This strategy explains the approach to evaluation at the Australian Department of the Treasury. It is designed to ensure that all of its policies and programs are ‘evaluation ready’, ensuring they have clear objectives, deliver measurable benefits and contribute to its purpose. The strategy focuses on four interconnected streams of work: leadership, delivery, use and capability.

Treasury recognises that effective monitoring and evaluation is important at all stages of the policy cycle. Evaluation can provide valuable insights and evidence across policy design, delivery and implementation and Treasury recognises the importance of using a range of evaluation approaches including process, impact and economic evaluation. Treasury places a particular emphasis on the quality of impact evaluation and promotes greater use of this method where feasible.

The strategy provides structure for what, when and how the Department evaluates and prioritises efforts to translate findings into actionable recommendations. It outlines a set of strategic priorities and actions to support evaluation planning, delivery and capability in Treasury. The strategy complements Treasury’s current evidence and assurance ecosystem and operates in partnership to deliver end to end evidence and assurance support. These activities include:

• policy impact analysis
• policy research
• performance measurement and monitoring
• internal audit.

Priorities

1. Evaluation leadership and promotion
2. Fit-for-purpose evaluation delivery
3. Evaluation use and continuous learning
4. Evaluation capability and culture.