The Auditor-General responded on 29 March 2019 to the follow-up correspondence from the Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP dated 26 March 2019. Mr Dreyfus requested that the Auditor-General extend his investigation to look at the conduct of a range of parties in relation to the announcement of grants. This is in addition to the request to investigate the conduct of a range of parties in relation to the announcement of the grant to the Yankalilla Bowling Club, which was the subject of the original correspondence dated 24 February 2019. 

The Auditor-General responded on 29 March 2019 to correspondence from Ms Cathy McGowan AO MP dated 5 March 2019, requesting that the Auditor-General investigate the conduct of a range of parties in relation to the announcement of grants under Round 3, Building Better Regions Fund. 

The Auditor-General responded on 20 April 2018 to correspondence from Mr Stephen Jones MP dated 26 March 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the awarding of a grant under the Regional Jobs and Investment Package program in Tropical North Queensland. The Acting Auditor-General followed-up on 23 January 2019 to advise Mr Jones that an audit of the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages has now commenced.

The Auditor-General responded on 20 April 2018 to correspondence from the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly MP dated 6 April 2018, requesting an audit of the administration of the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages (RJIP) program, specifically as it relates to the allocation of grant funding between electorates. The Acting Auditor-General followed-up on 23 January 2019 to advise Dr Kelly that an audit of the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages has now commenced.

The Auditor-General responded on 27 November 2018 to correspondence from Senator Hanson-Young dated 26 October 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the use of grant funding from the Connections Project.

The Auditor-General has responded to a request from Mr Pat Conroy MP dated 28 September 2018, asking that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of aspects of the Government advertising campaign: Powering Forward.

The Auditor-General responded on 24 August 2018 to a request from Mr Ross Vasta MP dated 30 July 2018, asking that the Auditor-General consider correspondence from the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Brisbane) dated 12 July 2018. The association is requesting an audit of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Spectrum Management & Analysis Section project that installed radio monitoring infrastructure on Mount Petrie. 

The Auditor-General responded on 21 August 2018 to correspondence from Dr Jim Chalmers MP and Ms Michelle Rowland MP dated 26 July 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an assurance review of the financial assumptions underpinning the long-term economics of the NBN. 

The Auditor-General responded on 20 July 2018 to correspondence from the Hon. Catherine King MP dated 31 May 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the listing of afatinib (Giotrif^®) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). 

The Auditor-General responded on 19 April 2017, and followed-up on 19 July 2017 and 18 May 2018, to correspondence from the Hon. Wayne Swan MP dated 27 March 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the operation of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), its independence and the quality of the systems and analyses being implemented.

The Auditor-General responded on 18 May 2018 to correspondence from Senator Whish-Wilson dated 24 April 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the implementation of declaration of interest and conflict of interest policies by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

The Auditor-General responded on 23 November 2017 to correspondence from Senators Abetz, Paterson and Reynolds dated 27 October 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General undertake an examination of the administration and governance arrangements relating to the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Following a request from Senator Abetz on 17 January 2018 for a more detailed response, the Auditor-General followed-up on 5 April 2018.

The Auditor-General responded to, and then followed-up, correspondence from the Hon. Tony Burke MP dated 25 July 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation into allegations arising out of a recent Four Corners program concerning the Murray-Darling Basin.

The Auditor-General responded on 19 September 2017 to correspondence from Mr Stephen Jones MP dated 6 September 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General undertake an independent assessment of the project funding provided to Central Coast Group Training Ltd (CCGT) for the Central Coast Youth Skills and Employment Centres, and the administration of the Community Development Grants Program.

The Auditor-General responded on 14 December 2016, and followed-up on 19 July 2017, to correspondence from Senator Kakoschke-Moore on 14 November 2016 requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA).

The Acting Auditor-General responded on 11 May 2017, and the Auditor-General followed-up on 19 July 2017, to correspondence from Ms Cathy McGowan AO MP dated 10 April 2017. Ms McGowan had requested that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the Regional Australia Impact Statement process, which is administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

The Acting Auditor-General responded on 31 May 2017, and the Auditor-General followed-up on 19 July 2017, to correspondence from Mr Stephen Jones MP dated 15 May 2017. Mr Jones MP had requested that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the Community Development Grants Programme, administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, to provide an independent assessment of its administration.

