The Auditor-General responded on 27 November 2018 to correspondence from Senator Hanson-Young dated 26 October 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the use of grant funding from the Connections Project.

The Auditor-General has responded to a request from Mr Pat Conroy MP dated 28 September 2018, asking that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of aspects of the Government advertising campaign: Powering Forward.

The Auditor-General responded on 24 August 2018 to a request from Mr Ross Vasta MP dated 30 July 2018, asking that the Auditor-General consider correspondence from the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Brisbane) dated 12 July 2018. The association is requesting an audit of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Spectrum Management & Analysis Section project that installed radio monitoring infrastructure on Mount Petrie. 

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 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). 

The Auditor-General responded on 19 April 2017, and followed-up on 19 July 2017 and 18 May 2018, to correspondence from the Hon. Wayne Swan MP dated 27 March 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the operation of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), its independence and the quality of the systems and analyses being implemented.

The Auditor-General responded on 18 May 2018 to correspondence from Senator Whish-Wilson dated 24 April 2018, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the implementation of declaration of interest and conflict of interest policies by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

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 to, and then followed-up, correspondence from the Hon. Tony Burke MP dated 25 July 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation into allegations arising out of a recent Four Corners program concerning the Murray-Darling Basin.

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 14 December 2016, and followed-up on 19 July 2017, to correspondence from Senator Kakoschke-Moore on 14 November 2016 requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA).

The Acting Auditor-General responded on 11 May 2017, and the Auditor-General followed-up on 19 July 2017, to correspondence from Ms Cathy McGowan AO MP dated 10 April 2017. Ms McGowan had requested that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the Regional Australia Impact Statement process, which is administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

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 responded on 27 June 2017 to correspondence from Mr Andrew Wilkie MP dated 26 May 2017, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of Centrelink's automated debt recovery programs.

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 Auditor-General responded on 27 February 2017 to correspondence from Dr Jim Chalmers MP dated 29 December 2016, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of aspects of the lease arrangements for the rifle range at Malabar Headland in New South Wales (NSW).

The Auditor-General responded on 17 January 2017 to correspondence from the Hon. Linda Burney MP on 5 January 2017 requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an audit of the Centrelink debt recovery and welfare integrity programs.

The Deputy Auditor-General responded on 5 January 2017 to correspondence from the Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP on 4 November 2016 requesting the Auditor-General investigate if grants awarded under the Apprenticeship Training Alternative Delivery Pilots program represented value for money for the Australian taxpayer.

The Auditor-General responded on 2 December 2016 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Stephen Parry, President of the Senate, on 14 October 2016, regarding a resolution agreed by the Senate requesting that the Auditor-General conduct a performance audit assessing the procurement of services related to the National Cancer Screening Register.

The Auditor-General responded on 10 November 2016 to correspondence from The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP on 13 October 2016 requesting the ANAO include the impact of the Australian Government’s proposed relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Authority in its current performance audit of Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine (agvet) Regulatory Reform.

The Auditor-General responded on 9 September 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP on 15 June 2016 regarding the appropriateness of arrangements concerning the Liberal Party of Australia entity Parakeelia Pty Ltd.

The Auditor-General responded on 22 August 2016 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon on 20 May 2016 requesting a performance audit of the Command and Control System selection for the SEA 1000 Future Submarine Project.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 18 May 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Anthony Albanese MP on 16 January 2016 regarding the ANAO performance audit of the approval and administration of Commonwealth funding for the WestConnex Project.

The Auditor-General (A/g) wrote on 18 May 2016 to Senator Lee Rhiannon regarding the ANAO performance audit of the approval and administration of Commonwealth funding for the WestConnex Project. This is a follow-up to correspondence with Senator Rhiannon published on 8 September 2015.

The Auditor-General responded on 9 May 2016 to correspondence from Ms Catherine King MP on 22 April 2016 regarding comments made by Ms Sophie Mirabella in relation to Commonwealth funding for Wangaratta Hospital.

The Auditor-General responded on 26 April 2016 to correspondence from Mr Pat Conroy MP on 16 February 2016 regarding the government advertising campaign Welcome to the Ideas Boom.

