The acting Auditor-General responded on 27 June 2024 to correspondence from Senator Andrew Bragg dated 5 June 2024, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the contract for legal services between King & Wood Mallesons and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources regarding PSI Quantum.

The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of the integration of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

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 1 July 2021 to correspondence from the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP and Mr Tim Watts MP dated 5 June 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General consider initiating a performance audit into the use of provisional ICT accreditation within Defence. 

The Auditor-General responded on 26 April 2023 to correspondence from the Hon David Coleman MP dated 29 March 2023 and 12 April 2023, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct a full investigation into the design and administration of Round 6 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.

The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ administration of NRAS allocations; processing of market rent valuations, statements of compliance and incentive payments; and the supporting business systems and processes.

The ABHI campaign is an information campaign, largely in cooperation with other states (excl Victoria) which promotes improved public health and reduced incidence of chronic disease. This component of the campaign takes a culturally relevant approach and includes advertising content and messages delivered through Indigenous media channels.

The objective of this audit was to examine whether the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is being effectively administered, with the appropriate management of risks.

The objective of the Liquids Aerosols and Gels (LAGS) Trials is to assess the capability of various screening technologies to detect explosives in LAGs, with the ultimate objective of providing information to the Australian Government on the effectiveness and efficiency of the screening technology (in aviation security). The proposed public awareness strategy aims to raise awareness of the Trials amongst the travelling public, encourage their participation, and inform them of their rights and obligations during the Trials.

The Digital Switchover campaign aims to provide all Australians with a smooth transition from analogue to digital television by 31 December 2013. The first phase of this campaign aims to raise awareness and provide general information to people about the Digital Switchover. This phase includes the introduction of a labelling scheme, to identify whether TVs are digital ready or require a set top box.

The campaign's objectives are to encourage people, for whom English is not a convenient language, to lodge an 07/08 tax return and to update their address and direct deposit details with the ATO, to manage expectations about the arrival date for the payments and provide information about what to do if the payments are not received.

The campaign's objectives are to encourage people to lodge an 07/08 tax return and to update their address and direct deposit details with the ATO, to manage expectations about the arrival date for the payments and provide information about what to do if the payments are not received.

The campaign is a community awareness campaign designed to raise awareness of Australia's quarantine laws and of the particular risks of bringing foreign items into Australia.

First Home Saver Accounts are a new initiative to assist eligible Australians to save for their first home through a combination of government contributions and low taxes, in superannuation style savings accounts with account providers. The campaign will set the context for the new initiative and raise awareness. The campaign elements are to articulate the eligibility criteria, individual obligations, entitlements and accessibility rules, as well as explain the respective roles and responsibilities of account providers and government administrators and regulators.

The Auditor-General responded on 17 June 2021 to correspondence from the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, MP dated 21 May 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine how part-time members of the Social Services and Child Support Division and “sessional part-time members” in the Migration and Refugee Division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal are being remunerated. 

The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, MP on 17 December 2021. 

The ABHI campaign is an information campaign, largely in cooperation with other states (excl Victoria) which promotes improved public health and reduced incidence of chronic disease. The campaign aims to update public perceptions on lifestyle choices and risk factors leading to obesity and resultant disease. It is anticipated that people will take positive action to be more active and modify their diet, leading to a reduction in instances of diseases.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of tobacco excise and excise equivalent goods.

The overall aim of the National Drugs Campaign is to contribute to a reduction in the uptake of illicit drugs among young Australians, by raising awareness of the harms associated with drug use and encouraging and supporting decisions not to use. It is also intended to encourage young people using methamphetamines to reconsider their use and direct them to relevant support, counselling and treatment services.

The campaign for the National STI Prevention Program is designed to inform young Australians aged 15-29 years about the transmission, symptoms, treatment and prevention of STIs, and encourage safe sexual behaviour to contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of sexually transmissible infections among this age group.

