Critical decision recording 110-11010040

The Australian Government Investigations Standards (AGIS) states that critical decisions are those decisions made during an investigation that lead to a significant change of direction in the investigation, resources involved in the investigation, or any decision that may impact on the investigation achieving its stated outcomes.

These decisions can arise as a result of external developments, evidence that has or has not been obtained, or change of strategy.

Services Australia is committed to ensuring that significant decisions made during an investigation are defensible and clearly articulate why the proposed course of action was taken. This will provide assurance that decision makers are accountable for the quality and integrity of their actions and any decisions made are done so transparently and with the appropriate level of managerial oversight.

All critical decisions made during an investigation should be made by an appropriate officer and documented on the investigation record or file.

Critical decisions require management approval before the proposed action is implemented. Depending on the decision, approval sits with either the Senior Investigator/ Approver of Investigations or the Regional Investigation Operations Meetings. Critical decision points and responsibility for approval.