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Silver Review – Proposed cuts to the Victorian Public Service 

Earlier this year, the Victorian Government commissioned an independent review of the public service to examine how government spending and functions could be made more effective and efficient.

 

Led by Helen Silver AO, the review was tasked with identifying areas of duplication, overlap and inefficiency, with particular attention given to the size of the non-frontline public sector and options to return it closer to pre-pandemic levels.

 

In developing its recommendations, the review considered the appropriate role of government, how responsibilities are distributed across the system, and where changes could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery, including in essential services such as health, housing, education, transport and community safety.

 

In relation to education, the Silver Review focused on the structure and functions of the central public service, rather than on schools themselves. The review did not examine, recommend or propose cuts to school budgets, staffing or school-based programs. Its findings in the education portfolio were directed at system-level arrangements, including the size, roles and responsibilities of central and corporate functions, with an emphasis on reducing duplication, clarifying accountabilities and improving efficiency in non-frontline areas.

 

Importantly, the review acknowledged the critical role of frontline services and did not consider schools or school-based staff as part of the scope for reductions. Any implications for education therefore relate to central and regional capacity, not to classroom teaching or school operations.

 

The APF remains concerned, however, that any reduction in system-level capacity may result in unintended flow-on workload impacts for principals if responsibilities are shifted to schools without appropriate resources, support or safeguards.

 

While the Victorian Government has not accepted all recommendations of the Silver Review, it has stated that frontline services relied upon by families will not be reduced. Consistent with this position, recommendations that would have affected frontline services such as childcare centres, TAFEs and children’s dental care, were not accepted.