The audit examined how well performance information for programs administered by the (now) Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) facilitates good decision-making and provides a suitable framework for control and accountability for performance.

This audit was undertaken in response to a request from the Prime Minister concerning matters primarily relating to travel allowance claims made by a former minister. The focus of the audit was on the administration of travel claims under the current policy arrangements and did not examine alternative models, which may involve policy issues, which are clearly matters for Government.

The objective of the audit was to evaluate the Department's performance in pursuit of selected PBS program objectives and outcomes, including to investigate and evaluate the economy, efficiency, administrative effectiveness and accountability of the management of the listing process as a significant element of the program. This involved a review of the developments in the listing process over recent years including: the establishment of a comprehensive database of major applications for PBS listing between 1991 and 1996, which facilitated a detailed analysis of the time taken to list drugs on the PBS schedule; a technical consultancy into the DHFS' Guidelines to industry for preparation of applications for PBS listing, and into the use of the economic analysis in assessing proposals for PBS listing; and a review of the selection process including the operations of the PBS advisory committees.

This edition of audit insights covers performance audit reports tabled in the Parliament during the third quarter of 2017-18. The focus is on the key learning that value for money can be significantly enhanced through officials engaged in a procurement ensuring they gain a full understanding of what is being purchased, for what outcome and the market they're operating in.

Physical Security Arrangements in Commonwealth Agencies, No.23 2002-2003 Protective security involves the total concept of information, personnel, physical, information technology and telecommunications security. The Commonwealth's Protective Security policy is outlined in the Protective Security Manual (PSM). It provides specific guidance to agencies on the protection of the Commonwealth's assets, personnel and clients from potential security threats. This audit evaluated the protective security policies and practices of seven Commonwealth agencies to determine whether they had established an appropriate physical security control framework based on the principles outlined in Part E of the Commonwealth's Protective Security Manual. The ANAO also examined whether agencies had considered the risks of, and developed an appropriate policy statement on, the physical security arrangements for employees who work from home.

This edition of audit insights draws together key learnings from Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) reports tabled in the Parliament of Australia from October to December 2017. It provides insights into policy and program design – evidence and evaluation, record keeping, and the Australian Government Procurement Contract Reporting information report.

In May 1997, the $1 billion Federation Fund was announced as part of the 1997-98 Budget to mark the Centenary of Federation. One component, the Federation Fund Major Projects ($906.8m), was to provide financial assistance to a number of major projects of national significance; by generating jobs in the construction industry and by making a significant and ongoing contribution to Australia and the Australian economy. Projects were expected to be geographically spread around Australia and well advanced, but not necessarily complete, by 2001. Commonwealth monies were intended to fully fund projects; augment existing funding; or match funding from other sources. The objective of the audit was to determine the extent to which the administration of the Federation Fund programme met identified better practice in relation to policy development and programme planning; the process of calling for, assessing, approving and announcing proposals; and ongoing programme and project management.

This is a report of an audit by the ANAO of the Australian Taxation Office's Income Matching System (IMS). The IMS is a computer-based system which identifies discrepancies between information in tax returns and external data. The main income types covered are dividends, interest, wages and salaries, pensions and benefits and prescribed payments. It also generates unmatched data and cases where assessments have not yet been issued.

In August 1997, Works Australia, a former business unit of the former Department of Administrative Services,was sold by the then Office of Asset Sales (OAS). For a price of $4.2 million, the purchaser acquired the assets of Works Australia and accepted certain liabilities. At the time the sale was completed, Works Australia held $43.7 million in cash belonging to Commonwealth agencies (known as client advances). ANAO programmed an audit to examine oversight of the post-sale contractual arrangements for each of the 307 Commonwealth client advances totalling $43.7 million transferred to the purchaser and found that the $43.7 million in client advances transferred to the purchaser of Works Australia in August 1997 has been effectively accounted for as of July 2001 by the Commonwealth agencies concerned. In addition, the relevant financial security arrangements over the Works Australia client advances have been effectively administered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Works Australia Sale Agreement by Finance.

In view of the significant level of investment by Commonwealth agencies in the implementation and production of Financial Management Information Systems (FMISs), the ANAO, in conjunction with Gartner, undertook a benchmarking study within the Commonwealth budget sector with the objective of determining and reporting on FMIS:

• implementation and production costs; and
• implementation timeframes.

