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 recent years 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 encourages greater consideration of the linkages that contribute to overall wellbeing. This focus leads to improved whole-of-government consideration of issues, including across directorates and agencies when considering policy and service delivery proposals. This linkage work will has increased over time as our data capture increases – including through partnership work with the University of Canberra and the Australian National University.
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 a requirement for Cabinet Submissions and Budget proposals. Information sessions and training are provided 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 with WIAs, ensures that our decision-making explicitly considers those factors that most influence our quality of life.
We are encouraging use of the WIAs at early stages of policy, program and project development to help the public service 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 is building over time - to better evaluate 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.
