VPS missions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

VPS missions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

From April 2020 the most senior levels of the Victorian public service were structured to focus on a small number of core missions to help respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, and to prepare for the recovery and post-crisis restoration of Victoria.

Departmental Secretaries have been appointed as Missions Leads by the Premier, who are responsible for planning and delivering the missions. Mission Leads engage with the Crisis Council of Cabinet (CCC) Coordinating Ministers and support the CCC as the structure’s core decision-making forum.

A Mission Coordination Committee, chaired by the Secretary of DPC, was also established as the key officials’ forum to help deliver the missions, reporting to the CCC. This mission structure has allowed the VPS to effectively focus activity, share resources and coordinate coronavirus (COVID-19) responses across departments.

From June 2020, the initial eight public service missions were consolidated into six key missions, to support a more focused effort on public health response and resilience, and to help deliver the deferred 2020/21 Victorian Budget. These six key missions are:

Mission Lead secretary Description
Public health resilience Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services Leadership of the ongoing public health response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and hospital and system reform
Economic management and preparation of the 2020/21 Victorian Budget Secretary, Department of Treasury and Finance Leadership for monitoring economic and business conditions, and for managing the Victorian Budget and financing including tax reform
Economic program delivery, supply, logistics and procurement Secretary, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

Leadership and delivery for the economic programs needed to support business and employment

Leadership for the supply and transport of essential goods, and the timely procurement of goods and services and potentially premises

Restoration and reform of public services — people

Secretary, Department of Justice and Community Safety

Secretary, Department of

Health and Human Services

Secretary, Department of Education and Training

Leadership for the recovery and reform of key government justice, education and human services
Restoration and reform of public services — economic (public sector)

Secretary, Department of Transport

Secretary, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

Leadership for the recovery and reform of key government economic services, including to support economic recovery by rapidly restarting and commissioning infrastructure projects
Economic recovery and growth

Secretary, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

CEO, Invest Victoria

Leadership to identify recovery and growth strategies and actions for Victoria to recover economically.

Two enabling programs of work were also established to guide the state’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and to support the six missions:

Enabling program Lead secretary Description
Critical risks and opportunities Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet Leadership to identify critical risks, vulnerabilities and post-event reform opportunities for the public sector
Behaviour change, social cohesion and communications Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet Leadership for the design and coordinated implementation of communication, community activation and engagement activities

Updated