Australia
Australia was a pioneer in the development of PPPs in the late 1980s, pioneering the new generation of private tollroads, and breaking new ground in hospital and prisons management, case-mix funding in the hospitals sector, and the contracting of the nation's job network. In the late 1990s, it was no longer a centre of innovation, and only recently have the Australian state governments - which have the primary responsibility for public service delivery - begun to seriously explore private provision once again.
(Please note: links on this page will open the page in a new browser window)
Federal Government
A Survey of Alternative Financing Mechanisms for Public-Private Partnerships: A research report (PDF) Regan, Michael Prof., 2009
A review of empirical evidence compares approaches to procurement in Australia. It finds that PPPs deliver better value-for-money outcomes on large and complex infrastructure services.
AustraliaPrivatisation of Prisons Update Gareth Griffith and Tom Edwards, 2009 NSW Parliamentary Library Research Service
This 'e-brief' updates the analysis offered by Lenny Roth in 'Privatisation of Prisons'. That paper presented a detailed account of the history and operation of private prisons, outlined the arguments for and against prison privatisation, and assessed the issue of accountability. This paper updates the context within which the prison reform debate in New South Wales is taking place, including state government plans to for wide-ranging prison reform in NSW and the response to these as well as recent research developments elsewhere in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
What Impact Will Current Capital Market Conditions Have On Public Private Partnerships? A research report (PDF) Regan, Michael Prof., 2008 Infrastructure Association of Queensland (IQA)/Bond University
This study examines present and future use of PPPs in Queensland, Australia given prevailing financial conditions. In particular it asks whether volatility in capital markets affects the PPP procurement method.
AustraliaThe Performance of PPP Projects in Australia when Compared with a Representative Sample of Traditionally Procured Infrastructure Projects (PDF) Duffield, Colin, 2008 University of Melbourne
A report commissioned by the National PPP Forum as part of its study benchmarking PPPs against traditionally procured infrastructure on time and cost performance indicators.
AustraliaEstimation Bias in Public Infrastructure Projects (PDF) Fitzgerald, John, 2008 Masters Thesis in Public Infrastructure
A comparative analysis of approaches to risk allocation in Australian PPPs and traditional procurements. It draws on emerging data from a national benchmarking study of major projects which was set up in 2006.
AustraliaPerformance of Public Private Partnerships and Traditional Procurement in Australia (PDF) The Allen Consulting Group, 2007 The Allen Consulting Group/Infrastructure Partnerships Australia
This report compares cost and delivery of public projects under a public-private partnership model with traditional (i.e. government) procurement models. PPPs are found to be the best route to deliver large, complex and expensive projects, offering substantial savings in both time and cost, and being less susceptible to optimism bias.
AustraliaWater That Works: Sustainable Water Management in the Commercial Sector Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), 2007 CEDA/Serco
This report was published in partnership by CEDA and Serco, and addresses the future of water management in Australia amidst a consensus that the need for innovative, sustainable water practices is increasingly urgent. It outlines the current policy context followed by case studies demonstrating practical examples of the challenges faced and overcome by the commercial sector.
[A chapter from this report, 'Will Water Float: Competition and Private Provision in Urban Water Supply' was written by the Institute and can be downloaded from the Reports page on the Institute Publications section of the Rescource Centre.]
ISBN 0-85801-268-5 AustraliaAustralia's National Infrastructure: Report of the Australian Labor Party Inquiry into the Financing and Provision of Australian Infrastructure (PDF) Australian Labor Party, 2007
A report on national co-ordination and investment in infrastructure which includes recommendations regarding PFI's and PPP's for a Federal Labor Government to address. These stress principles of accountability, transparency and value for money.
AustraliaDeveloping and Managing Contracts (PDF) Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). Best Practice Guide, 2007
ANAO's best Practice Guide updating and substitutinh the "Contract Management" Guide published in 2001. The document provides an overall guide through the different stages of contracting while highlighting the importance of minding key factors through the process such as: managing risk, relationships, resources, specifiying responsibilities, ethical behaviour and record keeping.
