Premier and Cabinet circulars are used to establish whole of government policies and often include an instruction or requirement to take specific action in the implementation of those policies.
Our Cabinet Business and Systems team can provide advice to government agencies on the development of new circulars before they are presented to Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Once a circular has been approved by Cabinet it must be followed by all government departments.
All Premier and Cabinet circulars have been made available for download from our website.
July 2020
This circular provides guidance on the preparation of new circulars and amendment of existing circulars.
PC001 Guidance on the Development and Review of Premier and Cabinet Circulars (PDF, 206.7 KB)
September 2021
This circular provides guidance on the handling of requests for information and briefings by Members of Parliament to public sector employees.
PC002 Briefing Requests from Members of Parliament (PDF, 187.6 KB)
December 2022
This Circular outlines the requirement for relevant entities to utilise the Government of South Australia’s contracted supplier for the provision of media monitoring services.
Revised March 2019
This circular relates to Cabinet policy on the arrangements by which brand and functional advertising is to be managed across-government agencies and statutory authorities.
Revised May 2020
This circular is a Cabinet Instruction that contains the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs). The IPPs regulate the way South Australian Public Sector agencies collect, use, store and disclose personal information.
Minor amendments included transferring the document to the updated government template and changing WorkCover South Australia to Return to Work South Australia in Schedule: Clause 2(3) Agencies to which this instruction does not apply.
Revised April 2022
This circular provides the directions of the Premier in the preparation and publication of annual reports by General Government Sector agencies that present their reports to Parliament in South Australia. For these agencies, the use of the circular and the accompanying template are mandatory.
Public Financial Corporations and Public Non-Financial Corporations are not bound by PC013 but may choose to use the circular and template.
PC013 - Annual Reporting Requirements (PDF, 316.3 KB)
2021-2022 Annual Report template (DOCX, 192.7 KB)
The template, FAQs and additional resources are available from the departmental Extranet or by request to DPCOCEReporting@sa.gov.au.
Revised December 2021
This circular provides guidelines for the preparation of reports to the Public Works Committee (PWC) and on the requirements for advising Cabinet of referrals to the PWC for projects valued over $15 million.
Revised September 2016
This circular is for the information of Ministers’ offices, Chief Executives and staff involved in appointments and payments to members of government appointed part-time boards and committees.
December 2019
A general Direction in relation to the remission of fees payable to the Crown and the free supply of copies of official documents in connection with professional work carried out by or for the Legal Services Commission of South Australia.
This circular was formerly issued in April 1980 as DPC Circular 78 and supersedes a direction from the former Attorney-General contained in a minute to all Ministers dated 12th February, 1979.
Revised July 2020
This circular sets out the policy adopted by Cabinet to govern office accommodation including the roles, responsibilities and procedures to be followed, and the issues to be considered for the planning, leasing, fit-out, utilisation and management of office accommodation leased or owned by the South Australian Government.
Revised March 2021
This circular aims to prevent the proliferation of boards and committees by promoting community engagement strategies and departmental structures as a first preference for delivering services.
PC022 also establishes tests and approvals for when to establish a new board, provides general guidance on the structural options and ensures that existing boards and committees undergo regular review.
Revised February 2018
This circular outlines the policy for common branding. The key principle is that all government entities maintain a consistent and professional image, and are easily identifiable as belonging to the Government of South Australia. This policy aims to provide a unified approach to branding by all government entities. Clear and consistent branding enables the public to recognise South Australian Government activities. It improves service to the public by facilitating access to programs and services provided by the government.
December 2005
This circular prescribes a policy applying to all public authorities subject to the Public Finance and Audit Act 1987 for the public disclosure of certain contracts involving government expenditure and the sale of government assets, and for the management of contract information.
August 2015
This circular relates to responsibility for construction procurement policy and application of the Project Implementation Process which is applicable by all agencies to every ‘prescribed construction project’ as defined by Regulations under the State Procurement Act 2004.
PC028 Construction Procurement Policy Project Implementation Process (PDF, 54.0 KB)
Revised 15 July 2021
This Circular outlines the framework for Chief Executive performance management and development in the South Australian Public Sector for 2021-22.
PC029 Guidelines for the Chief Executive Performance Appraisal Process (PDF, 1000.6 KB)
Chief Executive Performance Appraisal Process Timeframes
This document outlines the critical timeframes and responsibilities for the Chief Executive Performance Appraisal Process.
Timelines for the Chief Executive Performance Appraisal Process (PDF, 707.0 KB)
Performance Framework Template
This template should be used by Chief Executive Council members to summarise the priorities to be delivered over the financial year.
Performance Framework Template 2021-22 (DOCX, 37.1 KB)
Chief Executive Performance Agreement Template
This template should be used when outlining the government and agency key priorities as agreed by the signatories. These priorities will provide the basis for the Chief Executive's formal performance appraisal at year’s end.
Chief Executive Performance Agreement template 2021-22 (DOCX, 35.3 KB)
Chief Executive Development and Succession Plan Template
This template should be used to develop a personal learning and development plan which includes a plan for succession.
