Outcome 4
Listed Entity
Program 4.1 – Commonwealth Courts Corporate Services
The Commonwealth Courts Corporate Services was established following the enactment of the Courts Administration Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (Cth).
Corporate Services includes finance, people and culture, security, risk oversight and management, communications, information technology, business intelligence, property and procurement, library, information management and judgment publishing.
| Purpose | Provide a valued and capable workforce, fit-for-purpose and secure facilities, integrated and secure systems and data, and strong governance and financial sustainability – enabling efficient, effective and resilient services across all jurisdictions |
|---|---|
| Outcome | Improved administration and support of the resolution of matters according to law for litigants in the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and parties in the National Native Title Tribunal through efficient and effective provision of shared corporate and registry services |
| Program 4.1 | Provide efficient and effective corporate services for the Commonwealth Courts and tribunals |
| Key activities |
|
| Performance measure 1 | Strengthen workforce capability, empowerment, and employee experience |
| Performance measure 2 | Further develop security capability to support a safe and secure operating environment |
| Performance measure 3 | Improved digital service delivery through Digital Court Program initiatives, data maturity improvement and IT infrastructure delivery |
| Performance measure 4 | Ensure the Listed Entity’s operations are financially sustainable and effectively governed |
Targets
| Targets | 2026–27 | 2027–28 | 2028–29 | 2029–30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target 1 Improvement in key APS Employee census indicators, including engagement, compared with previous year |
Response rate greater than 61% (Listed Entity 2025) Employee Engagement index greater than 76% (Listed Entity 2025) |
Response rate greater than previous year Employee Engagement index greater than previous year |
Response rate greater than previous year Employee Engagement index greater than previous year |
Response rate greater than previous year Employee Engagement index greater than previous year |
| Target 2 Reduction in security incidents compared with the previous year | 5% reduction in security incidents | 5% reduction in security incidents | 5% reduction in security incidents | 5% reduction in security incidents |
| Target 3 Annual IT Digital Services Satisfaction Survey – achieving 90% overall satisfaction score | 90% overall satisfaction score | 90% overall satisfaction score | 90% overall satisfaction score | 90% overall satisfaction score |
| Target 4 Operate within set budget parameters and governance frameworks |
Actual expenditure remains within 5% of approved budget and appropriation limits No significant adverse audit findings, finance breaches or compliance issues |
Actual expenditure remains within 5% of approved budget and appropriation limits No significant adverse audit findings, finance breaches or compliance issues |
Actual expenditure remains within 5% of approved budget and appropriation limits No significant adverse audit findings, finance breaches or compliance issues |
Actual expenditure remains within 5% of approved budget and appropriation limits No significant adverse audit findings, finance breaches or compliance issues |
Measure type
Targets 1, 2 and 3 will be measured by reference to quantitative data.
Target 4 will be measured by quantitative financial data and qualitative data from assurance and audit activities.
Assessment method (tolerances)
Target 1: This measure records the response rate and engagement index to the annual APS Employee Census across all Listed Entity staff.
Target 2: This measure compares the percentage change in the number of security incidents recorded in the security incident report system.
Target 3: This measure compares the percentage of respondents to the annual IT Satisfaction Survey that are ‘Satisfied’ or higher.
Target 4: Actual expenditure remains within 5 per cent of approved budget and appropriation limits; and
No significant adverse audit findings, finance law breaches, or governance compliance issues are identified during the reporting period.
Rationale/context
Target 1: Higher response rates and engagement scores in the APS Employee Census provide increased visibility of staff engagement across the Listed Entity, and targeted approaches to areas for improvement of organisational effectiveness.
Target 2: A reduction in the percentage of incidents is independent of matters before the Courts and Tribunal, avoiding the impacts of the operational tempo/number of listings.
Target 3: IT Satisfaction scores correlate with improved productivity and efficient operation of the Listed Entity.
Target 4: Delivery of operations within approved budget and governance frameworks demonstrate the Listed Entity is functioning effectively.
Methodology/data sources
Target 1: APS Census results.
Target 2: Security Incident Report system data.
Target 3: IT Satisfaction survey results.
Target 4: Annual financial statements, internal audit reports, Audit and Risk Committee reports, external audit outcomes.
