Australian Institute of Family Studies
Strategic plan 2009-2012
The Strategic plan 2009-12 (PDF 632 KB) is also available for download.
Who we are
The Australian Institute of Family Studies is a statutory agency of the Australian Government that conducts, facilitates and communicates research about issues affecting families in Australia.
What we do
The Institute aims to increase understanding of factors affecting how Australian families function by conducting research and communicating findings to policy-makers, service providers and the broader community.
The Institute's Strategic and Research Plans set the framework for our research activities and guide the research we undertake, including commissioned projects. The Institute facilitates and communicates research findings through its research publications, websites, clearinghouses, information services, presentations and the media.
Who we inform
The Institute seeks to inform:
- the Australian Government;
- state, territory and local governments;
- providers of services to families and children;
- researchers and policy-makers, nationally and internationally; and
- the broader community.
How we work
The Institute delivers information that is:
- rigorous, high-quality and credible;
- relevant to current and emerging policy, professional, research and community interests relating to family functioning and wellbeing;
- responsive, timely and targeted in its delivery; and
- effectively and efficiently communicated to all stakeholders.
The Institute:
- adheres to the Australian Public Service Values and Code of Conduct; and
- operates efficiently, effectively and ethically in its corporate governance, management and administration.
What we deliver
The Institute delivers a wide range of information and research-based products and services, such as:
- publications, including Family Matters, research reports and submissions;
- information resources and services, including national clearinghouses and electronic alerts;
- research-based information and advice to inform policy development and to assist practitioners;
- the AIFS Conference and Seminar Series, external presentations, workshops and forums; and
- information conveyed to the broader community through the media.
Monitoring our performance
The Institute's progress in delivering its research program will be mapped over the life of this plan using trend indicators such as:
- Institute publications that are distributed and downloaded;
- submissions to government inquiries that cite Institute-authored research;
- the Institute's funding agreements and commissioning agencies; and
- media coverage of Institute activities.
Our strategic direction
This Strategic Plan provides the overarching framework for the Institute's strategic direction and research planning. It is a companion document to the Institute's Research Plan 2009–12. Throughout the three years of this Strategic Plan the Institute will undertake impartial policy-relevant research on a broad range of family-related issues. The Institute's research is of the highest standard and is strategically targeted to be of significant value to its key stakeholders.
Emphasis will be placed on extending and further strengthening our partnerships and networks with the government, academic and service provider sectors. Local, national and international collaborations enable the Institute to extend its research capacity and facilitate knowledge transfer to those with prime responsibility for the development of policies and services for Australian families. Emphasis will also be placed on the dissemination of research findings to the broader community to foster greater understanding of factors that affect families in Australia.
The Institute will continue to demonstrate high standards of corporate governance and accountability to ensure that research and communications goals are achieved efficiently and effectively.
Strategic goals and strategies
Goal 1—Conduct high-quality research, relevant to policy and practice, on a broad range of issues regarding families in Australia
Strategies will include:
- shaping the research of the Institute around the Research Plan 2009–12;
- reinforcing our relationships with government ministers and departments to ensure the Institute's work is relevant;
- extending the impact of our research by identifying and responding to emerging policy issues affecting families; and
- ensuring the quality of our research by benchmarking and subjecting our research design, methods and publications to external review.
Goal 2—Expand, through collaborative partnerships, understanding of factors affecting families
Strategies will include:
- extending the contribution of the Institute to government by undertaking research for and communicating findings to a broad range of portfolios and other agencies;
- developing and maintaining national and international collaborative partnerships with other research agencies, community organisations and service providers;
- increasing our contribution to policy development forums, reviews and parliamentary inquiries; and
- strengthening the impact of the Institute's research on service provision through participation in key practice forums and networks.
Goal 3—Increase the effectiveness of our communications to foster greater understanding about factors that affect families
Strategies will include:
- systematically communicating our research findings to government agencies responsible for developing, implementing and reviewing policy;
- actively disseminating our research findings through clearinghouses and other research activities targeted to family sector practitioners;
- maximising delivery of our information, publication and communications products and services in order to retain and engage existing and new audiences; and
- strengthening media coverage of the Institute's research findings in order to increase the reach to the broader community.
Goal 4—Build our organisational capability to achieve research and communication objectives
Strategies will include:
- implementing the Institute's Corporate Plan 2009–12;
- developing our staff capabilities through effective workforce and succession planning, employee engagement, learning and development, performance management, exchanges and mentoring programs; and
- operating efficiently, effectively and ethically in our financial management, accountability and governance processes, and information and communication technology systems.