The benchmarking study also provides some data on resource support, size, volume and utilisation of the FMIS information. These data and metrics have significant implications for FMIS product selection. This study follows on from ANAO Audit Report No.12 'Selection, Implementation and Management of Financial Management Information Systems in Commonwealth Agencies', which was tabled in September 2001. That report provided details of the results of FMIS selections and implementations across the same eight Commonwealth budget sector agencies (the Commonwealth peer group) considered in this benchmarking study.

The objective of the audit was to review AusAID's management of funding to Non-Government Organisations, to assess whether:

• the objectives of overseas development programs to be delivered by NGOs were clearly established;
• funding mechanisms for the delivery of aid programs by NGOs were clearly defined, consistently applied, and in compliance with the law; and
• whether AusAID could provide assurances that NGOs delivering development projects using Commonwealth monies are accountable for: proper expenditure of Commonwealth monies; the achievement of stated objectives; and the achievement of value for money.

The ANAO examined AusAID documentation on overseas development programs delivered by NGOs, looking particularly for clear objectives, performance measures, and evaluation mechanisms. Three levels of documentation were examined:

• government programs;
• grants schemes; and
• individual projects.

The ANAO concluded that DHAC's administration of the National Cervical Screening Program is generally sound. The ANAO found that the department has a key role in the Program by providing secretariat services and other support to the NAC, which provides policy advice to AHMAC, and by supporting initiatives to further develop the Program. Some areas of DHAC's administration of the Program provide examples of good practice. Related examples are the early identification of the need to monitor the Program, the early identification of possible data sources for monitoring, and the use of an independent body to provide advice, through the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, on performance indicators and data sources. A further example is DHAC's administration of the provision of cervical screening funding assistance to the States and Territories through Public Health Outcome Funding Agreements, which complies with the principles for sound Specific Purpose Payments program administration advocated by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit in their Report 362. On the other hand, the ANAO has identified areas for improvement in quality assurance for the analysis of Pap smears by pathology laboratories.

Members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have informal and formal complaint mechanisms available to them to address grievances. Initially, members are advised to seek resolution of their complaint at the lowest possible level, through the normal command channels and administrative arrangements. A member who is not satisfied that a complaint has been resolved in this manner may use the Redress of Grievance (ROG) system to submit a formal complaint to the commanding officer of the member's unit. The objective of this audit was to ascertain whether the ROG system could be refined to improve the efficiency and timeliness of processing of complaints while preserving the equity and transparency the current system provides.The Redress of Grievance system is clearly time-consuming and resource intensive. Some grievances have taken as long as four years to resolve. Some could be resolved by administrative means rather than through recourse to grievance processes. The system contains various inefficiencies that detract from its cost-effectiveness from the viewpoint of the ADF and individual members. In addition many members are unaware of the system or do not have a high level of confidence in its effectiveness.

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.

The Defence Estate comprises the land, buildings and other facilities that Defence uses across Australia. These facilities are vital to achieving the Defence mission - to prevent or defeat the use of armed force against Australia and its interests. The Estate has a gross replacement value of $14.8 billion. Defence Estate Organisation's (DEO's) Facilities Operations (FACOPS) Program delivers general maintenance and minor new works to Defence facilities on a regional basis across the country. DEO's Estate Operations and Planning Branch and its nine Regional Estate Centres are responsible for the FACOPS Program. Resources available for the Program have been reduced in recent years. The total DEO budget for 2000-01, which includes funds for capital works, facilities operations and property management, is $2.6 billion. Of this total, the FACOPS Program has a cash allocation of $213 million and an additional $15.6 million for employee expenses associated with the Program's 283 staff. The objective of the audit was to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of selected Defence facilities operations, including tendering and contracting, with a view to adding value with practical recommendations for enhancing operations.

The audit objectives were to review the extent to which the Government's sale objectives have been achieved; the effectiveness of the management of the share offer and share buy-back processes; the management and reporting arrangements associated with on-going Commonwealth exposures; and the consideration of improved administrative practices for future asset sales. The audit criteria addressed the performance of the Task Force in managing the sale in relation to the results of the sale against the stated objectives; the management of the preparation for the sale including the selection of the selling syndicate, its fees and selling commissions; the offer structure including the nature of the sale, the bids and allocation procedures; post sale financial management; and the exposures of the Commonwealth as a result of sale by instalment, contracts, guarantees and indemnities.

