DIMA Annual Report 1998-99

Appendix 5: Staffing Levels

5a: Staffing levels by location (as at 30 June 1999)

(Includes all staff employed under the Public Service Act 1922)

Location	30 June 1998	30 June 1999
Central Office	1171	1174
New South Wales	781	812
Victoria	418	422
Queensland	161	169
Western Australia	148	150
South Australia	78	75
Tasmania	17	19
Northern Territory	25	29
ACT Regional Office	48	48
Overseas* (Australia based staff)	133	152
Australia totals	2980	3050
Overseas** (Locally-engaged staff)	605	624#
Totals	3585	3674

* This figure includes staff in transit pool awaiting placement in a Division.
** Includes overseas staff employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on behalf of DIMA,levels fluctuate according to demand for service.
# As at 31 December 1998

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5b: Staffing levels by classification (as at 30 June 1999)

Table 44

5c: Senior Executive Service (as at 30 June 1999)

Classification	Gender		Total
	Male	Female
SES Band 2	5	1	6
SES Band 1	13	5	18

In addition to the above staffing numbers, a female SES Band 1 officer is currently on a voluntary temporary reduction to Executive Level 2 to facilitate an overseas posting.

Intra-agency mobility

One male SES Band 1 officer is currently on leave without pay from the Department to undertake an appointment as Registrar, National Native Title Tribunal.

Gains and losses

Since 30 June 1998, one SES Band 3 officer left the Australian Public Service to assume an appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Commission. Recruitment action is in progress to fill the vacancy.

Two male SES Band 1 officers retired from the Department during this period. Several SES Band 1 positions were advertised on 24 June 1999 and recruitment action is in progress.

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5d: Performance appraisal and pay

Assessments of SES performance for 1997-98 were completed and the performance bonuses paid.

At DIMA, the maximum bonus payable is 10 per cent of the SES officer's salary as at 30 June 1998.

Performance bonus amounts paid, by SES level, were:

SES Band 1	$39 654
Special Assistance Category	$30 283
TOTALS	$69 937

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5e: Training and staff development

Net expenditure on formal training and staff development, provided and coordinated by Staff Development Section, including overhead costs, was $1 669 600. This is a decrease on the previous year which may be attributable to factors such as:

• implementing a different reporting system, which reports on a different range of costs; and
• efficiencies made in the use of training and development resources.

There were 12 649 staff training days recorded in Staff Development records. This represents an average of four training days per staff member. This is an increase over the previous year.

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5f: Consultancy services

Officials entering into contracts for the engagement of consultants are required to act in accordance with the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 regulations that requires purchases to be made in accordance with best value for money principles. There are also financial limits and conditions on officials exercising their power. The designations are made via Chief Executive Authorisation. Standard contracts exist for the engagement of consultants.

The main categories of purposes for which consultants were engaged during the year include:

• research studies;
• strategic and operational advice for financial and business management purposes;
• review of existing service provision;
• assessment of Year 2000 business risks; and
• development of training material

During 1998-99, the Department engaged 12 consultants with a total amount paid of approximately $573 870. The amounts paid per category of purpose are:

Purpose	Consultancy costs paid during the year	Number of consultants
Research studies	$59 120	3
Strategic and operational advice	$209 440	6
Review of services	$5 000	1
Assessment of risks Y2K	$291 560	1
Development of training material	$8 750	1
Total	$573 870	12

Consultancy contracts let during the year, with a value in excess of $2000: see table

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