Driving Better Outcomes from Digital Investment in South Australia: A Conversation with Steve Eatts

In this Q&A, Public Sector Network speaks with Steve Eatts, Director, Digital Investment Fund, Department of Treasury and Finance, about what better outcomes from digital investment really mean in South Australia. Steve discusses how funding decisions are made, why repeatable and scalable solutions matter, and what agencies can do to improve delivery when budgets and timelines are under pressure. He also offers a preview of the themes he will explore at Government Innovation Showcase South Australia.

In simple terms, what does “better outcomes” from digital investment look like in South Australia?

Steve Eatts:
Better outcomes come from choosing the right initiatives to invest in, then delivering them successfully, on time and within budget, so they enable better services and stronger value for South Australians.

When you choose what to fund, what are the top two to three things you look for?

Steve Eatts:
We look for alignment with our investment principles. In particular, we focus on whether the initiative will create value and benefits for government and for the citizens of South Australia, whether it aligns with our strategic directions, and whether there is a high degree of confidence that it can be delivered effectively.

Can you share one example of a digital project that worked well, and why it worked?

Steve Eatts:
A strong example is our Grants Management initiative with the Department of Human Services. We supported this initiative because there was a clear need for a repeatable solution that multiple agencies could use.

To make that possible, we established a Multi-Agency Reference Group so the solution would be developed with the needs of other agencies in mind. Following the successful delivery of the initiative at DHS, we are now implementing the same core solution at two further agencies. That is a good example of how thinking beyond a single agency can create broader value across government.

Hear more from Steve Eatts at Government Innovation Showcase South Australia, where he will deliver the opening keynote, Digital Investment in South Australia – Driving Improved Outcomes, and facilitate the panel discussion, Innovation Spotlight – Celebrating the Impact and Benefits of Innovation in South Australia. In the example article, CTA blocks are inserted within the body and again at the close.

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What is your best advice for prioritising digital work when time and budgets are tight?

Steve Eatts:
Agencies need to be really clear on which digital initiative will drive the best outcomes for them. From there, they should look to leverage proven, repeatable assets and approaches that have worked elsewhere wherever possible. That helps reduce delivery risk and improves time to value.

For Government Innovation Showcase South Australia, what do you want attendees to learn from your keynote, and what should they do next after the event?

Steve Eatts:
I’d like attendees to take away that we are now doing digital investments differently in South Australia, with a stronger focus on driving value and delivering outcomes.

I also want them to see that they can play a key role in this evolution, helping to enable better digital outcomes for their agency and for the State more broadly.

What is one thing you would change about how government teams plan and deliver digital projects, if you could?

Steve Eatts:
I would encourage teams to think broader. They should reach out to colleagues and industry partners, both within South Australia and in other jurisdictions, to learn from existing knowledge and proven good practice. Drawing on those insights improves the likelihood of delivering outcomes and realising the benefits that follow.

Don’t miss Steve Eatts live at Government Innovation Showcase South Australia.
Catch Steve at 9:20am for the opening keynote, Digital Investment in South Australia – Driving Improved Outcomes, and again at 9:30am as facilitator for the panel discussion, Innovation Spotlight – Celebrating the Impact and Benefits of Innovation in South Australia.

View the agenda here: https://publicsectornetwork.com/events/government-innovation-week-south-australia-adelaide-2026/government-innovation-showcase-south-australia-adelaide-2026/overview/
Register here https://psnevents.eventsair.com/government-innovation-showcase-south-australia-2026/gov/Site/Register