The Auditor-General responded on 6 April 2016 to correspondence from Senator Hanson-Young on 30 March 2016 regarding Refugee resettlement deal established between the Commonwealth Government of Australia and the Kingdom of Cambodia in September of 2014.

The Auditor-General responded on 8 March 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP on 18 February 2016 regarding Goulburn Murray Water Connections Project 2 (GMWCP2).

The Auditor-General responded on 14 January 2016 to correspondence from the Hon Catherine King MP on 22 October 2015, on the project agreement for the Health and Hospitals Fund – 2010 Regional Priority Round Project in Palmerston.

The Auditor-General responded on 11 December 2015 to correspondence from Senator the Hon Doug Cameron on 30 October 2015 regarding systems and processes within the Department of Human Services (DHS) that go to the security of citizens' identity.

The Auditor-General responded on 9 December 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Shayne Neumann MP on 7 September 2015 regarding Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

The Auditor-General responded on 1 December 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 29 October and 5 November 2015, on the advertising campaign promoting Free Trade Agreements in Asia.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 6 October 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Richard Marles MP on 30 August 2015 regarding training that has been provided to officials within Australian Border Force (ABF) since its inception on 1 July.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 24 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Glenn Lazarus on 10 September 2015 regarding National Stronger Regions Fund.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 24 September 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Warren Truss MP on 18 September 2015 regarding probity and conflict of interest arrangements in place for the OneSKY Australia programme being led by Airservices Australia.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Mr Tim Watts MP on 28 August 2015 regarding Liberal Party misappropriation of parliamentary entitlements.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Ms Julie Collins MP on 1 September 2015 regarding parliamentary entitlements paid to Liberal MPs and Senators.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon on 8 September 2015 regarding florist at Parliament House, DPS and LGW Design.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 23 September 2015 to correspondence from Alannah MacTiernan MP on 7 September 2015 regarding the Perth Freight Link Project in Western Australia.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 15 September 2015 to correspondence from Ms Michelle Rowland MP on 7 September 2015 regarding administration of the Mobile Black Spot Program.

The Auditor-General (A/g) responded on 15 September 2015 to correspondence from the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP on 11 September 2015 regarding Murray-Darling Basin Authority's (MDBA) implementation of the Basin Plan.

The Auditor-General responded on 8 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Lee Rhiannon on 10 August 2015 regarding the WestConnex road building project in NSW.

The Auditor-General responded on 2 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 3 June 2015 on the Australian bid for the football World Cup.

The Auditor-General responded on 6 August 2015 to correspondence from Senator Lee Rhiannon on 22 July 2015 regarding Bronwyn Bishop's use of entitlements to pay $5,000 for a charter flight.

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 Auditor-General responded on 30 July 2014 to questions raised on 26 May 2014 by Senator the Hon Penny Wong on the appointment of Mr Peter Crone as head of Secretariat for the National Commission of Audit.

The Auditor-General responded on 14 August 2013 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 12 August 2013 on the continuation of the Australian Government’s By boat, no visa advertising campaign during the caretaker period.

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 this audit is to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) administration of the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) for people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the selected entities’ administration of Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI) requests is effective in giving the community access to Australian Government information.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of procurement reforms — follow on from Auditor-General Report No. 5 2022–23 Digital Transformation Agency’s Procurement of ICT-Related Services.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Department of Defence (Defence) has complied with gifts, benefits and hospitality requirements.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the award of funding under Department of Defence’s (Defence’s) Industry grants programs was consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines (CGRGs).

The objective of this audit is to assess whether Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) effectively applies the cost recovery principles of the Australian Government’s cost recovery policy.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) administration of investigations.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness to date of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) planning and implementation of the Collins Class Life of Type Extension.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ (Infrastructure) management of the service delivery agreements for the Australian external territories is effective.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) regulation of registered company auditors.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness to date of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (LAND 400 Phase 3).

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ (DISR) management of domestic and international travel in accordance with legislative and entity requirements.

The objective of this audit is to examine the effectiveness of the procurement and contract management of onshore-manufactured antivenoms and vaccines.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of implementation design and measurement of progress for early childhood development and schooling commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) and Services Australia’s management of age pension.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) compliance with domestic and international travel requirements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General’s (the Office’s) management of official residences and other assets.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is effectively managing the delivery of the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) to achieve program outcomes.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Services Australia’s management of the privacy of client information.