The Auditor-General responded on 27 June 2017 to correspondence from Mr Andrew Wilkie MP dated 26 May 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of Centrelink's automated debt recovery programs.

The Auditor-General responded on 22 June 2017 to correspondence from Senator Sarah Hanson-Young dated 31 May 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the current and historical funding practices of the Catholic Education Commissions.

The Auditor-General responded on 27 February 2017 to correspondence from Dr Jim Chalmers MP dated 29 December 2016, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of aspects of the lease arrangements for the rifle range at Malabar Headland in New South Wales (NSW).

The Auditor-General responded on 17 January 2017 to correspondence from the Hon. Linda Burney MP on 5 January 2017 requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the Centrelink debt recovery and welfare integrity programs.

The Deputy Auditor-General responded on 5 January 2017 to correspondence from the Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP on 4 November 2016 requesting the Auditor-General investigate if grants awarded under the Apprenticeship Training Alternative Delivery Pilots program represented value for money for the Australian taxpayer.

The Auditor-General responded on 2 December 2016 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Stephen Parry, President of the Senate, on 14 October 2016, regarding a resolution agreed by the Senate requesting that the Auditor-General conduct a performance audit assessing the procurement of services related to the National Cancer Screening Register.

The Auditor-General responded on 10 November 2016 to correspondence from The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP on 13 October 2016 requesting the ANAO include the impact of the Australian Government’s proposed relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Authority in its current performance audit of Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine (agvet) Regulatory Reform.

The Auditor-General responded on 9 September 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP on 15 June 2016 regarding the appropriateness of arrangements concerning the Liberal Party of Australia entity Parakeelia Pty Ltd.

The Auditor-General responded on 22 August 2016 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon on 20 May 2016 requesting a performance audit of the Command and Control System selection for the SEA 1000 Future Submarine Project.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 18 May 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Anthony Albanese MP on 16 January 2016 regarding the ANAO performance audit of the approval and administration of Commonwealth funding for the WestConnex Project.

The Auditor-General (A/g) wrote on 18 May 2016 to Senator Lee Rhiannon regarding the ANAO performance audit of the approval and administration of Commonwealth funding for the WestConnex Project. This is a follow-up to correspondence with Senator Rhiannon published on 8 September 2015.

The Auditor-General responded on 9 May 2016 to correspondence from Ms Catherine King MP on 22 April 2016 regarding comments made by Ms Sophie Mirabella in relation to Commonwealth funding for Wangaratta Hospital.

The Auditor-General responded on 26 April 2016 to correspondence from Mr Pat Conroy MP on 16 February 2016 regarding the government advertising campaign Welcome to the Ideas Boom.

The Auditor-General responded on 6 April 2016 to correspondence from Senator Hanson-Young on 30 March 2016 regarding Refugee resettlement deal established between the Commonwealth Government of Australia and the Kingdom of Cambodia in September of 2014.

The Auditor-General responded on 8 March 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP on 18 February 2016 regarding Goulburn Murray Water Connections Project 2 (GMWCP2).

The Auditor-General responded on 14 January 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Catherine King MP on 22 October 2015, on the project agreement for the Health and Hospitals Fund – 2010 Regional Priority Round Project in Palmerston.

The Auditor-General responded on 11 December 2015 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Doug Cameron on 30 October 2015 regarding systems and processes within the Department of Human Services (DHS) that go to the security of citizens' identity.

