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Governance of the Digital Restart Fund

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government

The Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government is ultimately responsible for approving projects for funding from the Digital Restart Fund and the release of the funds.

The Minister approves projects for funding that promote the purpose of the fund on the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Customer Service. Before approving the payment of money, the Minister must have regard to advice from the Information and Privacy Commissioner and can have regard to any other recommendations or information that is considered relevant.

Expenditure Review Committee

ERC approved the establishment of the Digital Restart Fund. It approves funding for 'scale- funded' projects and reviews the performance of the fund annually.

Sponsors and Projects submit business cases for review by the Digital Transformation Board (who endorse projects >$5m) for consideration by the ERC.

Digital Transformation Board

The Digital Transformation Board was approved under the Digital and ICT Investment Strategy by the ERC in April 2022. The Board comprises of cross government representatives.

The DRF Steering Committee is transitioning to the Digital Transformation Board in August 2022. A key function of the Board will be to endorse funding for seed projects up to $5 million.

More information about membership and the role of the Digital Transformation Board will be published here shortly.

Digital Restart Fund Working Group (Includes representatives from the Department of Customer Service, Treasury and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.)

The working group:

  • Recommends projects for the pipeline and helps prioritise investments.
  • Reviews Lean Business Cases under $5 million before they go to the Digital Transformation Board for endorsement.
  • Review's business cases and makes recommendations to the Digital Transformation Board for scale funded projects (>$5 million).
  • Escalates issues to the Digital Transformation Board as necessary.

The DRF meets quarterly and as required.

Cabinet Infrastructure Committee

As part of its function in relation to digital investment in NSW, Cabinet Infrastructure Committee:

  • Monitors and oversees the state's customer and digital infrastructure strategies, programs and policies, including consideration of any risks as well as coordination between digital and physical infrastructure programs.
  • Monitors Portfolio health of ICT and Digital Projects through regular ICT Assurance reporting.

Information and Privacy Commission NSW

Provides advice to all DRF funded projects that may have access to government information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, and the protection of personal information under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 or health information under the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. Read more about the role of the commission.

Cybersecurity NSW

Provides prioritised list of Cyber investments under DRF and advises on cybersecurity risks /mitigation for selected DRF referred projects. Read more about the Cyber Security Policy in NSW.

ICT and Digital Leadership Group (IDLG)

Chaired by the Government Chief Information and Digital Officer, this group is made up of all of the Government Cluster's Chief Digital/Technology officers. This group is responsible for Whole of Government ICT and Digital Strategy and consulted on the priorities for state digital assets and front-line systems modernisation (legacy) project proposals before we make recommendations to Cabinet.

Digital Restart Team at the Department of Customer Service

  • Receives and assesses business cases from project teams/sponsors for the Digital Restart Fund.
  • Provides Independent assurance on business cases as required under the ICT and Digital Assurance Framework (IDAF).
  • Provides secretariat duties for the fund's working groups and Steering Committees and oversees the day-to-day administration of the Fund.
  • Provides assistance and advice on business cases and prepares cabinet submissions for Cabinet and ERC

Treasury

  • Reviews business cases, including cost-benefit analysis, for accuracy and to make sure that they comply with Treasury policy. This also includes how funding might be structured and what the impact will be on overall cluster budgets.
  • Makes sure that the fund keeps within budget parameters and facilitates financial adjustments to budget estimates if necessary.

Project Teams/Clusters/Agencies

Each project needs a senior executive sponsor (Executive director or above). Each cluster/agency is responsible for participating in the pipeline process. The project team is responsible for developing business cases and ensuring that it complies with its Cluster's internal governance, assurance, treasury guidelines and reporting requirements. The sponsor is accountable to the DRF Steering Committee for achieving the outcomes and benefits described in the approved business case and reporting to DCS on project progress.

Contact details for Cluster representatives:

Education: Jacqueline ParkerHealth: Graham Baum (eHealth NSW)Transport EPMO: Chris MolonyTreasury CIO: Tracey WilsonDPC: Wendy BryantDPIE: Prajwal SubediRegional: George ArgyStronger Communities: Justin PaineDCS PMO: Daniela Polit