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. 

An Audit Committee Chairs Forum was held on Friday, 4 December 2020. The venue was the Australian National Audit Office, 38 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT.

The text on this page is the communique from the forum. 

The audit objective was to examine whether the selected entities have implemented a selection of agreed parliamentary committee and Auditor-General recommendations.

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 objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the NDIA’s management of claimant compliance with NDIS claim requirements.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the management of underperformance in the Australian Public Service (APS) and identify opportunities for improvement.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s management and oversight of fraud control arrangements for the administration of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The objective of the audit was to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the Australian Electoral Commission’s implementation of those recommendations made in Report No. 28 2009–10 relating to:

• a more strategic approach to election workforce planning;
• the suitability and accessibility of polling booths and fresh scrutiny premises; and
• the transport and storage of completed ballot papers, in respect to matters not fully addressed in ANAO Audit Report No.31 2013–14.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ arrangements for managing Disability Employment Services provider agreements.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of administration of physical security in the revised Protective Security Policy Framework.

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. 

This annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ended 30 June 2023. The report addresses all applicable obligations under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014; the Auditor-General Act 1997; the performance measures set out in the outcome and programs framework in the ANAO’s Portfolio Budget Statements 2022–23 and in the ANAO Corporate Plan 2022–23; and annual reporting requirements set out in other relevant legislation.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health and Aged Care’s fraud control arrangements, with a specific focus on the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme.

The audit objective was to examine whether Airservices Australia has effective procurement arrangements in place, with a particular emphasis on whether consultancy contracts entered into with International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM) in association with the OneSKY Australia project were effectively administered.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s administration of referrals, assessments and approvals of controlled actions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the transitional arrangements from the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) program to the Enhanced Income Management program.

The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the design and early implementation of the National Soil Strategy and the supporting National Soil Action Plan.

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 annual report documents the performance of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in the financial year ended 30 June 2022. The report addresses all applicable obligations under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014; the Auditor-General Act 1997; the performance measures set out in the outcome and programs framework in the ANAO’s Portfolio Budget Statements 2021–22 and the ANAO Corporate Plan 2021–22; and annual reporting requirements set out in other relevant legislation.

The Auditor-General responded on 16 January 2024 to correspondence from Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie dated 22 December 2023, requesting that the Auditor-General to conduct an audit into the Australian Government's $2.2 billion commitment to the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop Project.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness to date of the implementation of the Tourism 2020 strategy by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Tourism Australia.

The objective of this audit was to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of Australian Human Rights Commission’s handling of complaints.

The major projects report (MPR) is an annual review of the Department of Defence’s major defence equipment acquisitions, undertaken at the request of the Parliament’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA).

The purpose of the MPR is to provide information and assurance to the Parliament on the performance of selected acquisitions as at 30 June 2021. This is the 14th MPR since its commencement in 2007–08.

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 the efficiency of the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions' (CDPP's) case management.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Efficiency through Contestability Programme in supporting entities to improve the efficient delivery of government functions.

The Auditor-General responded on 10 March 2021 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Kristina Keneally dated 11 February 2021, requesting that the Auditor-General consider conducting a performance audit of the Safer Communities Fund and the awarding of discretionary grants from the proceeds of crime. 

The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to Senator Keneally on 14 April 2021. 

The objective of the audit was to assess whether Defence Housing Australia administers its functions efficiently and effectively, and in accordance with the Government Business Enterprise guidelines.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debts and repayments.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the management of threatened species and ecological communities under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s administration of the Biometric Identification Service project.

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

The Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Australian Parliament and has discretion in the performance or exercise of Auditor-General functions or powers. In exercising the mandated and discretionary functions and powers, the Auditor-General is not subject to direction from anyone in relation to: whether or not a particular audit is to be conducted; the way in which a particular audit is to be conducted; or the priority to be given to any particular matter. The Auditor-General must, however, have regard to the audit priorities of the Parliament, as determined by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA).

The audit objective was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s administration of the Integrated Investment Program since 2016.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet effectively manages the Regional Network.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of the mandatory minimum requirements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in major government procurements in achieving policy objectives. 

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) management of corporate credit cards.

The audit objective was to assess whether the Australian Electoral Commission appropriately established and managed the contracts for the transportation of completed ballot papers and the Senate scanning solution for the 2016 Federal Election.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s administration of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency functions including the National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

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 wrote to the Minister for Finance on 21 June 2024 to advise of the outcomes of the 2023–24 annual performance statements audit program, and a proposal for expanding the program of audits in 2024–25 and the following two financial years. The Minister for Finance responded on 2 July 2024 supporting the proposal. The Minister for Finance's full response is provided below.

