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Workplace Ombudsman Section 1 - Agency overview and resources - variations and measures

Overview

The Workplace Relations Amendment (A Stronger Safety Net) Act 2007 that received royal assent on 28 June 2007 strengthened the independence and resources of the organisation and enhanced its capacity to assist employers, employees and their representatives.  The statutory agency of the Office of the Workplace Ombudsman was created, which subsumed the functions of the former Office of Workplace Services.  There have been no changes to the Workplace Ombudsman’s outcomes and outputs since the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

Table 1.1:  Agency outcomes and output groups
Outcome Description Output groups
Outcome 1    
The rights and obligations of workers and employers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 are understood and enforced fairly Provide advice and assistance to employers, workers and  organisations about compliance and enforcement under the Act Output Group 1.1
Education and compliance services

Additional estimates and variations to outcomes

The Workplace Ombudsman has the following additional estimates variations:

Departmental Outputs

The departmental output appropriation for 2007-08 has been increased by
 $8.8 million (including section 32 transfers) to $69.7 million.  The increased appropriation is a result of:

  • An increase of $15.0 million for the new measure – Workplace Relations Reform – establishment of the Workplace Ombudsman;
  • A decrease of $7.2 million relating to the transfer of funds to the former Department of Employment and Workplace Relations for the measure – Workplace Relations Reform – communications campaign;
  • An increase of $1.2 million associated with the transfer of compliance activities previously undertaken by the former Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; and
  • A decrease of $0.2 million representing the application of the one-off 2 per cent efficiency dividend to the agency’s funding appropriation.

Departmental Equity Injections

An additional departmental equity injection of $4.0 million has been provided for leasehold improvements associated with establishing the Office of the Workplace Ombudsman.

Table 1.2:  Additional estimates and variations to outcomes – measures
  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
  $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Outcome 1        
Increase in estimates (departmental)        
Workplace Relations Reform - establishment of the   15,006   15,871   16,025   16,264
Office of the Workplace Ombudsman        
A Fairer and Flexible Workplace Relations System   -   5,800   11,900   (1,000)
Total increase in estimate (departmental)   15,006   21,671   27,925   15,264
         
Decrease in estimates (departmental)        
Workplace Relations Reform - communications campaign   (7,200)   (3,000)   (3,000)   -
Election commitment savings: 2 per cent Efficiency Dividend   (247)   (975)   (765)   (726)
Total decrease in estimate (departmental)   (7,447)   (3,975)   (3,765)   (726)
         
Total variation of appropriation for outcome 1   7,559   17,696   24,160   14,538
Table 1.3:  Additional estimates and variations to outcomes – other variations
  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
  $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Outcome 1        
Variations (departmental)        
Transfer of appropriation for compliance activities   1,219   1,246   1,261   1,278
from the former Department of Employment and        
Workplace Relations        
         
Total variation of appropriation for outcome 1   1,219   1,246   1,261   1,278

Measures — Agency summary

Table 1.4:  Summary of measures since the 2007‑08 Budget
Measure Title Outcome Output
    groups
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
    affected
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
      Admin Dept   Admin Dept   Admin Dept   Admin Dept  
      items outputs Total items outputs Total items outputs Total items outputs Total
Expense Measures                            
Workplace Relations Reform - establishment of the Office of the Workplace Ombudsman 1 1.1   -   15,006   15,006   -   15,871   15,871   -   16,025   16,025   -   16,264   16,264
                             
Workplace Relations Reform - a fairer and flexible workplace relations system 1 1.1   -   -   -   -   5,800   5,800   -   11,900   11,900   -   (1,000)   (1,000)
                             
Application of the one-off 2 percent efficiency dividend 1 1.1   -   (247)   (247)   -   (975)   (975)   -   (765)   (765)   -   (726)   (726)
                             
Workplace Relations Reform - communications campaign 1 1.1   -   (7,200)   (7,200)   -   (3,000)   (3,000)   -   (3,000)   (3,000)   -   -   -
Total Expense Measures       -   7,559   7,559   - 17,696 17,696   - 24,160 24,160   - 14,538 14,538
                             
Capital Measures                            
Workplace Relations Reform - establishment of the Office of the Workplace Ombudsman 1 1.1   -   3,950   3,950   -   350   350   -   90   90   -   60   60
Total Capital Measures       -   3,950   3,950   -   350   350   -   90   90   -   60   60
Total of All Measures       -  11,509 11,509   - 18,046 18,046   - 24,250 24,250   - 14,598 14,598

Breakdown of additional estimates by appropriation bill

Table 1.5:  Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2007‑08
  2006-07 2007-08 2007-08 Additional  Reduced
  available budget revised estimates estimates
  $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
DEPARTMENTAL OUTPUTS          
Outcome 1          
The rights and obligations of workers and employers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 are understood and enforced fairly   13,257   60,909   68,468   7,559   -
           
Total   13,257   60,909   68,468   7,559   -
           
Total departmental   13,257   60,909   68,468   7,559   -
           
Note 1: 2006-07 available appropriation is included to allow a comparison of this year's appropriation with what was made available for use in the previous year. 
Available appropriation is the amount available to be drawn down, and is equal to:
Budget Appropriation + Additional Estimates Appropriation + DIAB + AFM - Savings - Rephasings - Other Reductions +/- Section 32 transfers.

Note 2: No appropriation is provided in Appropriation Bill 3 for the agency where the total funding change across outcomes for departmental outputs is negative (where the amount shown in the 'Reduced estimates' column is greater than the amount in the 'Additional estimates' column).

Note 3: Additional estimates do not include the transfer of funds from the former Department of Employment and Workplace Relations ($1.219 million).
Table 1.6:  Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2007‑08
  2006-07 2007-08 2007-08 Additional  Reduced
  available budget revised estimates estimates
  $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Non-operating          
Equity injection   9,442   167   4,117   3,950   -
           
Total   9,442   167   4,117   3,950   -
           
Note 1: 2006-07 available appropriation is included to allow a comparison of this year's appropriation with what was made available for use in the previous year. 
Available appropriation is the amount available to be drawn down, and is equal to:
Budget Appropriation + Additional Estimates Appropriation + DIAB + AFM - Savings - Rephasings - Other Reductions +/- Section 32 transfers.

Summary of staffing changes

Table 1.7:  Average Staffing Level (ASL)
  2007-08 2007-08  
  Budget Revised Variation
Outcome 1      
The rights and obligations of workers and employers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 are understood and enforced fairly   293   362   69
       
Total   293   362   69

Other resources available to be used

There have been no changes to the Workplace Ombudsman’s other resources available to be used since the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

Estimates of expenses from special appropriations

The Workplace Ombudsman has no Special Appropriations in the 2007-08 financial year.

Estimates of Special account flows

Table 1.8:  Estimates of special account flows
  Opening Receipts Payments Adjustments Closing
  Balance       Balance
  2007-08 2007-08 2007-08 2007-08 2007-08
  2006-07 2006-07 2006-07 2006-07 2006-07
  $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Other Trust Monies - Financial   325   350   200   -   475
Management and Accountability Act 1997 s.20 (Unclaimed Wages)   -   349   24   -   325
           
Total special accounts   325   350   200   -   475
    -   349   24   -   325
For more information contact c=AU;o=Commonwealth of Australia; ou=Department of Employment and Workplace Relations;ou=Web
Page last modified 26 February 2008