Must-know ICT and government terminology

Public financial corporations (including borrowing authorities) and public non-financial corporations; i.e. government organisations which provide goods and services to consumers on a commercial basis, and which are funded largely by the sale of goods and services.

Offerings with no ICT component.

An independent body that is established by the government to provide advice and recommendations on a specific issue or policy area. Unlike a statutory body, a non-statutory advisory body is not established by an Act of Parliament and does not have any formal legal powers or responsibilities. Non-statutory advisory bodies may be established for a limited time period or on an ongoing basis, and may be composed of experts from academia, industry, or civil society.

A unit within a government department or agency that is responsible for carrying out specific functions related to the delivery of government services or the implementation of government policies. The tasks performed by a government office may vary widely depending on its mandate, but may include tasks such as regulatory compliance, policy development, service delivery, and program management. Examples of government offices in the Australian public sector include the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, which oversees the handling of personal information by government agencies and private sector organisations, and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, which regulates the safety of rail operations in Australia.

Electronic devices that are commonly found in office environments, such as printers, scanners, photocopiers, fax machines, and multi-functional devices.

The use of technology solutions, tools and software to automate and streamline office tasks, facilitate collaboration and communication, and increase overall efficiency and productivity in the workplace. This can include a range of software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, email and communication tools, project management software, and more.

Delivering of training and education over the internet. Includes self-paced e-learning courses, virtual instructor-led training, webinars, and video tutorials. Online training services leverage digital technology using a combination of multimedia content, quizzes, and simulations to reinforce learning. Often available on demand, allowing learners to complete training at their own pace and on their own schedule.

The practice of publicly advertising a tender or procurement opportunity, allowing any interested party to submit a bid or proposal. This method of procurement is often used to promote competition and transparency in the bidding process, ensuring that all potential suppliers are given equal opportunity to compete for the contract.

A competitive procurement process where any interested supplier can submit a proposal to provide goods or services. This process is typically used for lower value procurements where the procurement agency seeks to obtain the best value for money without the need for a formal tender process. The process usually involves advertising the requirement, issuing specifications or requirements, and inviting offers or quotes from all interested suppliers who meet the minimum eligibility criteria.

A type of competitive procurement process that is open to all interested and qualified suppliers or service providers. In an open tender, a public agency will issue a public notice inviting suppliers to submit their bids or proposals in response to a specific set of requirements or specifications. The tender process is typically open for a specified period of time, and all bids received will be evaluated according to the stated criteria, with the aim of selecting the most suitable supplier based on a combination of price and quality considerations.