The Auditor-General responded on 9 December 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Shayne Neumann MP on 7 September 2015 regarding Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

The Auditor-General responded on 1 December 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 29 October and 5 November 2015, on the advertising campaign promoting Free Trade Agreements in Asia.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 6 October 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Richard Marles MP on 30 August 2015 regarding training that has been provided to officials within Australian Border Force (ABF) since its inception on 1 July.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 24 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Glenn Lazarus on 10 September 2015 regarding National Stronger Regions Fund.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 24 September 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Warren Truss MP on 18 September 2015 regarding probity and conflict of interest arrangements in place for the OneSKY Australia programme being led by Airservices Australia.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Mr Tim Watts MP on 28 August 2015 regarding Liberal Party misappropriation of parliamentary entitlements.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Ms Julie Collins MP on 1 September 2015 regarding parliamentary entitlements paid to Liberal MPs and Senators.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon on 8 September 2015 regarding florist at Parliament House, DPS and LGW Design.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Alannah MacTiernan MP on 7 September 2015 regarding the Perth Freight Link Project in Western Australia.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 15 September 2015 to correspondence from Ms Michelle Rowland MP on 7 September 2015 regarding administration of the Mobile Black Spot Program.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 15 September 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP on 11 September 2015 regarding Murray-Darling Basin Authority's (MDBA) implementation of the Basin Plan.

The Auditor-General responded on 8 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Lee Rhiannon on 10 August 2015 regarding the WestConnex road building project in NSW.

The Auditor-General responded on 2 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 3 June 2015 on the Australian bid for the football World Cup.

The Auditor-General responded on 6 August 2015 to correspondence from Senator Lee Rhiannon on 22 July 2015 regarding Bronwyn Bishop's use of entitlements to pay $5,000 for a charter flight.

The Auditor-General responded on 20 January 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 9 December 2014 and Senator the Hon Kim Carr of 15 January 2015, on the advertising campaign on higher education issues.

The Auditor-General responded on 30 July 2014 to questions raised on 26 May 2014 by Senator the Hon Penny Wong on the appointment of Mr Peter Crone as head of Secretariat for the National Commission of Audit.

The Auditor-General responded on 14 August 2013 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 12 August 2013 on the continuation of the Australian Government’s By boat, no visa advertising campaign during the caretaker period.

The Auditor-General responded on 1 August 2013 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 22 July 2013 on the By boat, no visa advertising campaign.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the design and implementation of the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP).

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA’s) management of the compensation claims backlog.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the award of funding under Department of Defence’s (Defence’s) Industry grants programs was consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines (CGRGs).

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Services Australia’s compliance with domestic and international travel requirements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) management of small business taxpayer debt.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the selected entities’ administration of Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI) requests is effective in giving the community access to Australian Government information.

The objective of this audit is to examine whether the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) has implemented a selection of Auditor-General recommendations.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the management of funding under the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support services program was effective in achieving the program objectives and consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (Health) development and monitoring of suicide prevention measures.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water (DCCEEW) and Australian Renewable Energy Authority’s (ARENA) delivery of the Community Batteries for Household Solar program.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) administration of investigations.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether Indigenous corporations are being effectively supported and regulated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Snowy Hydro Limited's (SHL) management of the delivery of Snowy 2.0 in support of achieving value for money.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether procurements conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Security Enhancement Program achieved value for money and complied with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the expected benefits from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Security Enhancements Programs (SEP) have been realised.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of procurement reforms — follow on from Auditor-General Report No. 5 2022–23 Digital Transformation Agency’s Procurement of ICT-Related Services.

The objective of this audit is examine whether Department of Defence's (Defence’s) management of the Strategic Domestic Munitions Manufacturing (SDMM) contract has achieved value for money and the effective delivery of the contracted arrangements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission’s (NDIS Commission's) regulatory functions.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ (DISR) management of domestic and international travel in accordance with legislative and entity requirements.

The objective of this audit is to examine the effectiveness of the procurement and contract management of onshore-manufactured antivenoms and vaccines.

The objective of this audit is to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ (the department) administration of the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme).

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) and Services Australia’s management of the age pension.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) compliance with domestic and international travel requirements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General’s (the Office’s) management of official residences and other assets.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is effectively managing the delivery of the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) to achieve program outcomes.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Services Australia’s management of the privacy of client information.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) regulation of registered company auditors.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s (ACIC) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) compliance with domestic and international travel requirements.