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 undertook a limited assurance review of the Department of Finance’s reporting and administration of the Advances to the Finance Minister (AFM) for the Period 1 August 2020 to 28 August 2020.

The ANAO’s governance structure and practices support the Auditor-General in the oversight of the organisation, management of its resources and the delivery of quality audit products. The corporate governance framework, processes and related organisational capability supports the delivery of the ANAO’s purpose, and meets public and community expectations of probity, accountability and transparency.

The objective of this audit was to assess whether the Federal Court of Australia is effectively managing the use of corporate credit cards for official purposes in accordance with legislative and entity requirements.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ 2020 to 2022 procurement of counselling and support services provided through 1800RESPECT.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the governance board in the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

The objective of this audit was to examine whether the Department of Finance (Finance) has implemented a selection of agreed parliamentary committee and Auditor-General recommendations.

The objective of the audit was to assess how effectively and efficiently the Australian Taxation Office managed contact centres as part of its overall service delivery.

The audit objective was to assess whether Tourism Australia’s procurement and contract management activities are complying with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and demonstrating the achievement of value for money.

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) Corporate Plan is the ANAO’s key strategic planning document. It guides our operating environment and sets out how we will deliver on our purpose.

The Quality Assurance Framework and Plan complements the Corporate Plan. The ANAO Quality Assurance Framework is the system of quality control that the ANAO has established to provide the Auditor-General with reasonable assurance that the ANAO complies with the ANAO standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements and reports issued by the ANAO are appropriate in the circumstances.

This Audit Quality Report demonstrates the ANAO assessment of the implementation and operating effectiveness of the elements of the ANAO Quality Assurance Framework. The report provides transparency in respect of the processes, policies, and procedures that support each element of the ANAO Quality Assurance Framework, and reports audit quality indicators measuring ANAO performance against target benchmarks.

This report also includes the achievement of the quality assurance strategy and deliverables set out in the Quality Assurance Framework and Plan 2020–21.

The objective of the audit was to examine whether strategic water procurements by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment were conducted consistent with government policy, were supported by appropriate program design, were planned and executed appropriately, and achieved value for money.

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 design of, and award of funding under, the Living Safe Together grants programme.

The objective of the audit was to assess the selected entities’ progress in implementing the corporate planning requirements under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and related PGPA Rule 2014.

This audit assessed corporate plans for the 2016–17 reporting period, and complements the report published in August 2016 which assessed corporate plans for the 2015–16 reporting period.

The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Home Affairs’ management of its public communications and media activities.

The audit objective was to assess the establishment and administration of the Australian Border Force’s framework to ensure the lawful exercise of powers in accordance with applicable legislation.

The objective of this audit was to examine whether the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) is being delivered effectively. 

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 of the governance board in the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of the design and governance of the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.

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 examine Defence’s administration of Materiel Sustainment Agreements (MSAs) and the contribution made by MSAs to the effective sustainment of specialist military equipment.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Department of Health and Aged Care has effectively managed the expansion of telehealth services during and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

The objective of this audit was to assess the department’s design, implementation and monitoring of select 2014–15 and 2015–16 Budget measures aimed at achieving $1.2 billion in savings and other benefits.

The objective of this audit was to assess the extent to which entities’ establishment and use of ICT related procurement panels and arrangements supported the achievement of value for money outcomes.

The ANAO conducted separate audits of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) Children and Schooling program and the Safety and Wellbeing program, the findings and conclusions of which are presented in this report. The objective of the audits was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s and the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s administration of the IAS Children and Schooling and the Safety and Wellbeing programs.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Education’s design and governance of the Child Care Package.

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 objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Defence's administration of contractual obligations relating to the Defence Industry Security Program.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Digital Transformation Agency’s procurement of ICT-related services.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (DHAC) performance management of the Primary Health Network program.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) had complied with gifts, benefits and hospitality requirements.

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 the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the management of cyber risks by the Department of the Treasury, National Archives of Australia and Geoscience Australia.

The ANAO provided an article to the March 2023 edition of the PASAI newsletter on the development of a methodology for auditing ethics. The article was titled SAI Australia develops methodology for auditing ethics.

