Budget development and management policy
Audience
Department-wide
Purpose
To outline the Department of Education’s (the department’s) approach to planning and managing resources efficiently and effectively.
Policy statement
The department’s budget supports the delivery of outcomes identified in the Strategic Plan and aligns with the Long-Term Financial Management Framework.
Principles
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Principle
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What this means for the department
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Accountability
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All departmental budgets are developed and managed in accordance with Queensland Treasury guidelines. Budgets are reported to Parliament through the State Budget Papers and reviewed through a series of parliamentary estimates hearings, which comprise government and opposition members.
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Equity
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The department ensures funding is managed efficiently and effectively to meet government and departmental priorities.
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Performance
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The department’s budget is monitored through monthly financial performance reporting to ensure issues are appropriately managed.
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Sustainability
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The department prioritises and manages its budget in line with funding provided by government.
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Flexibility
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The Executive Leadership Team may make decisions that require variations to budgets throughout the financial year.
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Requirements
- Budgets are only developed for authorised and permitted purposes.
- Budgets are reported, disclosed and recognised in the State Budget Papers.
- Budgets must be identified and recorded accurately in the department’s accounting systems, in a manner, which maintains an adequate audit trail and allows reporting objectives and accountability requirements to be satisfied.
- Budgets should be developed and monitored to ensure the department is managing its operations efficiently, effectively and economically and resourcing is aligned to strategic priorities.
- Business units must notify the department’s Chief Finance Officer when surplus budget is identified.
Definitions
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Term
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Definition
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Strategic Plan
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The Strategic Plan outlines the department’s vision for Queensland children and students, workplaces and communities and its people.
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Long-Term Financial Management Framework
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The Long-Term Financial Management Framework describes the department’s framework for delivering cost effective services, maximising value and planning for future resource allocation.
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State Budget Papers
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The State Budget Papers provide published budgeted financial and non-financial information for the Budget year.
- Departmental budgets are published in Budget Paper 5 – Service Delivery Statements.
- Departmental capital expenditure is outlined in Budget Paper 3 – Capital Statement.
- Departmental expense, capital and revenue measures reflecting decisions since the previous budget are outlined in Budget Paper 4 – Budget Measures.
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Parliamentary estimates hearings
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Comprised of government and non-government members, the parliamentary estimates hearings inform the general parliamentary debate on budgets. These hearings ensure accountability and transparency of the overall budget process.
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Legislation
Delegations/Authorisations
- The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) are responsible for the approval, allocation and monitoring of the department’s annual corporate operating and capital budgets.
- School principals are responsible for the approval, allocation and monitoring of school budgets.
Other resources
School budgeting
Superseded versions
Previous seven years shown. Minor version updates not included.
1.0 Budget development and management