The objective of this audit is to examine whether the Office of Parliamentary Counsel’s procurement and contract management of the new Federal Register of Legislation project complied with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and demonstrated the achievement of value for money.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ (Infrastructure) management of the service delivery agreements for the Australian external territories is effective.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) effectively applies the cost recovery principles of the Australian Government’s cost recovery policy.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Department of Defence (Defence) has complied with gifts, benefits and hospitality requirements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of implementation design and measurement of progress for early childhood development and schooling commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness to date of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (LAND 400 Phase 3).

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness to date of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) planning and implementation of the Collins Class Life of Type Extension.

Justice reinvestment is a long-term, community-led approach that aims to prevent crime, address the drivers of contact with the justice system, and improve justice outcomes for First Nations peoples in a particular place or community. Justice reinvestment aligns with Outcomes 10 and 11 and the Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to reduce the overrepresentation of young people and adults in the criminal justice system. In the October 2022 Budget $69 million was committed over 4 years (from 2022–23) to establish a National Justice Reinvestment Program to support up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives, with ongoing funding of $20 million per year from 2026–27. In the 2023–24 Budget, an additional $10 million was committed over 4 years to support place-based justice reinvestment initiatives in the Central Australia region of the Northern Territory. Funding was delivered through open, non-competitive grant funding rounds. As of May 2025, information in relation to 25 grant agreements had been published valued at $55.4 million across the two funding rounds (with two assessment cycles in each round). A potential audit would examine the award of funding was in accordance with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the administration of grants awarded under the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program (Safe Places), including compliance with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles, and management of the grants across the Safe Places program life cycle.

Safe Places is a capital works program funding the building, renovation or purchase of emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. There have been two rounds of funding. Under successive National Plans to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, the Australian Government has committed over $170 million over seven years to Safe Places ($72.6 million for round 1 from 2020–21 to 2024–25, and $100 million for round 2 from 2022–23 to 2026–2027). The first round of grants, awarded in 2020, was intended to deliver new emergency and crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. The second round of grants, was awarded in 2024 and was designed to focus on improving access to appropriate emergency accommodation for First Nations women and children, women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women and children with disability.

The audit will examine the effectiveness of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s (WGEA’s) management of compliance with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (the Act).

The Act requires non-public sector employers with 100 or more employees to submit an annual report containing data on workplace gender equality to the WGEA. Employers with 500 or more employees must also comply with minimum standards for gender equality. Employers that fail to comply with the Act may be publicly named by the WGEA and may be excluded from tendering for Australian Government contracts, receiving Australian Government grants, or tendering for contracts with some state governments. On 30 March 2023, the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 was passed, which requires the WGEA to publish employer gender pay gaps for private sector and Commonwealth public sector employers, and from 2024, employees will have access to information about their employer’s performance on pay parity.

The audit may examine the WGEA’s use and assurance of data, identification and monitoring of non-compliant employers, and certification of compliance. The audit may also examine whether non-compliant employers have been awarded Australian Government contracts and grants.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Finance’s administration of the governance and accountability framework for Government Business Enterprises (GBE), including its support and advice to the Minister for Finance, who is a GBE shareholder minister. The audit may also review entities’ implementation of framework requirements and expectations set out in the GBE guidelines.

A GBE is a Commonwealth entity or Commonwealth company that is prescribed pursuant to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and related Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014. Ten GBEs have been prescribed. Two GBEs are corporate Commonwealth entities: Australian Postal Corporation; and Defence Housing Australia. Eight GBEs are Commonwealth companies: ASC Pty Limited; Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd; Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited; CEA Technologies Pty Limited; National Intermodal Corporation Limited; NBN Co Limited; Snowy Hydro Limited; and WSA Co Limited. The Department of Finance provides advice to the Australian Government relating to its GBEs and other commercial entities.

Construction of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is underway and expected to begin operations in 2026. The Australian Government is investing in WSI and has established a Commonwealth company, the Western Sydney Airport Corporation (WSA Co), to deliver the airport by 2026.

This audit will assess the effectiveness of WSA Co’s strategies to manage the transition from building the infrastructure to operating the Western Sydney Airport.