The campaign's objectives are to encourage people to lodge an 07/08 tax return and to update their address and direct deposit details with the ATO, to manage expectations about the arrival date for the payments and provide information about what to do if the payments are not received.

The campaign's objectives are to raise awareness of the harms and costs to young people, their families, communities and society associated with drinking to intoxication, to encourage young people and their parents to question the acceptability and impact of intoxicated behaviour, to highlight the influence that parental attitudes to alcohol misuse and adult behaviour and drinking to intoxication can have on others and provide referral and support information for those who recognise a need to seek help.

The objective of the Liquids Aerosols and Gels (LAGS) Trials is to assess the capability of various screening technologies to detect explosives in LAGs, with the ultimate objective of providing information to the Australian Government on the effectiveness and efficiency of the screening technology (in aviation security). The proposed public awareness strategy aims to raise awareness of the Trials amongst the travelling public, encourage their participation, and inform them of their rights and obligations during the Trials.

The acting Auditor-General responded on 24 September 2024 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck dated 27 August 2024, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme.

The objectives of the campaign are to increase knowledge and awareness of the Education Tax Refund, the need to keep receipts, eligibility requirements, and how to claim the refund, with the overall objective of encouraging eligible Australians to make a claim for a rebate.

This phase of the campaign (phase two) is designed to communicate information and raise awareness about the First Home Owners Boost amongst potential first home buyers, through limited media (print/ radio/ digital/ outdoor advertisement) supported by marketing collateral.

The Economic Security Strategy (ESS) campaign is intended to inform the community of aspects of the Australian Government's response to the global financial crisis. This campaign is designed to raise awareness of the financial assistance, in the form of lump sum payments, including access and eligibility requirements. Phase One is targeted at over five million pensioners, carers, seniors, people with a disability, veterans and families.

The Auditor-General responded on 20 August 2021 to correspondence from Mr Julian Hill MP dated 26 July 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the efficiency, effectiveness, quality and integrity of partner visa processing by the Department of Home Affairs. 

The Auditor-General has received follow-up correspondence from Mr Julian Hill MP dated 27 August 2021.

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 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 objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of Army’s workforce planning.

The objective of the audit was to examine Defence’s progress since 2007 in introducing into service a fully capable Tiger fleet and cost-effective sustainment arrangements.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the award of funding under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages program was informed by appropriate departmental advice and that processes complied with the grants administration framework.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness and value for money of Defence’s acquisition of a Battle Management System and a Tactical Communications Network through Land 200 Tranche 2 Work Packages B–D.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office in achieving revenue commitments established under specific Budget-funded compliance measures.

The objective of this audit was to assess whether appropriate steps were taken to protect the Commonwealth's interests and obtain value for money in respect to the $3.5 billion in Commonwealth funding committed to the NSW Government for the WestConnex project.

This information report seeks to provide greater transparency on procurement activity in the Australian public sector. This information report is neither an audit nor an assurance review and presents no conclusions or opinions. The report is presented in a variety of ways, including tables and figures, publicly available data from public sector procurement activity recorded in AusTender.

The ANAO gifts and benefits policy recommends that ANAO employees do not accept any gifts or benefits in their role as an employee of the ANAO. Employees are required to report any offered gift or benefit (whether accepted or refused) within 10 business days of the offer being made, through an internal gifts and benefits register. The data collected through the internal register is reported to the ANAO’s Executive Board of Management, and a subset of the data is reported publicly here.

The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services' (DSS) administration of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS), with a focus on the assessment of applications, and management of reserved allocations.

The aim of Audit Lessons is to communicate lessons from our audit work and to make it easier for people working within the Australian public sector to apply those lessons.

This edition is targeted at security, information communications technology (ICT) and human resources officials responsible for managing ICT system access and the offboarding process for employees and contractors separating from an entity.

The objective of this audit was to assess whether the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is efficiently delivering services to veterans and their dependents.

The objectives of this information report are to provide transparency of, and insights on, government grants expense and Commonwealth entities’ self-reporting of grants on GrantConnect.