The objective of this audit is to examine whether the Office of Parliamentary Counsel’s procurement and contract management of the new Federal Register of Legislation project complied with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and demonstrated the achievement of value for money.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Attorney-General’s Department’s (AGD) conduct of the procurements relating to two new child sexual abuse-related national services employed open and effective competition and achieved value for money, consistent with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs).

The objective of the audit is to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s (Defence) administration of contractual obligations to maximise Australian industry participation.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s (OFWO) exercise of its regulatory functions.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of the Treasury’s (Treasury) design and implementation of the Measuring What Matters Framework.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO’s) procurement of IT managed services.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Finance’s (Finance’s) and selected entities’ implementation of the Australian Government’s campaign advertising framework.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s (PM&C’s) administration of the Impact Analysis (IA) framework.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether entities are providing effective support to Ministers to ensure Statements of Expectations and responding Regulator Statements of Intent are in place.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Department of Health and Aged Care (Health) is effectively administering the Future Fit Program.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the governance board in the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the design and establishment of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC).

The objective of this audit is to assess whether entities effectively implemented agreed recommendations relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation targets in major procurements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW’s) regulation of appliance and equipment energy efficiency standards.

The objective of this audit is to assess whether the award of funding under the Disaster Ready Fund was effective and consistent with the published guidelines.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's (DAFF) management of the biosecurity workforce.

The objective of this audit is to examine whether the Department of Defence (Defence) has effective and efficient sustainment arrangements for Navy’s Canberra Class fleet.

The objective of this audit is to examine the effectiveness of the implementation of frameworks to support ethical behaviours within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

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

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Creative Australia’s fraud and corruption control arrangements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of selected Commonwealth entities’ management of Senior Executive Service (SES) conflict of interest requirements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of Airservices Australia’s management of the OneSKY contract.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) management of compliance in paying claims.

The objective of this audit is examine whether Department of Defence's (Defence’s) management of the Strategic Domestic Munitions Manufacturing (SDMM) contract has achieved value for money and the effective delivery of the contracted arrangements.

The objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission’s (NDIS Commission's) regulatory functions.

Grants are widely used to achieve Government policy outcomes. This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Education's administration of a selection of grant programs, including those delivered with third parties. The audit would consider the design of the grants programs and whether the administration and management of the grant programs are consistent with the Australian Government Grants Framework.

The Australian Government can undertake investments through a range of models to achieve policy and investment outcomes. This audit would assess the effectiveness of the utilisation of these investment models for a selection of investments. The audit would consider the design and governance arrangements of the selected investment models.

The goal of the $250 million Emerging Markets Impact Investment Fund (EMIIF) is to help address access to finance challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South and South East Asia. It invests in funds and other financial intermediaries that in turn invest in early and growth stage SMEs with investments in the range of USD5,000 to USD2 million. The May 2023–24 Federal Budget measure that increased the size of the EMIIF stated that the majority of assistance would be provided via equity and loans (rather than grants), the cost of which will be met from Australia’s existing Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding.

EMIIF is an investment trust with DFAT as the sole beneficiary. Day to day management is undertaken by the investment manager appointed by DFAT and investment decision making is undertaken by the investment committee appointed by DFAT, as well as representatives from the investment manager. The design of EMIIF was intended to enable appropriate DFAT oversight by a DFAT delegate for the EMIIF being responsible for making any contractual and strategic decisions, who would be advised by an SES-level Impact Investing Advisory Group to provide advice, guidance and support regarding the overall direction and implementation of EMIIF and DFAT’s other impact investing programs. In addition, a Secretariat within DFAT is responsible for the day-to-day management of EMIIF, including interaction with counterparties to monitor ongoing performance, disseminate information and prepare relevant reporting to the advisory group or decision-makers.

The audit would examine DFAT’s establishment and oversight of the EMIIF.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Fraud Fusion Taskforce, to determine how government agencies work together to detect, resolve and prevent fraud and serious organised crime in the NDIS, while maintaining a focus on participant safety and welfare.

The NDIS Fraud Fusion Taskforce commenced in November 2022, co-led by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and Services Australia, with 14 other government agencies including the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. $126.3 million was allocated over four years in the October 2022–23 Federal Budget to establish the taskforce.