The Australian Government undertakes investments through a range of models, including private sector investments, to achieve policy and investment outcomes. This audit would assess the effectiveness of the management of a selection of investments to ensure value for money, transparency and return on the investment is achieved. The audit would consider design, implementation, oversight, governance and reporting arrangements for the selected investments.

This audit would assess to what extent the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and its subsidiary Inland Rail Pty Limited has effectively managed its procurement and contracts for Inland Rail.

Inland Rail is a key government infrastructure project. It involves building and operating a freight train line from Brisbane to Melbourne. Construction started in 2018 with sections between Beveridge VIC and Parkes NSW expected to be finished in 2027. Design and approvals works are underway for the Parkes NSW to Ebenezer Qld line. Since 2018, there has been more than $3.8 billion in contracts awarded.

In October 2022, the Australian Government announced an independent review into Inland Rail. This was completed in April 2023 and made 19 recommendations. The government responded to the review in April 2023. One of the independent review’s recommendations was the establishment of a subsidiary of ARTC to deliver the Inland Rail project. Inland Rail Pty Limited (IRPL) was established as a subsidiary of ARTC in July 2023.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s (Health’s) implementation of star ratings for residential aged care.

The star ratings system was introduced in December 2022. An overall star rating and star ratings in four categories (compliance, residents’ experience, staffing and quality measures) are assigned to residential aged care services on a public facing website (My Aged Care) operated by Health. The star rating system aims to help older Australians and their representatives make more informed choices about their care and to help aged care providers to see where they are performing well and how they can improve. In October 2024 the Commonwealth Ombudsman made a public statement expressing a view that star ratings were not sufficiently meaningful to help people make informed decisions about their aged care. From November to December 2024 Health ran a consultation process on planned design changes to star ratings. Health has stated that an evaluation report was expected to be provided to the Australian Government in early 2025.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s; the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority’s; and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s exercise of functions in relation to supporting residential aged care provider viability.

In 2023, the Aged Care Taskforce reviewed funding arrangements for aged care and noted that structural issues mean that the residential aged care sector’s financial viability is poor. Five recommendations were specifically aimed at modernising accommodation funding and improving viability. The government’s September 2024 response to the recommendations included commitments to changes to ensure residential aged care providers have the funds they need to invest in residents’ comfort, keep facilities open and build new facilities; and reviews of accommodation pricing and the accommodation supplement. Regulatory changes are anticipated with the commencement of the Aged Care Act 2024 on 1 November 2025. The Act includes provisions designed to support the viability of for-profit and not-for-profit residential aged care providers.

The audit will assess the effectiveness of selected entities in meeting one or more Australian Government requirements related to climate change and may assess the effectiveness of policy owners with respect to supporting entities to meet requirements.

The Australian Government has developed policies and requirements aimed at supporting the public service to respond to climate change. These include: APS Net Zero Emissions by 2030; the Climate Risk and Opportunity Management Program; and the Commonwealth Climate Disclosure policy.

• APS Net Zero Emissions by 2030 aims to support the achievement of net zero in government operations by 2030. It includes the requirement for non-corporate Commonwealth entities to develop Emissions Reductions Plans.
• The Climate Risk and Opportunity Management Program aims to support entities to consider climate risk and opportunities as part of decision-making processes and enterprise risk management.
• The Commonwealth Climate Disclosure policy is the Government’s policy for Commonwealth entities and Commonwealth companies to publicly report on their exposure to climate risks and opportunities, as well as their actions to manage them, delivering transparent and consistent climate disclosures to the Australian public.

This audit would assess whether the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA’s) procurement of counselling service providers for the Open Arms program has been conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

Open Arms is a counselling service for Australian veterans and their families, provided through DVA. Open Arms counselling is delivered by a national network of mental health professionals, both in Open Arms centres across the country and by partnerships with private psychologists and social workers, called Outreach Program Counsellors (OPCs). In 2022–23, 323,874 Open Arms services were provided to 43,134 veterans and their families with the program costing $115.6 million. In February 2024, DVA commenced a procurement process to develop a panel of OPCs. The establishment of the panel is expected to be completed by 30 June 2024.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of the Australian Government’s response to scams in Australia.

