Governance Framework

The Gateway Review Process examines major projects at six key decision points throughout their lifecycle. Mandatory for all projects classified as High Value High Risk (HVHR). Administered by the Gateway Unit within DTF's Infrastructure Division.

Critical Rules Engine Fact

The VGPB will NOT oversight any procurement activity subject to the Gateway Review Process.

This means a project is either overseen by VGPB (standard goods/services procurement) or by Gateway/HVHR (major investments), but not both simultaneously.

The Six Gates

Gate	Name	Focus	Timing
Gate 1	Concept and Feasibility	Strategic direction, concept development	After preliminary business case
Gate 2	Business Case	Business case review — affordable, achievable, VfM	Before funding submission
Gate 3	Readiness for Market	Procurement approach robust and approved	After EOI, before RFP/RFT
Gate 4	Tender Decision	Preferred contractor selection review	After selection, before contract
Gate 5	Readiness for Service	Asset/service readiness, management arrangements	Upon delivery readiness
Gate 6	Benefits Realisation	Benefits defined in business case being delivered	6–18 months post-completion

Plus Program Review for broader program-level assurance.

HVHR Classification

A project is HVHR if it is a budget-funded project meeting any of these criteria:

Criterion	Detail
High risk (any TEI)	Classified as high risk via DTF Project Profile Model (PPM)
Medium risk + high TEI	Medium risk via PPM AND TEI $100M–$250M
Low risk + very high TEI	Low risk via PPM AND TEI exceeds $250M
Government-nominated	Government identifies project as warranting HVHR scrutiny
ICT projects	TEI over $10M (regardless of funding source)

The Project Profile Model (PPM) is DTF's risk-based classification tool, completed via the Online Reporting Platform (ORP). Updated 2025.

HVHR Assurance Requirements by Stage

Stage	Gateway Gates	Key Requirements
Business Case	Gate 1, Gate 2	Full business case, DTF scrutiny during budget process
Procurement	Gate 3, Gate 4	Treasurer approval of procurement docs, preferred bid, major variations
Delivery	Gate 5, Gate 6	Quarterly progress via Major Project Performance Report, DTF oversight

Each HVHR project receives a tailored Project Assurance Plan (PAP) outlining DTF's involvement level.

Mapping to Investment Lifecycle

Investment Lifecycle Stage	Gateway Gates
Stage 1: Business Case	Gate 1, Gate 2
Stage 2: Procurement	Gate 3, Gate 4
Stage 3: Delivery	Gate 5, Gate 6

Review Process

Independent review teams resourced by Gateway Unit
Planning day + intensive 4-day review (stakeholder interviews, documentation analysis)
Confidential report with recommendations rated Red, Amber, or Green
Red/Amber findings → reported to Treasurer with action plan

Positioning in Governance Architecture

FMA 1994
  └── Standing Directions 2018
        ├── SD 4.2.1 → VGPB (standard procurement)
        ├── SD 4.2.4 → PDCMA Directions (construction)
        └── DTF Infrastructure Investment
              ├── Investment Lifecycle Guidelines (3 stages)
              ├── HVHR Framework (PPM, Treasurer approval)
              └── Gateway Review Process (6 gates)

Gateway/HVHR is the assurance overlay for major capital investments. VGPB provides procurement policy for routine purchasing. They are mutually exclusive in application.

Relationships

Excludes Oversight

Standing Direction SD 4.2.1 VGPB will NOT oversight procurement subject to Gateway Review — frameworks are mutually exclusive for oversight (VGPB policies still apply)

Relates To

Standing Direction SD 4.2.4 Gateway reviews apply to major construction projects classified as HVHR Framework Partnerships Victoria PV projects are HVHR by definition — DTF gateway approvals required Framework Infrastructure Procurement Framework Gateway reviews are the assurance overlay for the infrastructure procurement framework Legislation FMA Gateway/HVHR derives authority from Standing Directions under FMA Framework Infrastructure Procurement Framework Gateway reviews provide assurance overlay for major infrastructure projects under this framework Framework PV Requirements PV projects are HVHR by definition — subject to DTF Gateway Review Process at all stages

Explore Victorian Governance Framework

Governance Framework

Gateway / HVHR

Requirements

Applies to

Conditions

Gateway Review Process and High Value High Risk Framework

Summary