Evaluation in Australia

Abstract

This chapter examines the influence of political, social and professional contexts on the framing, conduct and use of evaluation in Australia. There is a long-standing tradition of evaluation in Australia, dating back to at least the mid-1970s. The institutionalisation of evaluation at the federal level reached a zenith during the period from 1987 to 1997, then declined after a change of government. The past decade has witnessed a revitalisation following policy and legislative reforms to performance reporting requirements. While the public profile and visibility of evaluation is limited, evaluation practice in Australia is relatively mature and includes established higher education and trai..