Detail and rationale of changes since the 2025 –26 Corporate Plan
Changes have been made to these measures and targets to better align strategic objectives, measurement across the APS, and ongoing improvement across core functions.
Changes since 2025–26 Corporate Plan:
Performance measure 1
Has changed from Optimise technology to support judicial, registry and corporate services functions to Strengthen workforce capability, empowerment, and employee experience.Performance measure 2
Has changed from Implementation of a Cyber Security Program to Further develop security capability to support a safe and secure operating environment.Performance measure 3
Has changed from Efficient and effective corporate services. To Improved digital service delivery through Digital Court Program initiatives, data maturity improvement and IT infrastructure delivery.Performance measure 4
Has changed from Gender equality – female representation in the senior executive service (SES) and executive level (EL) to Ensure the Listed Entity’s operations are financially sustainable and effectively governed.Performance measure 5
Indigenous representation – proportion of staff who identify as Indigenous is deleted.
Program 4.2 – Commonwealth Courts Registry Services
Program 4.2 is delivered by CTS. CTS is focused on maximising registry operational effectiveness through streamlined structures and digital innovations that contribute to the future financial sustainability of operations.
The national approach ensures that the quality and productivity of registry services is optimal and allows for building consistency of registry practice and expertise in all roles, across all court locations, to support the work of judges and registrars and improve the experience of all court users.
| Purpose | Committed to excellence in client services, judicial support and courthouse operations – ensuring responsive and user centred service delivery, supported by modern and sustainable operating models |
|---|---|
| Outcome | Improved administration and support of the resolution of matters according to law for litigants in the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2), and parties in the National Native Title Tribunal through efficient and effective provision of shared corporate and registry services |
| Program | Provide efficient and effective registry services for the Commonwealth Courts and Tribunals |
| Key activities |
|
| Performance measure 1 | All information and service provided by registry services is high quality, timely and meets the needs of clients |
| Performance measure 2 | Timely processing of documents |
| Performance measure 3 | Efficient registry services |
Targets
| Targets | 2026–27 | 2027–28 | 2028–29 | 2029–30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target 1 At least a 90% customer enquiry satisfaction rate | At least a 90% customer enquiry satisfaction rate | At least a 90% customer enquiry satisfaction rate | At least a 90% customer enquiry satisfaction rate | At least a 90% customer enquiry satisfaction rate |
| Target 2 75% of documents to be processed within 2 working days | 75% of documents to be processed within 2 working days | 75% of documents to be processed within 2 working days | 75% of documents to be processed within 2 working days | 75% of documents to be processed within 2 working days |
| Target 3 All registry services to be provided within the agreed funding levels | All registry services to be provided within the agreed funding levels | All registry services to be provided within the agreed funding levels | All registry services to be provided within the agreed funding levels | All registry services to be provided within the agreed funding levels |
Measure type
- Effective and efficient use of available resources
- Improved service delivery capability
- Quality, timely and consistent information for all court users
- Maximised benefits of nationalised service delivery
- An environment that focusses on safety for court users experiencing family violence
- Maximised efficiency in managing national enquiries
- Full realisation of the benefits of the Digital Court Program in registry practice
- Effective digital litigation support provided to the judiciary, profession and litigants.
Assessment method
An achieved and not achieved assessment method will be adopted. Achieved is defined as attaining the percentage figure or greater indicated for performance measures 1 and 2; and delivering registry services within the agreed funding levels for performance measure 3. Not achieved are results falling outside these parameters.
Rationale/context
Consistent, timely and accurate advice to clients is essential for high-quality service delivery and supports the ability of the judiciary and support staff to operate efficiently and effectively.
Efficient processing of documents is essential for the efficiency and quality of the conduct of hearings and provision of quality service to clients.
To ensure a sufficient level of staffing resources to provide a range of high-quality registry services at each registry location (e.g. to process documents, answer client enquiries and provide courtroom support).
Methodology/data sources
Performance measure 1: Will be measured by a post-call survey: achievement of 90 per cent satisfaction rating of 4/5 or 5/5 surveyed clients.
Performance measure 2: Will be measured by a report from the Case Management Database of the percentage of documents processed within two working days.
Performance measure 3: Will be measured by regular provision and analysis of financial and budgetary reports to ensure all registry services are provided within agreed funding levels. Staff performance will be monitored through the management structure and the performance review process.