The Procedures for Determining Breaches of the (APS) Code of Conduct must be complied with in determining whether an Australian Public Service (APS) employee has breached the Code of Conduct (the Code) set out in section 13 of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act), and in determining what, if any, sanction is to be imposed on an APS employee who has breached the Code of Conduct.

Opinions newsletter was published between May 2000 and August 2016, with a purpose of providing information to Commonwealth organisations on the full range of ANAO auditing services. These newsletters have now been archived from the ANAO website and are available through the National Library of Australia using the links below.

The ANAO Corporate Plan 2019–20 is the ANAO’s key strategic planning document. It guides our operating environment and sets out how we will deliver on our purpose. This Quality Assurance Framework and Plan complements the Corporate Plan. It describes the ANAO Quality Assurance Framework and reflects the ANAO’s quality assurance strategy and deliverables for the coming year.

The ANAO’s primary relationship is with the Australian Parliament, particularly the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA).

The ANAO also has an important relationship with the accountable authorities of Commonwealth entities, who have primary responsibility for and control over public sector entities’ operations. This relationship is supported by the ongoing engagement undertaken with officials of audited entities and audit committees.

Further, the ANAO invests in a number of relationships to support its ability to be a learning organisation through the two-way exchange and sharing of information and practices, and to support other nations through peer-to-peer institutional capacity development. These relationships include the Australasian auditing community as a member of the Australasian Council of Auditors-General (ACAG). The ANAO also has close links with the international and regional auditing community through the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and its regional working groups, and contributes to the delivery of the Australian Government’s aid program in the Indo-Pacific region. The ANAO values its relationships with the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) and the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB), in their roles of setting and maintaining professional and ethical standards for the accounting and auditing professions, which underpin the delivery of quality audit services.

This page lists status updates about the ANAO's progress on recommendations contained in the series of New Zealand Office of Auditor-General quality assurance review reports.

A Preliminary Study into Joint Commercial Arrangements between Commonwealth Budget-funded entities and private sector companies has indicated that an efficiency audit is not warranted at this time. On the basis of a survey, the study has indicated that, whilst there are some 60 joint commercial arrangements in existence, most are relatively small in financial terms.

The speech delivered by the Acting Deputy Auditor-General and the presentations by ANAO speakers at the Financial and Performance Reporting Forum held on Friday 29 November 2024 are now available.

If you would like a copy of the video recording please contact External.Relations@anao.gov.au

The ANAO Corporate Plan 2024–25 updates the previous corporate plan and outlines how we intend to deliver against our purpose over the next four years (2024–25 to 2027–28). The corporate plan is the ANAO’s primary planning document — it outlines our purpose; the dynamic environment in which we operate; our commitment to building capability; and the priorities, activities and performance measures by which we will be held to account.

The Auditor-General, Grant Hehir, delivered a presentation to the 15th Biennial Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees (ACPAC) Conference held at Parliament House, Canberra, on 7 November 2019. The presentation was titled Maintaining Trust in the Parliamentary Process — PACs and Officers of the Parliament.

The Auditor-General responded on 14 January 2020 to correspondence from the Hon Catherine King MP, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine programs supporting regional development and jobs growth. The Auditor-General also responded on 2 April 2020 to follow-up correspondence from the Hon Catherine King MP dated 3 March 2020, alerting the Auditor-General to evidence given in Senate estimates that relates to the original correspondence. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to the Hon Catherine King MP on 24 July 2020. 

The Australian National Audit Office provided a submission on 10 November 2017 to the statutory review of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 (PGPA Rule).

The speech delivered by the Acting Deputy Auditor-General and the presentations by ANAO speakers at the Financial and Performance Reporting Forum held on Friday 5 July 2024 are now available.

If you would like a copy of the video recording please contact External.Relations@anao.gov.au

The Auditor-General responded on 20 September 2019 to correspondence from Mr Julian Hill MP dated 3 September 2019, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine aspects of the family migration program. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to Mr Hill MP on 24 July 2020. 

The Auditor-General responded on 10 May 2018 to correspondence from Senators Patrick, Griff, Hanson-Young and Bernardi, Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP and the Hon. Tony Burke MP dated 24 April 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the purchases of water for environmental flows in the Murray-Darling Basin. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response on 29 April 2019. 