AustraliaAustralian PPP Survey Ernst & Young, 2005
Issues Facing the Australian PPP Market
AustraliaThe Use of Contestability and Flexibility in the Delivery of Welfare Services in Australia and the Netherlands - Report on Study Visits Undertaken by the United Kingdom's Department for Work and Pensions (PDF) (Eds) Morrell, Helen (DWP) and Branosky, Natalie, 2005 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Research Report No. 288
A report on research carried out by DWP and the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion as part of the its public service reform strategy. It followed visits to two countries which have moved to the full establisment of a contestable market model in employment and welfare services.
ISBN: 1 84123 894 5 UKFunding Urban Public Infrastructure - Approaches Compared (PDF) The Allen Consulting Group, 2003
A report for the Property Council of Australia that analyzes the challenge of funding infrastructure projects at the state and local level. A case is made for considering PPPs and PFPs as one of the viable solutions although some modifications are necessary in order to make this approach feasible.
AustraliaPrivatisation: A Review of the Australian Experience (PDF) Mead, M; Withers, G (Eds), 2002 Committee for Economic Development of Australia
An overall review of the different views concerning the privatisation process in Australia, focussing on the general agreements on the issue. The provided hyperlink directs to the executive summary of the publication, the full work is available for purchase at CEDA's web page.
AustraliaWhat Gets Measured: Contract Performance on the Voyage to Botany Bay (Web Page) Sturgess, Gary L., 2005 Australian Chief Executive August 2005, p.12, CEDA (Committee For Economic Development of Australia)
An article which examines the importance of evaluation criteria and performance montoring on contracted out public service delivery.
AustraliaThe Use of Confidentiality Provisions in Commonwealth Contracts (PDF) Australian National Audit Office. Report No. 38, 2000-01 , 2001
ANAO report on the use of confidentiality provision in contracts. Overall the report finds that governmental agencies deal weakly with such considerations due to the lack of a consolidated government wise guidance on the matter.
AustraliaManagement of Contracted Business Support Processes (PDF) Audit Report No.12, 1999 Australian National Audit Office
A report that analyzes the effectiveness of the management of contracted business support processes in selected organisations with the objective of identifying and promoting better practices in related contract management.
Australia
Is There a Future for Contracting in the Australian Public Sector?
Davis, Glyn; Wood, Terry, 1998
Blackwell Publishers. Australian Journal of Public Administration 57 (4): 85-97
Selecting Suppliers: Managing the Risk (PDF) Australian National Audit Office, 1998 Best Practise Guidlines on assessing some of the financial and probity risks associated with contracting. Australia
Queensland
List of Resources:
Public Private Partnerships Guidance material: Overview (PDF)
Queensland Government State Development, 2002
Public Private Partnerships Guidance material: Policy (PDF) Queensland Government State Development, 2002 Queensland's policy statement in which the importance of PPP projects in the development of infrastructure is stressed as well as the necessity of providing the public sector agencies with adequate guidance that allows the to extract the maximum value from such partnerships. Australia
Public Private Partnerships Guidance Material: Value for Money Framework: Stages (PDF)
Queensland Government State Development, 2002
Public Private Partnerships Guidance Material: Value for Money Framework (stages 3 to 6) (Word)
Queensland Government State Development, 2002
Public Private Partnerships Guidance Material, Supporting Documents: Risk Management (PDF) Queensland Government State Development, 2002 A guideline introducing the importance of risk in the construction and management of PPP projects, providing information useful for identifying potential risk as well as negotiation its allocation. Australia
Public Private Partnerships Guidance Material, Supporting Documents: Probity and Process Governance (Word)
Queensland Government State Development, 2002
Public Private Partnerships Guidance Material, Supporting Documents: Project Resourcing (PDF)
Queensland Government State Development, 2002
Document designed to assist governmental agencies in the processes of assembling resources, procuring specialized advisors, and developing project structure in PPP projects.
