The WA Government has released new rules for public office fit-outs, procurement and maintenance.

Office accommodation is one of the largest operating expenses incurred by government agencies, and WA wants to trim the fat.

The new rules were unveiled in the Premier's Circular 2015/01, Government Office Accommodation Policy. 

The aim of the policy is to “establish a framework to achieve value-for-money office accommodation that supports Agencies' service delivery requirements”.

The changes include a new workspace density benchmark of 13 square metres per workpoint.

The target will be applied to the procurement of new premises and to all new fit-out and major refurbishment requests.

The Department of Finance says it will “work with Agencies to identify and manage possible exceptional circumstances”, but that “sufficient justification must be documented and submitted to the Department of Finance for consideration”.

The Department of Finance will also, on behalf of the Minister for Works, take on the procurement and management leased office accommodation.

Agencies will have to obtain ministerial approval for any fit-out or refurbishment works with a value over $100,000.

“Office accommodation requests will be considered in the context of Government priorities and directions, as well as Agency requirements,” Circular 2015/01 said.

“Agencies are required to provide the Department of Finance with their 10-year strategic office accommodation plans on an annual basis and submit business cases and investment proposals for review, in accordance with the Government's Strategic Asset Management Framework.”