The ANAO Corporate Plan 2025–26 updates the previous corporate plan and outlines how we intend to deliver against our purpose over the next four years (2025–26 to 2028–29). The corporate plan is the ANAO’s primary planning document — it outlines our purpose; our strategic priorities; our operating context; and the priorities, activities and performance measures by which we will be held to account.

The Auditor-General responded on 29 October 2019 to correspondence from the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP dated 1 October 2019, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an examination of Federal Government drought funding measures. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP on 24 July 2020.

The Auditor-General responded on 29 July 2021 to correspondence from Ms Michelle Rowland MP and Senator Kimberley Kitching dated 9 July 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine NBN Co Limited executive bonuses for the 2019–2020 financial year and the legitimacy of the underlying targets to which the bonuses were linked. 

The ANAO, provided a country paper to the 8th ASOSAI Symposium held virtually on 8 September 2021. The paper was titled Responding to disaster and pandemic issues.

The objective of the audit was to assess the appropriateness of the use and reporting of confidentiality provisions in a sample of Australian Government contracts.

The Auditor-General responded on 25 May 2020 to correspondence from Senator Katy Gallagher dated 4 May 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Government’s debt management given the significant and rapidly increasing Commonwealth government debt levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to Senator Gallagher on 24 July 2020. 

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 audit objective was to examine the selected entities’ effectiveness in implementing entity-wide fraud control arrangements, including compliance with the requirements of the 2011 Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines (2011 Guidelines), and the overall administration of the fraud control framework by the Attorney-General’s Department.

The Auditor-General responded on 19 November 2021 to correspondence from Senator Malcolm Roberts dated 28 October 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General clarify issues relating to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. 

The Auditor-General received further correspondence about this matter from the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Mr Brendan Moon on 6 June 2022. 

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 the audit was to assess the appropriateness of the use and reporting of confidentiality provisions in a sample of Australian Government contracts.

The Auditor-General responded on 28 September 2023 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash dated 5 September 2023, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to assess the adequacy of data collection, performance monitoring and other governance arrangements under the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) in the Attorney-General’s portfolio.

The objective of the Risk Framework and associated programs of risk management activities is to support effective risk management across all ANAO operations.

The 2025–27 version of this publication is available here.

The objective of the Risk Framework and associated programs of risk management activities is to support effective risk management across all ANAO operations.

The Auditor-General responded on 13 April 2022 to correspondence from Mr Adam Bandt MP dated 24 March 2022, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the integrity of carbon credit methodology determinations made under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, and the administration of the Act by the Clean Energy Regulator. 

The Auditor-General responded on 6 October 2020 to correspondence from Senator Murray Watt dated 18 September 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the conduct of Senator Pauline Hanson, relevant government ministers — particularly the Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack MP — and the relevant departments in relation to the announcement of $23 million in Commonwealth Government funding for the Victoria Park stadium in Rockhampton. Senator Watt also requested that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the assessment process of the project undertaken by the relevant government ministers and their departments before awarding the $23 million grant. 

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office's activities to promote employer compliance with Superannuation Guarantee obligations.

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 2 May 2022 to correspondence from Senator Rex Patrick dated 5 April 2022, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the process in making statutory and other senior appointments across the whole government over the six months preceding the application of caretaker conventions prior to the 2022 Federal election. 

The Auditor-General responded on 17 January 2022 to correspondence from the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP dated 20 December 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Australian Government’s administration of Australian Research Council grants. 

The Auditor-General responded on 20 December 2023 to correspondence from Ms Zali Steggall MP dated 15 December 2023, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct a review of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, administered by the Attorney-General’s Department.

The Auditor-General responded on Thursday 27 February 2020 to correspondence from senators Janet Rice and Larissa Waters dated 7 February 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General investigate the decision-making process under the Community Sport Infrastructure — female facilities and water safety program, and the conduct of any relevant parties in relation to this matter. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to senators Rice and Waters on 24 July 2020. 

The audit objective was to assess how effectively the selected public sector entities manage risk.

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 Auditor-General responded on 22 November 2019 to correspondence from Senator Katy Gallagher dated 25 October 2019, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine government spending on external contractors and consultants. 

The Auditor-General responded on 3 May 2019 to correspondence from Mr Stephen Jones MP dated 7 April 2019, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Mobile Black Spot Program. 

