On Board - Governance guidance

Support modules

On Board support modules are a 'one-stop shop' for information and resources on key governance topics. They include model policies and templates, guidance notes and governance guides and direct links to the topic on other websites for example Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC).

Model policies

Your board should have policies in place that are consistent with DEECA's model policies. This will assist your agency to meet its governance obligations.

Guidance notes

Are an overview of a key governance topic or information on a particular aspect of it.

Induction

New board members should be provided with certain information in their induction program and kit.

Note that small (category 3) committees of management of Crown land reserves only need to use the Committees of management support module.

Leading the Way: Occupational Health and Safety

Leading the Way is a whole of Victorian Government initiative to improve health and safety in the public sector. The initiative involves:

• Victorian Government departments
• public sector organisation
• public-sector unions

It has a vision of creating a Victorian Public Sector workforce that is:

• mentally and physically safe
• able to meet the needs of the community.

DEECA has been working to lead the implementation of a suite of initiatives that aligns with the requirements of Leading the Way.

We have begun reaching out to our portfolio agencies and providing help to enable them to roll out the Leading the Way initiatives to their staff.

Need more information?

Find out more about the initiative on the Victorian Public Sector Commission website.

Email safety.feedback@delwp.vic.gov.au for more details.

Codes of conduct

The Code of Conduct for Directors of Victorian Public Entities (Directors’ Code of Conduct), which is issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC):

• applies to board members of DEECA agencies
• is incorporated into DEECA's model policy on Code of Conduct

There is also a Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which applies to employees of DEECA agencies.

Governance guides

In addition to the guidance notes and other resources in the support modules, this includes the DEECA and the VPSC publish governance guides.

DEECA guide to good governance – board members

Please review resources for board operations

DEECA guide to annual reporting - public bodies

A guide for those DEECA agencies with annual reporting obligations under the Financial Management Act. Updated each year.

Committees of management responsibilities and good practice guidelines

The guidelines are key reading for small (category 3) committees of management of crown land reserves. Published by DEECA.

Guide to governing in the water sector

The Water governance guide (PDF, 6.3 MB) provides an overview of the governance framework for the Victorian water sector at a point in time (March 2023). This guide is both an induction tool for newcomers and an update for existing directors. It also gives an introduction to the ministers, government departments and agencies that play a role in the oversight of the sector.

Water governance guide (accessible version) (DOCX, 441.2 KB)

The guide will benefit boards, directors and senior officers of water corporations, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, and catchment management authorities.

Victorian Public Sector Commission

As part of its role in promoting good governance in the public sector, the Victorian Public Sector Commission publishes codes and guidance. DEECA support modules have direct links to the relevant topic.

Victorian Public Sector Commissioner - Resources to support Victorian public sector board directors, chairs and entities.

Establishing Portfolio Governance Guide

The Victorian Public Sector Commission’s Establishing Portfolio Governance Guide provides departments and portfolio entities with advice on how to work well together. It details guidance on how to:

• understand their roles
• evaluate and improve their relationships with each other
• agree on their roles and responsibilities
• talk about the needs of each public entity
• set up clear ways to communicate with each other.

The governance resource suite also covers important topics such as:

• scenarios for establishing portfolio governance
• dos and don’ts lists for public entity portfolio governance
• dos and don’ts lists for department portfolio governance
• the importance of keeping ministers informed
• monitoring performance and compliance.

Watchdog agencies

These agencies promote a high standard of public sector governance as part of their role watchdog role.

• Victorian Ombudsman
• Office of the Victorian Information Commission
• Victorian Auditor-General
• Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC)
• For further information, see the Integrity complaints support module.

Suggestions and feedback

Please email your suggestions for additional support modules and resources (e.g. model policies and guidance notes) and your feedback on how to improve existing resources to governance@delwp.vic.gov.au.