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 IIF program is designed to redress the low level of provision in Australia of high risk venture capital for small new technology - based companies commercialising research and development. The objective of the audit was to determine whether the IIF program was being effectively managed by the Industry Research and Development (IR&D) Board and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources to achieve the program objectives. The audit focused on corporate governance arrangements for program administration, the selection process to award licences, the safeguards to protect the Commonwealth's financial interests, management of licence agreements, and program performance management. The audit also examined program results to date from available data.

Australian Industry Involvement Program. Department of Defence The audit examined the management by Defence of its Australian Industry Involvement (AII) Program. AII is the major program through which Defence gives effect to government policy on Australian industry. The objective of the audit was to assess the extent to which the AII Program has achieved its two policy objectives, which are to :

• develop and sustain strategically important capabilities in Australian industry to support Australian Defence Force operations and Defence capability development; and
• maximise Australian industry involvement in Defence's procurement of goods and services, consistent with the government procurement policy objective of achieving best value for money to the Commonwealth.

On 2 November 2000, the Senate agreed to a resolution that the Auditor-General be requested to review all expenditures and entitlements accruing to Parliamentarians and Ministers in 1999-2000. The resolution requested that the Auditor-General consider a number of specific matters, and report by 30 June 2001. In the course of that audit, examination of issues relating to Parliamentarians' staff was deferred in order to give the Auditor-General a reasonable chance of reporting reasonably close to the Senate's requested reporting timeframe. ANAO Audit Report No.5 2001-02, Parliamentarians' Entitlements: 1999-2000, was tabled in the Parliament in August 2001. A proposed audit of the administration by Finance of the entitlements of staff engaged under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act was included in the ANAO Audit Work Program for 2001-02. The objectives of this performance audit were to: review the effectiveness of the internal control structures in the Department of Finance and Administration (Finance) concerning the administration of entitlements for MOP(S) Act staff; review the effectiveness and efficiency of the procurement and support services Finance provides in relation to MOP(S) Act staff: and identify principles of sound administrative practices to facilitate improved administrative arrangements for the future. The audit covered Finance's administration of payments and services to MOP(S) Act staff during the period 1998-99 to 2001-02. Sub-section 15(c) of the Auditor General Act 1997 precludes an audit of persons who are engaged under the MOP(S) Act. Accordingly, the audit scope did not include examination of the responsibilities of MOP(S) Act staff.

This edition of Audit Insights summarises key messages from Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) performance audits about the management of conflicts of interest by Australian Government entities in relation to procurement activity and grants programs.

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 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.

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 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 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 this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Research Council’s (ARC’s) administration of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP).

The objectives of the audit were to:

• assess the extent to which major program objectives were achieved;
• identify major strengths and weaknesses related to the economy, effectiveness and efficiency of the program administration; and
• identify areas of improvements and risks which should be addressed in arrangements with a private sector project manager.

Audit criteria were developed to address the areas of program planning and implementation, performance measurement and monitoring, responsiveness to emerging issues, dispute resolution mechanisms, risk management and program improvement measures.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the management and oversight of compliance activities within the Child Care Subsidy program.

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 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 Australian Political Parties for Democracy Programme is administered by Finance. The programme aims to strengthen democracy internationally by providing support for the international activities of Australia's major political parties. Funding of up to $1 million is provided annually under the programme to each of the Australian Labor Party and to the Liberal Party of Australia. Guidelines for the programme provide for the parties to re-apply for funding each year and set out the criteria against which applications for funding are assessed. The proposed audit would examine the administration of the program by Finance, including the adequacy of assessment of acquittal documentation and requests to roll over funding.

The audit reviewed the sale of Works Australia, a business unit of the Department of Administrative Services, which provided project, architectural and engineering design and documentation services to the Commonwealth and State Governments and private enterprise. The objectives of the audit were to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the sale.

ANAO found that the actions taken by the Department during the course of the audit to update and improve the Notes on Administration and administrative processes, by commissioning various specialist studies and reviewing governance issues, has established a sound basis for ongoing effective management of the National Highway System. The Department advised ANAO that changes to the Notes on Administration reflect joint work done with the ANAO to identify where improvements could be made and incorporate not only suggestions and recommendations that the ANAO has made in the final report but also during the audit. ANAO considers that the comprehensive revision of the Notes on Administration undertaken by the Department should foster marked improvements in the management of the National Highway System.

The Auditor-General responded on 12 May 2020 to correspondence from Ms Zali Steggall OAM, MP dated 23 April 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General consider an audit of the Australian Government’s Underwriting New Generation Investment (UNGI) program. The Auditor-General provided a follow-up response to Ms Steggall OAM, MP on 24 July 2020. 

The Auditor-General Act establishes the position of the Independent Auditor, who may conduct a performance audit of the ANAO at any time. The ANAO is also committed to increasing external oversight and scrutiny over the ANAO Quality Framework, including external reviews of the quality framework and completed audits, as considered appropriate.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Indigenous Business Australia’s management and implementation of the Indigenous Home Ownership Program.

The audit covered major program elements within the Department of Primary Industries and Energy and Environment Australia that are managed:

• directly by DPIE or Environment Australia;
• through the One-Stop-Shop project assessment process administered by the States/Territories; or
• by non-government organisations.

The purpose of the audit was to examine and benchmark the administrative processes established for these programs. The primary focus of the audit was to draw on the best elements of past practice (particularly in relation to programs involving the One-Stop-Shop) and highlight any shortcomings so that the risks to program effectiveness and accountability could be addressed in the implementation of the Natural Heritage Trust.

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 Auditor-General has responded on 3 July 2020 to correspondence from the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP dated 11 June 2020, requesting that the Auditor-General consider an audit of the operation of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Export Hubs program. The SME Export Hubs program is administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. 

The audit reviewed the extent to which the Department of Health and Ageing (Health) had implemented the recommendations of Audit Report No. 13 of 1998-1999, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program, taking account of any changed circumstances or new administrative issues identified as impacting the implementation of these recommendations.

Audit Practice: Auditing Regulatory Activities is intended for senior management and those responsible for managing internal audit within Australian Government entities that have a regulatory function.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA), administers the Commonwealth's settlement programs, which seek to assist migrants and refugees to participate in Australian society. Provision of English language training to newly arrived migrants and refugees has been a long standing and significant part of this settlement support, with some 1.5 million new arrivals assisted in this way since 1948. The objective of the audit was to examine DIMA's management of the Adult Migrant English Program Contracts, focusing on performance outcomes; strategic contract management and coordination; program expenditure, with emphasis on contract funding arrangements; and whether contract monitoring and performance information adequately support effective program management. The ANAO made six audit recommendations aimed at improving program performance management and reporting; strategic management and coordination; management of financial risks; and monitoring of contractor performance, which were all accepted by DIMA.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Human Services' management of Medicare compliance audits.

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

Given the importance of customer feedback to Centrelink's business, the ANAO considered it timely to conduct a series of performance audits relating to Centrelink's customer feedback systems, particularly in relation to its delivery of the services then provided on behalf of FaCS. The overarching objective of this series of ANAO performance audits of Centrelink's customer feedback systems was to assess whether Centrelink has effective processes and systems for gathering, measuring, reporting and responding effectively to customer feedback, including in relation to customer satisfaction with Centrelink services and processes.