Regulator Maturity Model and Self-Assessment tool

Introduction

The Department of Finance developed the Regulator Maturity Model to help Commonwealth regulators evaluate and improve their regulatory capability. It measures how regulators capability changes over time.

The model is a tool to support regulators to apply the Regulatory Policy, Practice & Performance Framework (the RPPPF).

What you need to know

All Commonwealth regulators can use the model. This includes standalone regulators and areas within departments that perform regulatory functions.

Regulators can use the self-assessment tool to check their capability against the model. Regulators can choose to assess themselves as a whole or focus on an individual regulatory function.

Finance recommends regulators complete a self-assessment every 2 years or after major changes to their regulatory scheme. This gives regulators time to act on results, such as improving areas where capability gaps were found.

A self-assessment is not an audit or compliance check. It does not assess individual staff or individual regulatory decisions. It does not affect existing review rights for any decisions made by a regulator.

Why measuring regulator maturity matters

Measuring maturity helps regulators find capability gaps and plan for future challenges.

The results also help Finance understand regulator capability across government. This supports Finance to identify whole of system capability gaps that may require greater support.

Using the model is voluntary, but Finance strongly encourages it. A self-assessment gives regulators insights into their capability and helps identify opportunities to increase their effectiveness as a regulator.