Embedding wellbeing in government decision making
The ACT Government is using the Wellbeing Framework and the information it provides to inform Government priorities, policies and investment decisions – including through Budget and Cabinet processes.
The events of the past 18 months are evidence of the need to consider the broad impacts that arise from disruptive events. Wellbeing is about looking beyond the average to see and respond to those impacts that, unless explicitly considered, can be hidden from view.
The Framework’s focus on outcomes across the range of domains will encourage greater consideration of the linkages that contribute to overall wellbeing outcomes. This focus will lead to improved whole-of-government consideration of issues, including across Directorates and agencies when considering policy and service delivery proposals.
Wellbeing impact assessments
The Wellbeing Impact Assessment (WIA) is a tool that has been created to help the ACT Government plan for and make decisions based on a fuller understanding of the impacts of proposals (including both benefits and trade-offs) on wellbeing in the ACT.
WIAs are being rolled out in Cabinet and Budget processes from 2021-22, with information sessions and training to help the public service analyse and consider wellbeing impacts as policies and decisions are being made. Bringing a wellbeing focus to our Budget and Cabinet processes, including through incorporating Wellbeing Impact Assessments, ensures that our decision-making explicitly considers those factors that most influence our quality of life.
We are encouraging use of the WIA at early stages of policy, program and project development to help think about how this work may impact on one or more areas of wellbeing – and who within the community may be impacted.
We recognise that bringing a wellbeing approach to the way we think will take time – to better evaluate wellbeing outcomes, build a strong evidence base of what works for wellbeing, shape our investments around priority areas of need identified in conjunction with the community, and create a shared language across government and community in how we approach these issues.
We look forward to working with our community partners in developing future budgets, projects and programs that increasingly evolve to consider these less visible wellbeing impacts.
