The emphasis of performance measurement is on the development of outcome measures. Service quality measures are used and are emphasized in relation to service quality initiatives. Government departments and agencies are required to issue financial reports on an accrual basis. Financial reports should focus on the net cost of providing services. Performance information is generally publicly available, through a range of reporting mechanisms.
Annual reports are now the key performance reporting document.
Various reporting mechanisms have been used to inform the budget process, but annual reports are now most important. The service delivery performance of different providers at the state level has been published in a major comparative benchmarking publication. There is no central initiative, but a considerable amount of work on establishing service standards has been carried out. The government has recently initiated work to develop, in co-operation with consumers, Government Service Charters. Client consultation mechanisms are used, including customer surveys.