Public Private Partnerships Guidance Material, Supporting Documents: Business Case Development Queensland Government State Development, 2002 This PPP guideline provides information regarding the necessary elements required for constructing an effective and defensible Business Case. Australia
Public Private Partnerships Guidance Material, Supporting Documents: Contract Development and Management (PDF)
Queensland Government State Development, 2002
A document underlining the adequate contractual mechanisms necessary in undertaking a PPP project, furthermore the document also addresses the importance of the management stage of the project.
New South Wales
List of Resources:
Working With Government: Risk Allocation and Commercial Principles (PDF) New South Wales Government, 2007 A discussion document which outlines the NSW Government's preferred risk allocation for Privately Financed Projects for application to social infrastructure projects such as schools and hospitals. Australia
Working With Government: Guidelines for Privately Financed Projects (PDF) New South Wales Government, 2006 A framework for Public and Private sectors to work together to improve public services through the application of competition and appropriate risk transfer management. This edition updates the 2001 guidelines listed below. Australia
Inquiry into Public Private Partnerships (PDF)
NSW Public Accounts Committee. Report no. 16/53 (159), 2006
NSW Parliament
Auditor-General's Report: Performance Audit:The New Schools Privately Financed Project (PDF) Sendt, R.J., 2006 New South Wales. Audit Office A report that looks into the issue of whether or not the process of awarding contracts for privately financed schools projects produces value for money. Overall the report suggests that such initiatives have potential benefits and recommends the further use of Privately Financed Projects for other ventures. Australia
Value for Money from NSW Correctional Centres (PDF) Public Accounts Committee , 2005 Legislative Assembly of New South Wales The Public Accounts Committee compared the performance of two public correctional centres - Kempsey and Dillwynia - established under the threat of exposure to market-testing, with two broadly comparable public prisons managed under the traditional model, for the year 2004-05. One of its recommendations was that at least one private prison should be maintained in the state for benchmarking purposes and to encourage innovative management techniques. Australia
Private Provision of Public Infrastructure and Services (PDF)
Office of Financial Management Research & Information Paper, 2002
New South Wales Treasury
Working with Government: Guidelines for Privately Financed Projects New South Wales Government, 2001 Australia
Contracting of Services in the NSW Public Sector: 1995 Survey Findings CTC Research Team, Graduate School of Business, University of Sydney, 1996 New South Wales Treasury NSW Treasury Research and Information Paper, TRP 96-1 Australia
Infrastructure Management and Financing in New South Wales NSW Public Accounts Committee, 1994 Report No. 80, Parliament of New South Wales, Sydney Australia
Competitive Tendering and Contracting in the NSW Government Public Sector: The 1994 Survey Findings Farago, S.; Domberger, S.; Li, E and Hall, C , 1994 Graduate School of Business, University of Sydney Australia
Competitive Tendering and Contracting in NSW Government Trading Enterprises: A Survey Farago, S. and Domberger, S., 1994 Graduate School of Business, University of Sydney Working Paper 02-94 Australia
Competitive Tendering and Contracting in the NSW Budget Sector: The 1993 Survey Findings Domberger, S.;Farago, S; Li, E and Hall, C., 1993 Graduate School of Business, University of Sydney Australia
Victoria
List of Resources:
In Pursuit of Additional Value: A benchmarking study into alliancing in the Australian public sector (PDF) Department of Treasury and Finance, 2010 State of Victoria This study examines how value for money can be enhanced when using the 'alliance delivery method' for governments' major physical infrastructure projects. It makes a number of detailed observations and policy recommendations. Australia
Public Sector Comparator: Supplementary Technical Note (Web Page) Partnerships Victoria, 2003 Department of Treasury and Finance A document detailing the information necessary for assisting public managers to construct a Public Sector Comparator, a tool that would help the agency determine whether or not value for money is obtained by choosing the private sector over the public for a specific project. The note contains a detailed example from which most of its recommendations are drawn from. Australia
Gateway Review Process: Background and Guidelines (Word)
Partnerships Victoria, 2003
Department of Treasury and Finance
Use of Discount Rates in the Partnerships Victoria Process: Technical Note (Web Page) Partnerships Victoria, 2003 Department of Treasury and Finance A technical note providing guidance on calculating and using discount rates in undertaking discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for: constructing public sector comparators and evaluating bids. Australia
Partnerships Victoria Guidance Material: Contract Management Guide (PDF)
Partnerships Victoria, 2003
Department of Treasury and Finance
Partnerships Victoria Guidance Material: Overview (PDF)
Partnerships Victoria, 2001
Department of Treasury and Finance
Partnerships Victoria Guidance Material: Practitioner's Guide (PDF)
Partnerships Victoria, 2001
Department of Treasury and Finance
A document for public sector managers and departments providing detail guidance of how to implement PPP projects, the guide covers the steps of identifying the project up though to contract management issues.