Chief Executive Development and Succession Plan template 2021-22 (DOCX, 25.5 KB)
Effective July 2020
Protective security comprises the policies and procedures to protect people, information and assets from compromise or harm. The Government of South Australia and its agencies have a responsibility to implement effective protective security policies which maintain the safety, integrity and viability of its people (including those who come into contact with the government and its services), its information and its assets, while continuing to deliver efficient and effective services.
This circular outlines the strategic decision, approved by Cabinet, for a whole-of-government approach to protective security by adopting the South Australian Protective Security Framework (SAPSF) as the protective security policy requirements for the Government of South Australia.
For further information on the SAPSF, email sapsf@sa.gov.au
PC030 Protective Security in the Government of South Australia (PDF, 586.8 KB)
Revised January 2013
Circular 31 contains the policy entitled Disclosure of Cabinet Documents 10 Years or Older. This policy allows selected Cabinet documents to be proactively disclosed on a government website and considered for release through the FOI process, if 10 years have passed since the end of the calendar year in which it came into existence. The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is assigned as the agency that will publish selected Cabinet documents online and deal with all FOI applications under the policy.
October 2014
The Lobbyist Code of Conduct has been designed to introduce greater accountability and transparency into the lobbying process and the interaction between lobbyists and the South Australian Government.
Updated June 2019
Under the Subordinate Legislation Act 1978, all subordinate legislation to be tabled in Parliament is referred to the Legislative Review Committee for consideration. The Committee relies on written reports from agencies as the starting point for its examination of the legislation. Circular 34 contains guidelines for the content of agency reports to the Legislative Review Committee.
Revised February 2020
Circular 35 contains the policy entitled Proactive Disclosure of Regularly Requested Information. This policy requires certain State Government agencies to disclose to the public information that is regularly requested and released under the Freedom of Information Act 1992. The information will be published on agency websites and includes details about the government’s expenditure on credit cards, mobile phones, capital works projects, consultants, and Ministers’ overseas travel. It also includes agency gift registers and procurement policies and procedures. Proactively publishing this information online ensures that it is shared with all members of the public. For more information, please contact State Records of South Australia.
PC035 Disclosure of Regularly Requested Information (PDF, 167.9 KB)
An Information Sheet on PC035 is also available on the State Records of South Australia website.
Updated June 2019
This circular provides advice on how government agencies can develop a best practice approach to community and stakeholder engagement.
PC036 Best practice community and stakeholder engagement (PDF, 197.1 KB)
This circular relates to the application of the Guidelines for the Assessment of Unsolicited Proposals which are applicable to all Government agencies and all public authorities under the Public Finance and Audit Act 1997. The objective of the Guidelines is to provide a consistently applied framework for the assessment of unsolicited proposals that originate from a private entity (either for profit or not-for-profit) and are submitted to Government without formally being requested.
Updated October 2021
This circular requires all South Australian public sector agencies to establish and maintain an effective complaint management system that conforms to the principles in the Australian/New Zealand Standard: Guidelines for Complaint Management in Organizations (AS/NZS10002:2014).
June 2017
This circular articulates the principles South Australian public sector agencies must adhere to when planning and booking air travel.
Effective from 1 July 2020
This circular addresses the requirements for Agencies to manage, report and respond to cyber security incidents in coordination with the Control Agency for ICT Failure.
Updated June 2019
The South Australian Funding Policy for the Not for Profit Sector aims to provide a simplified and consistent approach to funding that will make it easier for NFPs to apply for, manage, report on and acquit government funding. It also ensures that we capture learning and evidence that can be used to continually improve outcomes for South Australian communities.
PC044 South Australian Funding Policy for the Not for Profit Sector (PDF, 137.5 KB)
September 2017
This circular requires agencies to publish information that has been released under freedom of information, providing the information is not related to a person’s personal affairs, is not exempt from disclosure, and would not cause harm to a person.
December 2020
The South Australian Productivity Commission (the Commission), has been established to make recommendations to government to facilitate productivity growth, unlock new economic opportunities, support job creation and remove existing regulatory barriers.
This Circular sets out the Objects and Functions of the Commission, how inquiries are referred to the Commission, undertaken and reported on, and how the Commission and public sector agencies cooperate in support of the performance of the Commission’s functions.
PC046 The South Australian Productivity Commission (PDF, 133.0 KB)
February 2019
This circular provides guidance on the disclosure of Cabinet documents to the Auditor-General and other investigative agencies.
PC047 Disclosure of Cabinet documents to investigative agencies (PDF, 163.6 KB)
July 2019
This circular outlines the policy for the mandatory approval process for the communications activities undertaken by the Government of South Australia.
PC048 Communications Approval Process for the Government of South Australia
(PDF, 191.6 KB)
April 2020
This Circular outlines the policy Cabinet approved on 23 March 2020 with respect to the review and assessment of major publicly funded infrastructure activities undertaken by public sector agencies, as defined in the Public Sector Act 2009, in South Australia.
PC049 – Infrastructure SA Major Project Assurance Framework (PDF, 198.5 KB)
Updated March 2020
This circular describes Cabinet policy on the utilisation, purchase and disposal of government real property (including Crown Lands). This revised version came into effect as of 29 April 2019 and does not apply retrospectively to properties for which a contract of sale has been entered into as of that date.