The Auditor-General is responsible for managing the ANAO within the arrangements of the broader Australian Public Service. These obligations are met by being transparent and reporting on the ANAO activities and operations.

The objective of this information report is to provide transparency and insights on the governing boards of Commonwealth entities and companies and the membership of these boards.

The purpose of this information report is to provide transparency of, and insights on, Commonwealth entities’ self-reporting of procurement contracts on AusTender. This information report is neither an audit or assurance review and presents no conclusions or opinions. The report is presented in a variety of ways, including tables, figures, and publicly available data from public sector procurement activity recorded in AusTender.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2003. It includes a comment by the Auditor-General; an overview of the report; a report on performance; details about management and accountability, and the financial statement for the year.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2002. It includes a comment by the Auditor-General on Audit independence and effectiveness; an overview of the Auditor-General’s role and responsibilities; a report on performance; details about management and accountability, and the financial statement for the year.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2004. It includes highlights and areas of focus for the year; an introduction by the Auditor-General; an overview of the report; a report on performance; details about management and accountability, and the financial statement for the year.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, Address to University of Canberra students participating in the Graduate Certificate in Performance Auditing

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2006. It includes highlights and areas of focus for the coming year; a forward by the Auditor-General; an overview of the report; a report on performance; details about management and accountability, and the financial statement for the year.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2008. It includes highlights and areas of focus for the coming year; a forward by the Auditor-General; an overview of the report; a report on performance; details about management and accountability, and the financial statement for the year.

The report summarises performance audit, financial statement audit and other related activities for the ANAO for the period July to December 2003. The key issues arising from performance audits tabled in this period are summarised against the ANAO themes. The report also summarises financial audits and other financial audit activities conducted by the ANAO during the period July to December 2003. It discusses significant issues such as the: consolidated financial statements and the final budget outcome; harmonisation of Australian Generally accepted accounting practices and Government Finance Statistics; adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards; timing for Financial Statements Preparation; and the audit of the CFS 2002-03.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2007. It includes highlights and areas of focus for the coming year; a forward by the Auditor-General; an overview of the report; a report on performance; details about management and accountability, and the financial statement for the year.

The report summarises the audit and other related activities of the ANAO in the period January to June 2001. Key issues arising from performance audits tabled in this period are summarised against ANAO themes of:

• corporate governance including human resource management, financial management, and performance information;
• service delivery including the impact of e-government;
• procurement and contract management; and
• information technology.

Appendix 1 of the Activity Report provides a short summary of each of the performance audits tabled between 1 January 2001 and 30 June 2001.

The report summarises the audit and other related activities of the ANAO in the period June to December 2000. It provides a consolidated report of the ANAO's integrated audit products tabled during the period. Key issues examined in the ANAO's performance audit activity in the period were:

• risk management in a corporate governance framework;
• outsourcing and asset sales;
• contract management;
• service delivery;
• data management/management information systems; and
• legislative implementation.

The report also summarised the results of a report summarising the final results of the audits of the financial statements of Commonwealth entities; and dealt with issues regarding financial management issues, controls and processes arising from the financial audit activities conducted during the period.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2005. It includes highlights and areas of focus for the year; a forward by the Auditor-General; an overview of the report; a report on performance; details about management and accountability, and the financial statement for the year.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2009. It includes a foreword by the Auditor-General, an overview of the Office, a report on performance, details about management and accountability, and the financial results.

This report summarises audit and other related activities of the Australian National Audit Office in the period January to June 1998.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Forum of Commonwealth Agencies Seminar, Sydney, NSW

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented an the Australasian Evaluation Society - International Conference

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Australia's Government Business Symposium, Melbourne

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, Address to ANZSOG Students at ANU

The Audit Activity Report: January to June 2003 summarises the activity and outputs of the Australian National Audit Office for the second half of the 2002-03 reporting year. The Report outlines the key findings of performance and financial control audits, and summarises audits tabled and better practice guides published during January to June 2003.

