<b>Collaborative Commissioning & Formal Relational Contracting – </b><b>What’s the difference and what are the likely benefits?</b>

<p dir="ltr">In their recent submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry <i>Delivering quality care more efficiently</i>, Professor Mark Considine and Professor Bruce Bonyhady examine two emerging approaches to public service governance: collaborative commissioning and formal relational contracting. While both seek to move beyond transactional procurement and foster deeper partnerships between governments, providers, and communities, they are often discussed interchangeably. This paper clarifies the conceptual and practical distinctions between the two, and considers their potential to improve outcomes in complex human services.</p>