Browse our range of reports and publications including performance and financial statement audit reports, assurance review reports, information reports and annual reports.
The objectives of this audit were to assess, with respect to guarantees, indemnities and letters of comfort:
- changes in the size and nature of the Commonwealth's reported exposure since 30 June 1995;
- the extent of improvement in agencies' management and monitoring of the Commonwealth's exposure to these instruments;
- the approach of agencies to effective risk management and control of Commonwealth exposures to these instruments; and
- whether current reporting practices provide a sufficiently comprehensive coverage for public accountability purposes, at both the agency and whole of government levels.
This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Finance’s administration of the governance and accountability framework for Government Business Enterprises (GBE), including its support and advice to the Minister for Finance, who is a GBE shareholder minister. The audit may also review entities’ implementation of framework requirements and expectations set out in the GBE guidelines.
A GBE is a Commonwealth entity or Commonwealth company that is prescribed pursuant to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and related Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014. Nine GBEs have been prescribed. Two GBEs are corporate Commonwealth entities: Australian Postal Corporation; and Defence Housing Australia. Seven GBEs are Commonwealth companies: ASC Pty Limited; Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd; Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited; National Intermodal Corporation Limited; NBN Co Limited; Snowy Hydro Limited; and WSA Co Limited. The Department of Finance provides advice to the Australian Government relating to its GBEs and other commercial entities.
Please direct enquiries through our contact page.
Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the House of Representatives Occasional Seminar Series
Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Mr P.J. Barrett (AO) - Auditor-General for Australia, an Occasional Paper
Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Institute of Internal Auditors, Annual Directors' Forum, Canberra
Industry levies play a significant role in the provision of many public services and fund a range of activities undertaken by regulatory bodies such as the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), through to financing reform of the Australian waterfront labour force. The objectives of this audit were to assess:
- the coverage, revenue and expenses of non-primary industry levies;
- the effectiveness of selected entities' financial management of non-primary industry levies; and
- areas of better administrative practice relating to the financial management of non-primary industry levies.
The audit examined the administrative effectiveness of arrangements between Health and HIC, in relation to the management and administration of the Medicare Benefits Scheme and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Health predominantly exercises a policy and leadership role within the health portfolio - HIC delivers a range of health services directly to the public and members of the health industry. Both agencies have stated that they recognise the importance of working together, as partners in their respective roles, to maximise their performance in the achievement of health portfolio outcomes and to discharge their respective responsibilities. This joint commitment is embodied in a written agreement - called the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).
The objective of this information report is to provide transparency and insights regarding the Australian Government’s budget position and its fiscal outcomes from 2003-04 to 2022-23, using publicly available data. This information report is neither an audit nor an assurance review and will present no conclusions or opinions.
The Department of the Treasury, the Department of Finance and the Parliamentary Budget Office are entities that may be consulted during the reporting phase of this report.
Please direct enquiries through our contact page.
Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Congress