Browse our range of publications including performance and financial statement audit reports, assurance review reports, information reports and annual reports.
Requests for audit
The Auditor-General receives requests for audit from Members and Senators of the Parliament of Australia relating to the forward work program of the Office. View
Agriculture and Water Resources
The Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio supports the sustainability, productivity, international competitiveness and profitability of Australia’s agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries and the sustainable, efficient and productive management and use of rivers and water resources.
Attorney-General’s
The Attorney-General’s portfolio covers a range of functions and policy areas, including privacy; family law and marriage; evidence; international law; administrative law; freedom of information; personal property securities; and native title. It also includes international crime cooperation; drugs; firearms; anti-money laundering; whole-of-government integrity, including corruption; cybercrime; cyber security; counterterrorism; and protective security.
Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is the Australian Government’s principal revenue collection agency. Its role is to administer Australia’s tax system and significant aspects of Australia’s superannuation system. The ATO has a single outcome delivered through 18 programs. In addition, the ATO provides support to the Tax Practitioners Board, the Australian Business Register and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Communications and the Arts
The Communications and the Arts Portfolio is responsible for implementing government policy and programs with respect to digital technologies, communications services and public access to art and culture.
Cross-entity
Cross-entity audits are performance audits of the same activity in a number of entities or the administration of a program by a number of entities.
Defence
The Defence portfolio includes a range of entities that together are responsible for the defence of Australia and its national interests. The principal entity within the Defence portfolio is the Department of Defence.
Education and Training
The Education and Training portfolio is responsible for assisting the Australian Government to undertake a national leadership role in education, including early childhood, schools, tertiary, skills training and international education. It also includes the evidence-based policy development that supports this national role.
Environment and Energy
The Environment and Energy portfolio is responsible for sustainable management of Australia’s environment, adapting to the impacts of climate change, and improving the health of ecosystems.
Finance
The Finance portfolio is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements (CFS) of the Australian Government and a range of finance-related functions that include providing the Australian Government with Budget policy advice, responsibility for superannuation arrangements for government employees, and responsibility for asset sales.
Foreign Affairs and Trade
The objective of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio is to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous by promoting and protecting its interests internationally and contributing to global stability and economic growth, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Health
The Health portfolio covers a range of policy and program areas aimed at achieving better health and ageing outcomes for Australians; supporting equitable, efficient and high-quality health and aged care systems; and improving opportunities for better outcomes in sport.
Home Affairs
The creation of the Home Affairs portfolio in December 2017 brought together Australia’s federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, and immigration and border-related functions and agencies.
Human Services
The Human Services portfolio comprises the Department of Human Services and Australian Hearing Services. The department has responsibility for delivering a range of payments and services to support individuals, families and communities, as well as providers and businesses. These include income support payments and services, aged care payments, Medicare payments and services, and child support services.
Industry, Innovation and Science
Industry, Innovation and Science became a component of the Jobs and Innovation portfolio in December 2017 to enable growth and productivity for globally competitive industries. The portfolio consists of the former portfolio of Employment, now Jobs and Small Business; and Industry, Innovation and Science. Audit considerations for the Jobs and Small Business component of the portfolio are discussed separately.
Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities
The Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities portfolio covers a number of policy areas, including safety across the civil aviation, maritime and transport sectors; air navigation services; developing and administering the national capital; and road, rail and freight transport systems.
Jobs and Small Business
Jobs and Small Business became a component of the Jobs and Innovation portfolio in December 2017 to bring together policy and programs focusing on job creation. The portfolio consists of two sub-portfolios: Jobs and Small Business; and Industry, Innovation and Science. Audit considerations for the Industry, Innovation and Science sub-portfolio are discussed separately.
Parliamentary departments
The four parliamentary departments support the function of the Parliament and the work of parliamentarians. Key roles include providing services to support the operations of the House of Representatives, the Senate and their committees; independent analysis of budget proposals and fiscal policy; and maintenance services for Parliament House.
Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio is responsible for providing support and policy advice to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and ministers on public and government administration matters, including policy development and whole-of-government coordination.
Social Services
The Social Services portfolio is responsible for achieving the Australian Government’s social policy outcomes and delivering social security priorities through policy advice, program administration and research.
Treasury
The Treasury portfolio is responsible for activities aimed at achieving strong, sustainable economic growth and the improved wellbeing of Australians.
Veterans’ Affairs
The responsibility for veterans’ affairs programs and policy resides within the Defence portfolio, and includes support for veterans and war widows and widowers, serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force, certain Australian Federal Police officers with overseas service, and Australian participants in British nuclear tests and their dependants.