This report summarises audit and other related activities of the Australian National Audit Office in the period July to December 1998.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presentation to Macquarie University

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Canberra Evaluation Forum

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the ASCPA Annual Public Sector Accounting Convention, Canberra

The Audit Activity Report: July-December 2002 summarises performance audit, financial audit and other related activities for the ANAO for the period. The key issues arising from the performance audits are summarised against the ANAO themes. The appendices in the report provide a short summary of each of the audits tabled for this period, the audits in progress as at 1 January 2003 and a list of the presentations and papers given by the Auditor-General and ANAO staff.

The Audit Activity Report: July to December 2004 summarises the activity and outputs of the Australian National Audit Office for the first half of the 2004-05 reporting year. The Report outlines the key findings of performance and financial control audits, and summarises audits tabled and better practice guides during July to December 2004.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AO) - Auditor-General for Australia, an Occasional Paper

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, address presented at the Australian National University

The report summarises the audit and other related activities of the ANAO in the period January to June 2002. Key issues arising from performance audits tabled in this period are summarised. Appendix 1 of the Activity Report provides a short summary of each of the audits tabled between 1 January 2002 and 30 June 2002.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, Address to University of Canberra Students - Graduate Certificate in Performance Audit

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2010. It includes a foreword by the Auditor-General, an overview including the role and responsibilities and vision of the Office, a report on performance, details about management and accountability, and the financial results.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the National Public Sector Accountants Conference; Sydney

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Canberra Evaluation Forum

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Defence and Strategic Studies Course, Australian Defence College, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Central Agency Broker Seminar - Towards a Best Practice Australian Public Service - Hobart

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the 2nd Annual New Directions in Australian Auditing Accounting Standards Conference

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Senate Occasional Lecture Series

This report is the second in a series of reports to be tabled at six-monthly intervals. It summarises the audit and other activities of the ANAO in the period July to December 1997.

This report summarises audit and other related activities of the Australian National Audit Office in the period January to June 1999.

This report is an information document summarising the audit activities of the ANAO in the period January to June 1997.

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2012. It presents an overview including the role and vision of the Office, a report on performance, details about management and accountability, and the financial results.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented an Occasional Paper

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Public Seminar Series, Graduate Program in Public Policy, 'Democratic Governance: Improving the Institutions of Accountability', The Australian National University

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Department of Finance and Administration's Learning Centre Lecture Series

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Third ACAG Conference, Canberra

This was a follow-up of Audit Report No. 40 of 1997-98, Purchase of Hospital Services from State Governments. That audit examined the administration by the Department of Veterans' Affairs of the Purchase of Hospital Services from State Governments. The objective of this audit was to assess the extent to which the Department had implemented the nine recommendations of Report No. 40, taking account of any changed circumstances or administrative issues that the Department identified as affecting their implementation; and to offer continued assurance to the Parliament on the management of the purchase of hospital services.

This report summarises audit and other related activities of the Australian National Audit Office in the period July to December 1999.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented an Occasional Paper

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ending on 30 June 2011. It includes a foreword by the Auditor-General, an overview including the role and vision of the Office, a report on performance, details about management and accountability, and the financial results.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at a Laboratory for Politicians and Top Managers from Different Public Institutions in Europe

The objectives for the audit were to assess the:

• economy, administrative effectiveness, and accountability of DVA's management of the purchase of hospital services from State and Territory governments; and
• strategies adopted by DVA to manage change associated with its purchase of hospital care services from State and Territory governments.

The twin aims were to provide assurance to stakeholders and to identify any area in which improvements could be made to achieve better results.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Attorney-General's Luncheon

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management - Washington

The audit examined whether the Department of Health and Ageing had the performance information necessary to administer the Australian Health Care Agreements. A strong focus of the audit was accountability for performance given the significant size of Commonwealth financial assistance, more than $29.6 billion over 5 years, provided to the States and Territories for the provision of health care services.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the PA Congress 1997:'CPAs for Today and Tomorrow', Adelaide

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Secretaries' Forum

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the PAA National Conference - Reshaping the Old: Charting the New - Public Management in the 1990s - Melbourne

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Sydney, 30 Sept

The report summarises the audit and other related activities of the ANAO in the period July to December 2001. Key issues arising from performance audits tabled in this period are summarised.

