The Department of Education & Training (DET) is responsible for providing an effective, efficient and accessible birth-to-adulthood learning and development system that supports students and service providers across Victoria. Its 10-year goal is to become a world leader in learning and development.

DET is also responsible for providing policy advice to ministers, implementing policy on early childhood, school education, and training and higher education services, and managing and driving continuous improvement in the delivery of primary and secondary education in government schools. In 2014–15 it managed a budget of around $12 065.6 million, and owned or operated 1 528 government schools (at February 2015). It also provided around $600 million to independent schools.

Given the significance of its role and the amount of taxpayer funds involved, DET needs to plan effectively to perform its roles and achieve its desired outcomes. Effective planning requires a sound understanding of performance across the education sector, the evidence base to inform decisions and effective implementation of plans. Having these things in place should enable DET to:

• identify the outputs and resources that will contribute to the efficient, economical and timely achievement of government objectives

• take advantage of opportunities and meet internal and external challenges

• set policies and priorities

• monitor, report on and assess performance outcomes

• provide assurance and be accountable to the public.