The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) is the way the Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programs specifically for First Nations peoples. Since its establishment as an executive agency on 1 July 2019, NIAA has administered the IAS.
The measure relates directly to the purpose of NIAA to enable the self-determination and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by delivering a wide range of important services that support culture and capability.
Targets identified reflect how activities are delivered in a complex and multifaceted environment and account for impacting external factors beyond the control of NIAA. For example, in the case of floods, communities can be cut off, and service delivery is compromised for periods of time.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment of core service delivery of IAS grant activities, specifically the key service delivery KPI, contained in service provision agreements (output measure).
- The period of data used to measure our performance is the most recent 12 month period for which sufficient data is available, to avoid bias in the result. For the 2022–23 Financial Year, the data reported would be drawn from IAS performance report assessments completed by NIAA Agreement Managers for performance reports covering the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
Intended result
Enhanced regional governance and local decision-making.
Proportion of IAS Program 1.5 activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Rationale:
The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) is the way the Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programs specifically for First Nations peoples. Since its establishment as an executive agency on 1 July 2019, NIAA has administered the IAS.
The measure relates directly to the purpose of NIAA to enable the self-determination and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by delivering a wide range of important services that enhance regional governance, and improve partnerships with communities through place-based practice.
Targets identified reflect how activities are delivered in a complex and multifaceted environment and account for impacting external factors beyond the control of NIAA. For example, in the case of floods, communities can be cut off, and service delivery is compromised for periods of time.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment of core service delivery of IAS grant activities, specifically the key service delivery KPI, contained in service provision agreements (output measure).
- The period of data used to measure our performance is the most recent 12 month period for which sufficient data is available, to avoid bias in the result. For the 2022–23 Financial Year, the data reported would be drawn from IAS performance report assessments completed by NIAA Agreement Managers for performance reports covering the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
Progressing regional voice policy development (in partnership with First Nations peoples) and associated implementation of regional voice arrangements agreed by governments.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progress on implementation of regional voice arrangements against planning | Progress on implementation of regional voice arrangements against planning | Progress on implementation of regional voice arrangements against planning | Progress on implementation of regional voice arrangements against planning |
Rationale:
This measure relates to NIAA’s key role in enabling an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice — through the implementation of regional voice arrangements, broadly consistent with the Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final Report where agreed by Government.
Methodology and data sources:
- Output measure, derived using qualitative data, supplemented by case studies.
- Implementation data collected by NIAA and may include feedback from a regional voice arrangements Establishment Group.
Development and implementation of plans and agreements in partnership with communities.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progress has been made in the development and implementation of plans or agreements in partnership with communities | Progress has been made in the development and implementation of plans or agreements in partnership with communities | Progress has been made in the development of plans or agreements in partnership with communities | Progress has been made in the development of plans or agreements in partnership with communities |
Rationale:
A focus on place and working in partnership is central to NIAA’s work and integral to its purpose of enabling the self-determination and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and enabling First Nations peoples to have a say in matters that affect them. Improving partnerships with communities and other stakeholders through applying place-based practice/approaches, Closing the Gap Priority Reforms (including PR1 formal partnerships and shared decision-making) and other tools and processes are ways we are working to do this.
Methodology and data sources:
- Qualitative assessment of development and implementation of plans and agreements in partnership with communities, based on case studies.
- Managers of relevant NIAA Groups that partner with communities and Indigenous stakeholders would nominate one case study at the start of each financial year (or as part of mid-cycle reporting) — nominated topics should reflect expectation that real progress/change on the ground will be made over the course of the year through partnership with communities and relevant other stakeholders.
- The focus is on plans and agreements developed and/or implemented by the NIAA in genuine (formalised) partnership with community and other key partners, and which support community priorities and aspirations.
Intended result
Evaluation efforts were prioritised based on significance, contribution and policy risk as per the IAS Evaluation Framework; and Improved outcomes for First Nations peoples as a result of enhanced design, implementation and delivery of agency policies and programs.