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Trade Commission’s administration of the Export Market Development Grants scheme, in providing incentives to small and medium Australian enterprises for the development of export markets.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s administration of capital gains tax for individual and small business taxpayers.

The audit objective was to examine whether the Department of Defence provides an efficient and effective security vetting service for Australian Government entities through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the (former) Department of Industry’s administration of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Clean Energy Regulator’s crediting and selection of carbon abatement to purchase under the Emissions Reduction Fund.

The Auditor-General responded on 14 February 2020 to correspondence from Senator Sarah Hanson-Young dated 20 January 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General investigate allegations concerning procurement of water entitlements in the Murray-Darling Basin. 

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 objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s planning, budgeting and implementation of an electronic health records solution for Defence personnel.

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 on Thursday 27 February 2020 to correspondence from Senator Sarah Hanson-Young dated 16 February 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the eligibility guidelines and administration of grant funding arrangements set out under both the Environment Restoration Fund and Communities Environment Program, and the conduct of any relevant parties in relation to these grant funds. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to Senator Hanson-Young on 24 July 2020. 

The Auditor-General responded on 16 June 2021 to correspondence from Senator Malcolm Roberts dated 19 May 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the administration of Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements programs and funding. 

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 Auditor-General responded on 5 July 2022 to correspondence from the Hon Richard Marles MP dated 31 May 2022, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to review the Workforce Australia procurement processes. 

The Auditor-General responded on 20 December 2024 to correspondence from the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP dated 26 November 2024, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the administrative arrangements of the Inclusion Support Program (ISP).

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of Finance’s administration of travel entitlements provided to Parliamentarians.

The Auditor-General responded on 18 November 2019 to correspondence from Mr Andrew Giles MP, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the effectiveness of the procurement to deliver a new global visa processing system.

The objective of the audit was to assess progress in implementing the corporate plan requirement under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the design and conduct of the third and fourth funding rounds of the Regional Development Australia Fund.

The Auditor-General responded on 3 February 2023 to correspondence from Senator Nick McKim dated 10 January 2023, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation into decisions by the Department of Home Affairs to engage Management & Training Corporation Pty. Ltd (MTC Australia) to run garrison and welfare services in Nauru for refugees and people who sought asylum in Australia. 

The Auditor-General responded on 14 May 2021 to correspondence from the Hon Julie Collins MP dated 20 April 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct further work identifying strategic risks in grants administration within the Agriculture, Water and the Environment portfolio. 

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 Auditor-General responded on 11 December 2020 to correspondence from the Hon Richard Marles MP dated 16 November 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Future Submarine and Future Frigate programs. 

The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to Mr Marles on 19 March 2021. 

The acting Auditor-General responded on 14 August 2024 to correspondence from Senator David Shoebridge dated 26 July 2024, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to the use of public funds allocated towards the OneSchool Global schools.

The Auditor-General responded on 22 October 2021 to correspondence from Senator Mehreen Faruqi dated 27 September 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the administration of the Australian Research Council's funding application processes. 

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the design and implementation of round two of the National Stronger Regions Fund.

The Auditor-General responded on 21 March 2025 to correspondence from Ms Kylea Tink MP dated 28 February 2025, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the defence export permit approvals process.

The Auditor-General responded on 13 May 2021 to correspondence from Senator Janet Rice dated 16 April 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Commonwealth’s responsibilities in relation to Regional Forest Agreements, including monitoring implementation, coordinating annual reports and conducting reviews. 

The Auditor-General responded on 9 September 2022 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam dated 17 August 2022, requesting that the Auditor-General provide feedback on the University of Tasmania's proposal to relocate the Sandy Bay campus to Hobart CBD. 

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s design and implementation of the first funding round of the Bridges Renewal Programme.

The Auditor-General responded on 31 August 2020 to correspondence from Mr Stephen Jones MP dated 5 August 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General review the integrity and performance of the Government’s early release scheme for superannuation, as established through the Coronavirus Economic Response Omnibus Package Act 2020. 

The Auditor-General responded on 28 April 2025 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Anne Ruston dated 31 March 2025, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine a grant awarded to the Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation.

The Auditor-General responded on 17 April 2025 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash dated 21 March 2025, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Incolink grant. 

