Who is required to prepare a preliminary business case?
If you are seeking external funding for the project you will be required to prepare a preliminary business case for consideration by the OTCD. For most projects, a business case containing the level of detail equivalent to a preliminary business case will be required for the funding submission to government. If the project is categorised as HVHR, you will be required to prepare a detailed full business case. In some circumstances, the government may instruct you to proceed directly to the full business case phase.
If you are seeking internal project funding and you deem it to be of medium complexity, it is also recommended you prepare a preliminary business case.
| Project type | Preliminary business case |
|---|---|
| Business as usual | N/A |
| Low complexity | N/A |
| Medium complexity | Recommended for internally funded projects. Required for externally funded projects. |
| HVHR | Required. However, in some circumstances, the government may instruct you to proceed directly to the full business case phase. |
What to include in a preliminary business case?
This business case is submitted to the Department of Treasury and Finance, through the OTCD (for external funding) or to the TAFE’s board (for internal funding) and may require you to:
- establish a project need
- define the benefits anticipated from addressing the problem(s)
- explore interventions
- develop initial designs
- estimate costs
- identify the delivery process.
For medium complexity and HVHR projects, the initial case for investment serves to gain funding to commence the process of preparing a preliminary business case, while the preliminary business case itself serves to gain funding for the entire project.
Further guidance on what to include in a preliminary business case is available.
For projects with a total estimated investment value of over $10 million, the project profile model must also be submitted with the business case.
Process and timing of submission of a preliminary business case for external review
Unless otherwise instructed by the government, a preliminary business case should be submitted for all HVHR projects as part of the Gate 1 (concept and feasibility) review, which must be carried out before the government considers the full business case. Further information on the government’s gateway review process is available.
Guidance on the government funding and budget setting process, including relevant timing, is available.
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