Scams are a growing threat to Australian consumers and businesses, with financial losses to scams reported to be at least $3.1 billion in 2022 (a 72 per cent increase on losses recorded in 2021). In 2021–22, 65 per cent of Australians were exposed to a scam attempt, up from 55 per cent in the previous year. Since 1 July 2023, the National Anti Scam Centre in the ACCC has aimed to link government organisations, industry and Australians to work together to prevent scam activity. From 1 July 2026 the Scams Prevention Framework, coordinated by the Department of the Treasury will come into effect. This is expected to formalise the work of the department in coordinating scam prevention efforts with industry.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the early implementation of the Rewiring the Nation program. The Australian Government allocated $20 billion to establish the Rewiring the Nation program in the October 2022–23 Federal Budget. The Rewiring the Nation Office in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is responsible for managing the program, the Australian Energy Market Operator will act as a technical advisor, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will act as the financing arm.

The program has supported several transmission projects including VNI West (KerangLink) between Victoria and NSW; Sydney Ring – Hunter Transmission Project; Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zones; HumeLink; and the Marinus Link between Tasmania and Victoria.

This audit would assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) management of taxpayers involved in the ATO’s Client Identity Support Centre (CISC).

When an individual has had their identity compromised, the ATO through the CISC supports the taxpayer to continue to participate in the taxation and superannuation system with further safeguards around their ATO account, and monitoring processes over their tax records.

This audit would examine whether the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) procurement activities are complying with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and demonstrating the achievement of value for money.

This audit would examine the stand up and early implementation of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) to provide assurance that the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Health) has administered UCC funding appropriately and is monitoring and evaluating the performance of UCCs to ensure the model is meeting its objectives and achieving value for money. Health describes the purpose of UCCs as helping to reduce pressure on hospitals and emergency departments, through providing urgent care in a general practitioner setting that is open seven days a week, early and late.

The October 2022–23 Federal Budget included $235 million over four years to commence the roll-out of 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs). In the 2023–24 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced $358.5 million over five years to establish 58 UCCs. In the 2024–25 Federal Budget, the government announced a further $227.0 million to boost the capacity of UCCs including by establishing another 29 UCCs, for a total of 87. In March 2025, the Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Aged Care committed an additional $644 million to open another 50 UCCs, with more clinics planned in every state and territory.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission’s (the NDIS Commission’s) management of the restrictive practices undertaken by NDIS providers to NDIS clients.

Section 9 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act) defines a restrictive practice as any practice or intervention that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 certain restrictive practices are subject to regulation. The NDIS Commission has regulated restrictive practices under the NDIS since the entity was established in 2018. This includes monitoring the use of regulated restrictive practices and promoting their reduction and elimination.

Across the four quarters of 2022–23, an average of 4,480 participants were subject to unauthorised restrictive practices, and an average of 12,253 participants were subject to regulated restrictive practices.

This audit would assess whether the arrangements under the Federation Funding Agreement (FFA) framework are effective in supporting payment and program objectives. On 28 August 2020, the Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) implemented new governance arrangements for Commonwealth-state funding agreements, known as the Federation Funding Agreements (FFA) Framework. The sectoral FFAs covering Health, Education and Skills, Infrastructure, Environment, and Affordable Housing, Community Services and Other, consolidated all existing National Partnership Agreements, Streamlined Agreements and Project Agreements as schedules.

This audit would examine FFA Framework arrangements, through sample arrangements or through specific programs, for example the Housing Support Program.

This audit would assess whether entities’ procurement activities have been conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules as applicable.

The National Intelligence Community (NIC) was officially formed in 2017 and comprises agencies from the Home Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolios. This audit would examine whether the procurement activities of selected NIC entities have demonstrated value for money and were appropriately managed. It would include procurements used to develop capabilities of individual NIC agencies, as well as those that are for a shared capability across the sector.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of Services Australia administration of Medicare Compensation Recovery.

