Transparency and Accountability

This page contains information relating to the administration of the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General, including copies of policies relating to accountability and transparency.

Annual Child Safety Statement 2024

Read the Office's Annual Child Safety Statement.

Employment Conditions


Staff at the Office are engaged under the section 13 of the Governor-General Act 1974 with their employment conditions set out in the OOSGG Enterprise Agreement 2015-2018. The Office also has a current Determination in place, the OOSGG Determination (No.2) 2021, with the Office’s current Pay Rates effective 13 January 2024 found here.

On 2 June 2023, the Fair Work Commission made the Annual Wage Review 2022-23 Decision to increase the National Minimum Wage by 5.75 per cent. From 1 July 2023, any employee engaged under the Governor-General Act 1974 will be paid in accordance with the Award minimum as opposed to the minimum under the OOSGG Determination (No.2) 2021.

Executive Remuneration

For 2016-17 and 2017-18, the Office published information about the remuneration of its senior executives and other highly paid staff. This information, was published in accordance with guidelines of the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, provides transparency of remuneration of senior executives and other highly paid officials of Commonwealth entities and companies. From 2018-19, the same information is included in the Office's Annual Report.

Senate File List

In accordance with the Senate tabling requirements for Commonwealth departments and agencies (under Senate Continuing Order no. 12), the lists of new files created by the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General can be found here:

Senate Order on Government Agency Contracts

Pursuant to the Senate Order for Entity Contracts, information on contracts entered into by the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General, which provide for a consideration to the value of $100,000 or more and which (a) have not been fully performed as at the end of the reporting period (30/06/2024) and/or (b) which have been entered into during the 12 month reporting period (01/07/2023 – 30/06/2024)  are available on the Austender website. The amounts show the total amount expected to be spent over the life of the entire contract unless otherwise indicated.

The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General does not have any grants, sale of goods/services, disposals and other financial arrangements that are within the Senate Order threshold as stated above.

Some of the contracts listed may contain confidentiality provisions of a general nature that are designed to protect the confidential information of the parties that may be obtained or generated in carrying out the contract.

The reasons for including such clauses include:

  • ordinary commercial prudence that requires protection of trade secrets, propriety information and the like; and/or
  • protection of other Commonwealth material and personal information.

The accountable authority of the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General has assured that the listed contracts do not contain any inappropriate confidentiality provisions.

CDDA Scheme

Read about the Office's Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA Scheme).

Commonwealth Purchase Order and Contract Terms

The Office's Purchase Order and Contract Terms are available on the Department of Finance's Commonwealth Contracting Suite (CCS) webpage).

Procurement Complaints

To make a complaint about a procurement process that is non-compliant with the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018, please refer to the Procurement Complaint Handling Policy, and complete the Procurement Complaint Form.  

Any current Public Interest Certificates currently in force will be linked here: (none).

Gifts and Benefits Policy

The Office's Gifts and Benefits Policy establishes internal control processes to ensure that gifts and received are properly recorded and also sets out the appropriate handling and management of such gifts.  It applies to the Governor-General and/or Spouse, the Official Secretary and Office staff with respect to gifts and benefits received in the course of their official duties.  The Gifts and Benefits Register is published quarterly on the Disclosure Log.

AI Transparency Statement

The Digital Transformation Agency's Policy for the responsible use of AI in government took effect on 1 September 2024, introducing mandatory requirements for non-corporate Commonwealth entities (NCEs) to implement transparency statements which outline the agency's approach to the adoption of AI.

As part of these requirements, the Office has appointed an Accountable Official for AI:  Deputy Official Secretary, Jeff Barnes.  

The Office is currently updating its policies relating to the use of AI to meet the standard for AI Transparency Statements as set out in the DTA policy.  Once this has been completed, the Transparency Statement will be published here.

For further information, or to enquire about the Office's adoption of artificial intelligence, you can contact us via the Contact page.

Heritage Strategy

The Office's Heritage Strategy is currently being updated.

Reconciliation Action Plan

The Office's Reconciliation Action Plan is currently being updated.