Partnerships Victoria Guidance Material: Risk Allocation and Contractual Issues (Web Page)
Partnerships Victoria, 2001
Department of Treasury and Finance
Victoria's PPP policy (PDF) Partnerships Victoria, 2000 Department of Treasury and Finance Victoria's Government Initiative for fostering the development of public-private partnership with the objective of incrementing the provision of infrastructure and ancillary services. Australia
Western Australia
List of Resources:
Maintaining the State Road Network (PDF) Western Australian Auditor General, 2009 Office of the Auditor General
This report looks back on ten years of contracting road maintenance in WA. The expected results of this unprecedented step have not been realised. This report explains why: major capital projects are complex, demanding focus in the long term. It provides a series of lessons for the next round of contracts.
AustraliaThematic Review of Custodial transport Services In Western Australia (PDF) Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, 2007 A report with recommendations on the delivery of transport services which includes an examination of the performance of both public and private providers. The report also includes contract management of Court Security, Court custody and police custody functions in the private sector. ISSN 1445-3134 Australia
The Australian Budgeting System: On the Cusp of Change
Robinson, Marc, 2003
Queensland University of Technology
Partnerships for Growth (PDF) Department of Treasury and Finance Government of Western Australia, 2002 Policies and Guidelines for Public Private Partnerships in Western Australia ISBN 0 7307 4507 4 Australia
Lease Now - Pay Later? The Leasing of Office and Other Equipment (PDF)
Auditor General, Western Australia, 1999
Contracting of Services in the Western Australian Public Sector: The 1995 Survey Findings Domberger, S.; Hall, C. and Skinner, V., 1995 Graduate School of Business, University of Sydney Australia
Contracting of Services in the Western Australian Public Sector Farago, S.; Hall, C. and Domberger, S., 1994 Graduate School of Business, University of Sydney Australia
South Australia
List of Resources:
Private Sector Participation in the Provision of Public Services : Guidelines for the Private Sector (PDF)
Partnerships SA, 2002
Department of Treasury and Finance Public - Private Partnerships Unit
Local Government
List of Resources:
Cultural Change: Competitive Tendering and Contracting in Local Government Jensen, Paul and Fernandez, Patrick with Hall, Christine, 1995 The Contracting Casebook: Competitive Tendering in Action, Simon Domberger and Christine Hall (eds), Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1995, Chapter 8 Case studies of three Australian councils which described the impact of competitive tendering on local services in Clare, Manly and Mosman. Australia
Aspects of Competitive Tendering and Contracting in Local Government Administration
Rimmer, Stephen , 1993
PhD Thesis, University of New England, New South Wales
Bureau-Shaping and Contracting Out: The Case of Australian Local Government Albin, S., 1992 Public Policy Program Discussion Paper No.29, Australian National University, Canberra Various Services from 58 local governments. Australia
Breach of Contract: Privatisation and the Management of Australian Local Government
Evatt Research Centre, 1990
Pluto Press
Contracting Out in Australian Local Government Rimmer, S., 1988 University of Sydney Competitive Tendering and Contracting Out: Towards a Policy Agenda, Graduate School of Management and Public Policy. Australia