Medicare compensation recovery aims to recover any Medicare benefits, nursing home benefits, residential care, or home care government subsidies paid to a claimant resulting from compensable injury or illness. When a person receives a lump sum compensation payment of more than $5000, they may have to pay the costs of these back to the Australian Government before they receive their compensation payment. In 2023–24 46,634 cases were finalised and $29.2 million in benefits was recovered.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ (DISR) policies, program and stewardship to support safe and responsible use of new and emerging technologies in Australia, including Artificial Intelligence.

In February 2025 the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit released its report Inquiry into the use and governance of artificial intelligence systems by public sector entities — ‘Proceed with Caution’ that noted the need for continuing work in this area given the rapid nature of change.

The audit will assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s (Health) and Services Australia’s approach to health provider compliance, including their response to the 2023 Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance (the Philip Review). The audit will also examine the Professional Services Review Scheme, which investigates referred cases of possible inappropriate practice in relation to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Health has policy responsibility for Medicare, the CDBS and the PBS. Through its Health Benefit Compliance Program, Health aims to support the integrity of health benefit claims through prevention, early identification and treatment of incorrect claiming, inappropriate practice and fraud. Auditor-General Report No. 17 2020–21 Managing Health Provider Compliance found that Health’s approach to health provider compliance was partially effective, due in part to a lack of risk-based compliance planning and monitoring of compliance outcomes. The Philip Review made a number of recommendations to Health and Services Australia to strengthen the integrity of the Medicare system and its health provider compliance mechanisms. In the 2023–24 Federal Budget, Health received $29.8 million to establish a taskforce to respond to the Philip Review’s recommendations. In the 2024–25 Budget, Health received $18.1 million over four years to extend and expand the government’s response to the Philip Review.

This audit would examine the Department of Social Services’ (the department’s) management of its Data Exchange (DEX) performance reporting portal.

DEX is a web portal that allows providers receiving government funding to report on program outputs (such as the number of clients assisted) and outcomes (such as improvements in clients’ health and wellbeing). It is underpinned by three principles: providers should spend less time collecting and reporting administrative data and more time helping clients; data collection should focus on client outcomes; and client personal information and privacy is protected. The department uses DEX as the data source for three corporate plan performance measures under its Families and Communities and Disability and Carers programs. DEX has also been extended to other Commonwealth and state government programs, including grant programs delivered through DSS’s Community Grants Hub. While the department is responsible for managing DEX, Services Australia has operated the portal since 2021 as part of its delivery of shared ICT services for the department.

The audit would examine the effectiveness of the administration of the PALM scheme. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is Australia’s primary temporary migration program and supports Australia’s strategic interests in the Pacific. The PALM scheme helps to fill unskilled to semi-skilled jobs in rural and regional Australia, and in agriculture and food processing nationally, by offering eligible employers access to a pool of workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste. The PALM scheme is managed by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 2023–24, the PALM Scheme’s administered expense budget was $11.0 million. As at 30 June 2024, there were 34,230 workers participating in PALM with 478 participating employers.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s management of the Defence estate.

Defence is projected to spend at least $12.2 billion over the forward estimates on sustaining its estate. The Defence estate consists of around 700 owned and leased properties, comprising 25,000 buildings and 6,000 other structural assets, including critical infrastructure and facilities such as military bases, wharves, ports, airbases, training ranges, fuel and explosive ordnance infrastructure. A number of strategic reviews conducted over the last 10 to 15 years have made recommendations relevant to Defence’s estate and infrastructure. This audit would examine Defence’s implementation of those recommendations, including those arising from the 2023 Defence Strategic Review.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of measures the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility has taken to strengthen the integrity and transparency in decision making regarding funding decisions for projects. As at 30 June 2024, there was $4.4 billion in committed loans.

Auditor-General Report No. 33 2018–19 Governance and Integrity of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility made six recommendations.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of Defence’s management of the disposal of specialist military equipment.

At 30 June 2024, Defence reported that it manages $145.9 billion of total assets, including $88.6 billion of specialist military equipment. When one of these items is no longer suitable for or is surplus to Defence’s requirements, Defence disposes of it by either: transferring it to an Australian Government agency or another government, selling it, gifting it or destroying it. An audit would examine whether the disposal of selected equipment was conducted in accordance with Defence policy and applicable Commonwealth legislative requirements.