The Auditor-General responded on 21 August 2020 to correspondence from the Hon Mark Butler MP dated 26 July 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General review the integrity of the Supporting Reliable Energy Infrastructure Program, in particular with reference to the grant to Shine Energy. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response on 16 September 2020.

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 7 June 2021 to correspondence from Senator Sarah Hanson-Young dated 10 May 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the federal government’s spending on offsets for the Western Sydney Airport.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the management of community intelligence by the Tax Office.

The Auditor-General responded on 10 September 2021 to correspondence from Ms Madeleine King MP and Senator the Hon Kristina Keneally dated 26 August 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program because of probity concerns. 

The audit objective is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture’s administration of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.

The acting Auditor-General responded on 26 August 2024 to correspondence from the Hon Paul Fletcher MP dated 30 July 2024 and follow-up correspondence dated 14 August 2024, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation into the investment in PsiQuantum announced by the Australian and Queensland governments on 30 April 2024.

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 objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of Industry’s administration of the Ethanol Production Grants Program, including relevant advice on policy development.

The audit objective was to review the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) arrangements for delivering selected non-platform sustainment.

The objective of this report is to provide the Auditor-General’s independent assurance over the status of the selected Major Projects. The status of the selected Major Projects is reported in the Statement by the Secretary of Defence and the Project Data Summary Sheets (PDSSs) prepared by Defence. Assurance from the ANAO’s review is conveyed in the Independent Assurance Report by the Auditor-General.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's (CSIRO's) Gift to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund.

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 objective of this report was to provide the Auditor-General’s independent assurance over the status of the selected major projects. The status of the selected major projects is reported in the Statement by the Secretary of Defence and the Project Data Summary Sheets (PDSSs) prepared by Defence. Assurance from the ANAO’s review is conveyed in the Independent Assurance Report by the Auditor-General.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs administration of the Repatriation Transport Scheme.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s management of Australian aid to Vanuatu.

This edition of Audit Insights is targeted at Australian Government officials who have responsibility for the management and reporting of executive remuneration. The aim of Audit Insights is to communicate lessons from our audit work to make it easier for people working within the Australian public sector to apply those lessons. It is drawn from audit reports tabled between 2019–20 and 2022–23.

The Auditor-General responded on 10 September 2021 to correspondence from Mr Adam Bandt MP dated 25 August 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation into the management of the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program. 

The Auditor-General responded on 19 August 2020 to correspondence from the Hon Catherine King MP dated 28 July 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the design and administration of the Regional Airlines Funding Assistance Program.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Parliamentary Services’ management of assets and contracts to support the operations of Parliament House.

The objective of this report is to provide the Auditor-General’s independent assurance over the status of the selected major projects. The status of the selected major projects is reported in the Statement by the Secretary of Defence and the Project Data Summary Sheets (PDSSs) prepared by Defence. Assurance from the ANAO’s review is conveyed in the Independent Assurance Report by the Auditor-General.

The Auditor-General responded on 13 December 2021 to correspondence from Senator Jordon Steele-John dated 17 November 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the administration of a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme program for opioid dependency treatment. 

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme by the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s administration of health services in onshore immigration detention.

The Auditor-General responded on 10 March 2022 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Eric Abetz dated 9 February 2022, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the planned relocation of the University of Tasmania. 

The Auditor-General responded on 22 June 2021 to correspondence from Mr Jason Falinski MP dated 27 May 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine concerns raised by Mr Falinski's constituent regarding the louvre windows selected by the appointed company for the Department of Defence building project — Cook and Tiroas Barracks, Vanuatu.

The Auditor-General received correspondence from Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP dated 3 April 2023, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Community Batteries for Household Solar Program. The Auditor-General responded to the correspondence on 23 May 2023.

The Auditor-General responded on 30 April 2019 to correspondence from Ms Cathy McGowan AO, MP dated 8 April 2019, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the politicisation of taxpayer funded grant announcements (Community Sport Infrastructure grants program). 

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 Australian Public Service Employee Census is an annual survey administered by the Australian Public Service Commission. The survey is used to collect confidential attitude and opinion information from APS employees on issues in the workplace. The survey provides an opportunity for ANAO employees to share their experiences of working within our organisation and the public service. This census action plan outlines the key focus areas for the ANAO in responding to the feedback.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness and equity of the award of funding under the Clean Technology Program in the context of the program objectives and the Commonwealth’s grants administration framework.

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).