Publish an annual evaluation work plan each September taking into account the prioritisation criteria outlined in the NIAA Evaluation Framework.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2022 | September 2023 | September 2024 | September 2025 |
Rationale:
NIAA invests in evaluations, reviews, data improvement activities, capability development and research to inform the design and delivery of policies and programs, and to understand the extent to which the Indigenous Advancement Strategy is achieving its goal of supporting the aspirations of First Nations peoples.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment against timeline (output measure)
Proportion of completed evaluations or summaries on the work plan that are released.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% of completed evaluations or summaries on the work plan released | 100% of completed evaluations or summaries on the work plan released | 100% of completed evaluations or summaries on the work plan released | 100% of completed evaluations or summaries on the work plan released |
Rationale:
NIAA invests in evaluations, reviews, data improvement activities, capability development and research to inform the design and delivery of policies and programs, and to understand the extent to which the Indigenous Advancement Strategy is achieving its goal of supporting the aspirations of First Nations peoples.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment of released completed evaluations on the work plan (output measure).
Intended result
Enable First Nations peoples and governments to work together in partnership to overcome the inequality experienced by First Nations peoples, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.
Proportion of NIAA’s investment through Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) grants that align with Closing the Gap outcomes and Priority Reforms.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% of IAS grant investments contribute to Closing the Gap outcomes and Priority Reforms | 100% of IAS grant investments contribute to Closing the Gap outcomes and Priority Reforms | 100% of IAS grant investments contribute to Closing the Gap outcomes and Priority Reforms | 100% of IAS grant investments contribute to Closing the Gap outcomes and Priority Reforms |
Rationale:
NIAA is responsible for allocating Australian Government funding via IAS grants to support achievement of the Closing the Gap outcomes and Priority Reforms.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative (output measure).
- Data source is the mandatory grant activity coding processes of IAS grants in our grant management system (FUSION).
- Calculation will assess proportion of IAS grants assessed within the reporting period that show contribution towards Closing the Gap outcomes and Priority Reforms.
NIAA delivers the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and implementation plan through partnerships and engagement with other Australian Government portfolios, First Nations representatives, and state, territory and local governments.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinates and delivers a Commonwealth Closing the Gap annual report and updates to the Commonwealth Implementation Plan within the reporting period Coordinates whole-of-government implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Milestones in implementing the Priority Reform actions have been achieved (where applicable) | Coordinates and delivers a Commonwealth Closing the Gap annual report and updates to the Commonwealth Implementation Plan within the reporting period Coordinates whole-of-government implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Milestones in implementing the Priority Reform actions have been achieved (where applicable) | Coordinates and delivers a Commonwealth Closing the Gap annual report and updates to the Commonwealth Implementation Plan within the reporting period Coordinates whole-of-government implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Milestones in implementing the Priority Reform actions have been achieved (where applicable) | Coordinates and delivers a Commonwealth Closing the Gap annual report and updates to the Commonwealth Implementation Plan within the reporting period Coordinates whole-of-government implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Milestones in implementing the Priority Reform actions have been achieved (where applicable) |
Rationale:
The Commonwealth Implementation Plan outlines the Australian Governments commitments to achieve the targets and deliver on the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The Priority Reforms were agreed in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and all levels of government. Leading the Government’s approach to embedding these Priority Reforms is how we will change the way we work with First Nations Australians and provide the foundation for future progress against the targets and supporting the aspirations of First Nations peoples.
Methodology and data sources:
- Quantitative assessment against timeframe supported by qualitative analysis of actions taken.
- Assessment of the NIAA’s leadership and coordination role will be undertaken through analysis of records from committees and meetings. These include weekly Interdepartmental committee meetings across the Government, internal meetings for implementation within NIAA, Joint Working Group, Partnership Working Group and Joint Council.
- Analysis of the extent of implementation of the Priority Reforms will include data sets relating to meetings to drive/deliver sector-strengthening plans, policy partnerships and working group meetings. Maintaining effective partnership arrangements with the Coalition of Peaks analysis will include a review of records of fortnightly meetings, drafting group with jurisdictions, and workshop sessions with the Coalition of Peaks.
Intended result
NIAA supported key stakeholder participation in the process to deliver a referendum. The referendum is delivered.
NIAA supports the Government in the delivery of a referendum that enshrines an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.
| Target 2022–23 | Target 2023–24 | Target 2024–25 | Target 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead preparation for a referendum, including through First Nations engagement, coordination across the Australian Public Service (APS) and supporting government processes | Targets for 2023–24 will be considered after the October 2022 budget | - | - |
Rationale:
This measure relates to NIAA’s role in leading coordination of a referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.
Methodology and data sources:
- Qualitative and survey assessment of the level of engagement and support.
- Qualitative analysis of the effectiveness of APS coordination.
- Quantitative assessment against time frames.