The Auditor-General responded on 12 July 2019 to correspondence from Senator Mehreen Faruqi dated 3 July 2019, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Live Exports Branch of the Department of Agriculture. The request for audit related to allegations of mismanagement and falsification of official records.

The audit objective was to assess whether the Australian Government has established an appropriate framework for responding to crises.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s regulation of permits and approvals within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Department of Education and Training established the Apprenticeship Training – alternative delivery pilots program in accordance with the Commonwealth Grants and Rules Guidelines.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office's activities in addressing Superannuation Guarantee non-compliance.

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 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 Auditor-General responded on 29 April 2019 to correspondence from the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, the Hon David Littleproud MP, dated 23 April 2019, requesting that the audit of purchases of environmental water by the Commonwealth, and on behalf of the Commonwealth, currently listed as a potential audit be brought forward and expanded. 

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health’s implementation of the National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS).

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) management of the Aids to Navigation maintenance procurement.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Defence’s design and implementation of the Base Services contracts.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of risk management, data monitoring and public reporting arrangements associated with the Australian Government's funding of public hospital services under the 2011 National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA).

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the department’s delivery of the Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program.

The objective of the audit was to assess the Moorebank Intermodal Company’s achievement of value for money and management of probity in its operations and procurement activities.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the award of funding under the Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program was informed by an appropriate assessment process and sound advice.

The objective of this audit was to assess whether Human Services has an effective high-level compliance strategy for administered payments made under the Centrelink and Medicare programs. 

The audit objective was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Human Services’ administration of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.

The audit’s objective was to determine if the Bureau of Meteorology’s processes support the delivery of effective extreme weather services.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the My Health Record system under the opt-out model.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the management of cyber security risks by three government business enterprises or corporate Commonwealth entities. The entities selected for audit are ASC Pty Ltd, the Australian Postal Corporation and the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service's management of the Cape Class patrol boat program.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office's External Compliance Assurance Process pilot conducted with large business taxpayers.

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

The Auditor-General for Australia is an independent officer of the Parliament with responsibility under the Auditor-General Act 1997 for auditing Commonwealth entities and reporting to the Australian Parliament. The Auditor-General is supported by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

The office of Auditor-General is a ten year statutory appointment made by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. In recognition of the Auditor-General’s status as an officer of the Parliament, the Australian Parliament’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) must approve any proposed recommendation for appointment.

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

The audit objective was to assess whether Defence is effectively controlling the use of Commonwealth credit cards for official purposes in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.

The audit objective was to assess whether the Department of Immigration and Border Protection adopted sound contract management practices for the delivery of garrison support and welfare services for offshore processing centres in Nauru and Manus Island.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Human Services’ administration of the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme.

The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Home Affairs' administration of the support arrangements designed to ensure that the Cape Class patrol boats are achieving contracted availability and performance requirements.

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 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 objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Industry Innovation and Science Australia's, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources', and the Australian Taxation Office's administration of the Research and Development Tax Incentive program.

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

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) had complied with gifts, benefits and hospitality requirements.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency's administration of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The ANAO 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 are held to account. This Quality Assurance Framework and Plan 2021–22 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 Quality Assurance Framework is the ANAO’s established system of quality control to provide the Auditor-General with reasonable assurance that the ANAO complies with the ANAO Auditing Standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements and reports issued by the ANAO are appropriate in the circumstances.

The Quality Assurance Strategy and Plan component of this document identifies the key activities that the ANAO conducts to provide the Auditor-General with comfort that the controls established within the Quality Assurance Framework are implemented and operating effectively.

The ANAO reports on the audit quality indicators that measure the ANAO performance against target benchmarks in the annual Audit Quality Report published on the ANAO website. The Audit Quality Report also provides transparency with respect to the processes, policies and procedures that support each element of the ANAO Quality Assurance Framework and the achievement of the quality assurance strategy and deliverables set out in the Quality Assurance Framework and Plan.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the implementation and award of funding for Round 1 of the Growing Regions Program.

The objective of the audit was to assess the arrangements established by the Department of Education and Training to monitor the impact of Australian Government school funding.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the governance board in Hearing Australia.

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 administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The objective of this audit was to assess whether the Productivity Commission is effectively managing the use of corporate credit cards for official purposes in accordance with legislative and entity requirements.

The objective of this audit was to examine whether the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post) is meetings its Community Service and International obligations efficiently and the effectiveness of Commonwealth shareholders in monitoring value for money.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Defence's planning and administrative arrangements to support the provision of emergency Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC).