Better Practice Guides (BPGs) aim to improve public administration by providing a mechanism whereby better practices employed in organisations are recognised and promulgated to all Australian Government entities. This can involve examining practices in the public or private sectors, in Australia or overseas. Our emphasis is to identify, assess and articulate good practice from our knowledge and understanding of the public sector as well as areas where improvements are warranted.
Depending on the subject and nature of information collected during an audit, BPGs may be produced in conjunction with an audit or prepared as a result of a perceived need to provide guidance material in a particular area of public administration.
Last updated: 12 January 2010
Please use the following search facility to find current Better Practice Guides.
To search for archived Better Practice Guides, click here.
Public Sector Internal Audit toolkit
24 September 2007
The Guide includes example forms, checklists and toolkit. Word versions of these documents are accessible by clicking 'Download this guide' to facilitate their customisation to meet individual circumstances.
Fairness and Transparency in Purchasing Decisions. Probity in Australian Government Procurement
27 August 2007
This Better Practice Guide (BPG) provides guidance about the important role that probity plays in public sector procurement. The probity guidance in this BPG applies to agencies subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) and relevant bodies subject to the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC) Act). While the legal and compliance obligations of FMA Act agencies and CAC Act bodies can differ during procurement, the ANAO considers that the adoption of the probity measures contained in this BPG, where cost effective, will enhance fairness and transparency in purchasing decisions.
In preparing this BPG, the ANAO has built on the guidance provided by the Department of Finance and Administration in its Financial Management Guidance series of publications, including the principles underpinning probity identified in the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines.
Administering Regulation
20 March 2007
This Better Practice Guide provides a framework to assist Australian Government regulators in assessing the quality of their administrative practices and identifying improvements that can, and should, be made. Examples of how regulators are currently employing better regulatory practice are provided throughout the Guide. In writing the Guide, we recognised that regulators come in all shapes and sizes. They regulate very different types of entities operating in very different industries and sectors of the economy. Consequently, there is no one-size-fits-all model for administering regulation. The Guide, therefore, focuses on better practice principles and characteristics that are relevant to the design and management of administrative operations for all regulators, irrespective of their size, organisational structure or regulatory objectives.
Developing and Managing Contracts
02 February 2007
Better Practice Guide
This Guide updates and replaces the Guide issued by the ANAO in 2001 and has been produced in partnership with the Department of Finance and Administration. Recognising that contracts vary considerably in value, duration and complexity, the Guide is intended to be a general reference document for senior managers, contract managers and stakeholders who are involved in the development and management of contracts in the public sector. The guide includes a discussion on developing a contract, commencing from the point where a decision is made on the engagement of a contractor as a result of a tender or other procurement process. The broader focus of this Guide, recognises that the foundations for the effective management of a contract are laid at the time the contract is being developed. The Guide includes checklists, examples and proforma that can be used and tailored to meet individual circumstances.
Developing and Managing Contracts Templates and Checklists
02 February 2007
The Guide includes a number of example documents and checklists. Word versions of these documents are accessible by clicking 'Download this guide' to facilitate their customisation to meet individual circumstances.
The documents will be downloaded in a Zip file format.
Implementation of Programme and Policy Initiatives
16 October 2006
The Australian National Audit Office and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet have jointly prepared this Better Practice Guide. It is intended for public sector chief executives and senior officers responsible for overseeing the implementation of an initiative(s). The focus is on overarching principles for effective implementation, drawing on the experience of agencies to date, as well as lessons from overseas. The aim is to assist senior executives obtain assurance that appropriate approaches and methodologies are being followed.
Implementation of Programme and Policy Initiatives Pocket Guide
16 October 2006
The Australian National Audit Office and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet have jointly prepared this Better Practice Pocket Guide.
Legal Services Arrangements in Australian Government Agencies
10 August 2006
Preparation of this Better Practice Guide was prompted by the ANAO’s 2004-05 audit report on legal services arrangements, which identified the need to manage legal services in order to get the best value from them. This guide aims to help agencies adopt better practice in managing their legal service arrangements, including arrangements for planning and reviewing those services.
Administration of Fringe Benefit Tax
10 February 2006
This Guide outlines a number of better practices for the Administration of FBT and provides practical guidance on managing a range of benefits commonly provided by Australian Government entities. This guide has not been prepared as a technical reference on FBT. As such, it is important that it is used in conjunction with, not as a substitute for, FBT legislation and Tax Office guidance
User-Friendly Forms, Key Principles and Practices to Effectively Design and Communicate Australian Government Forms
22 January 2006
This guide aims to increase the useabiltity and effectiveness of forms provided by Australian Government agencies to individuals.