The objectives of the audit were to: assess whether financial delegations associated with the expenditure of public monies were determined, applied and managed in accordance with applicable legislation, Government policy and applicable internal controls; and identify better practices and recommend improvements as necessary to current practices.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the House of Representatives Occasional Seminar Series

The objective of the audit was to examine and report on the key management factors that assist in ensuring value for money in learning and development.

This report summarises audit and other related activities of the Australian National Audit Office in the period January to June 2000.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AO) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the National Institute for Governance Seminar, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Australian Communications Authority's Business Planning Workshop

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Global Working Group of Auditors-General, Stockholm, Sweden

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Lunchtime Seminar Series for Senior Officers, Sydney, NSW

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

The objective of this follow-up audit was to provide assurance to the Parliament on the cost-effectiveness of public sector travel by:

• ascertaining the degree of acceptance, and the extent of implementation, of the previous audit recommendations and better practice principles; and
• establishing whether organisations were managing travel effectively, taking into consideration recommendations and findings detailed in the above Audit Reports and the Better Practice Guide Public Sector Travel.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Challenges and Opportunities Seminar, Conducted by the Department of Finance, Canberra

The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of the management and control of program evaluation in the Australian Public Service. The ANAO made an assessment against criteria which were designed to test whether agencies were undertaking evaluations in a way which would enhance their overall effectiveness. The main issues examined were:

• approaches to evaluation planning;
• the conduct of individual evaluations;
• the quality of evaluation reports; and
• the impact of evaluations.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the FINEST User Network Annual Conference 1996, Leura, NSW

The objective of the audit was to report to Parliament on the ATO's management of its performance reporting within the outcomes and outputs framework and to identify potential areas for improvement in specifying, measuring, administering and reporting under that framework.

The objectives of this audit were to:

• provide assurance to the Parliament on the effectiveness of internal audit operations; and
• determine whether internal audit generally operates at, or near, recognised better practice.

The criteria used to measure internal audit effectiveness were based on four principles developed as part of the audit. These principles and criteria deal with the level of management support and authority; the use of a risk-focus to address client needs; the appropriate balance of skills and knowledge; and the use made of continuous improvement processes and measurement of performance effectiveness.

The objectives of the audit were to examine the benefits of diversity management in the APS and review the progress made towards equity in employment in the APS, including the EEO Program. It included:

• an assessment of the progress towards achieving equity across the APS and by individual agencies;
• an assessment of the quality of agency EEO programs;
• an assessment of the role of the PSMPC in approving agency EEO programs and monitoring trends across the service;
• a consideration of legal obligations and agencies compliance with these; and
• the possible risks to, and opportunities for, equity under the WRA.

The audit concentrated on evidence of overall progress, the relative performance of individual agencies, and the examination of observed and underlying trends.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Senior Staff of the Board of Audit - Tokyo, Japan

The audit's main objectives were to:

• examine the guidance on the use of confidentiality clauses in contracts and agencies' use of such clauses;
• develop criteria to assist agencies in determining what information in a contract is confidential; and
• assess the effectiveness of the existing accountability and disclosure arrangements for Commonwealth contracts.

The audit reviewed the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement (CSHA). CSHA is a joint arrangement between the Commonwealth and the States under which both the Commonwealth and the States contribute funding in the form of grants, which are used by State Housing Authorities to provide a variety of housing assistance programs to households on low incomes and those with special needs. The overall objective of the audit was to assess and report to Parliament on how effectively the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS - formerly the Department of Social Security) administered the CSHA and to identify any areas where improvements could be made.