The 2024–25 Federal Budget allocated funding of $35.6 million, in addition to the allocation of $48.3 million over two years from 2023–24, to boost fraud detecting information technology systems at the NDIA and $23.5 million over two years for Services Australia to continue fraud investigation and response activities as part of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce.

The Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) require that, in order to draw the market’s early attention to potential opportunities, each entity must maintain on AusTender a current procurement plan containing a short strategic procurement outlook. Entity procurement plans are also to include the subject matter of any significant planned procurement and the estimated publication date of the approach to market. Plans are to be updated regularly throughout the year. As at November 2023, 52% of the 133 reporting entities had not updated their procurement plans in over two years. Of the 3,752 open tenders published on AusTender between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2023, 799 (21.3%) were reported as having been included in an Annual Procurement Plan.

This audit would examine the preparation of entity procurement plans and their effectiveness, including by analysing the extent to which significant procurements conducted had been included in the relevant annual procurement plan.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of the allocation of funding for assistive technology supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including how the NDIA assesses these supports as reasonable and necessary for each participant and manages associated fraud risks.

Assistive technology is a support category for devices, mobility aides, software, equipment, vehicle modifications or animals that assist people with disability to do things more easily, safely or independently. Funding for assistive technology under the NDIS must meet ‘reasonable and necessary’ decision criteria. In the twelve months to 30 September 2023, assistive technology accounted for 3 per cent ($1.4 billion) of annualised committed supports in current participant plans.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) in the development and implementation of frameworks to govern the use of new and emerging technologies. DISR has oversight of frameworks that support Australian industries (private sector) and DTA oversees Australian Government entities’ application of emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI).

The Australian Government announced $101.2 million in the 2023–24 Federal Budget to support businesses to integrate quantum and AI technologies into their operations. The investment is expected to support the creation of 1.2 million tech-related jobs by 2030, increasing local capacity and capability and driving the uptake of these technologies.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of Defence’s establishment and management of the Major Service Provider (MSP) Panel.

The MSP Agreement 2018–2026 was established to facilitate the engagement and management of large, long-term, multi-discipline and integrated work packages across the air, land and maritime capability domains. Defence selected four consortia (comprising 13 companies) as MSPs under the panel arrangements, which commenced in February 2018. AusTender data as at December 2023 indicated that the four MSPs had been awarded 351 contracts with a reported total value of $4.47 billion since the commencement of the panel in February 2018.

This audit would assess the implementation of the Australian Public Service (APS) ethical frameworks by the Australian Taxation Office. The APS ethical frameworks comprise the legal framework (the basis of which is the Public Service Act 1999 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013); activity-specific frameworks (such as the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines); government policies; and entity-specific frameworks (including the requirements of enabling legislation, Accountable Authority Instructions and other internal policies).

This is part of a series of audits on the implementation of ethical frameworks in APS Agencies.

The audit would assess the administration of procurement on the construction and development of the National Security Office precinct.

The Department of Finance is leading the development of a National Security Office Precinct (Precinct) at the York Park in Barton, ACT. The Precinct will provide a permanent solution to the critical accommodation and capability requirements of several national security and other Commonwealth agencies. The Precinct is expected to accommodate up to 5,000 workers.

In 2005, a 12-year $106 million contract was entered into by the Australian Government for helicopter response, surveillance and logistics support missions to prevent people smuggling and manage other maritime threats across the North West approaches of Australia. The term of the contract is due to expire in 2024 at an estimated total cost of $182 million. The Department of Home Affairs’ Annual Procurement Plan includes conducting a procurement in 2023—24 to replace this contract.

As set out in Auditor-General Report No. 6 2021–22, Management of the Civil Maritime Surveillance Services Contract the rotary wing contract is the second and smaller of two contracts the department has in place for aerial surveillance. The procurement process for, and management of, the rotary wing services contract was not examined in Auditor-General Report No. 6 of 2021–22 Management of the Civil Maritime Surveillance Contract. The conduct of the procurement of a new contract for rotary wing surveillance, response and logistic support services will provide an early indication of whether lessons have been learned from the management of the civil maritime surveillance services contract examined in that Auditor-General Report. The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has recommended that the ANAO undertake a performance audit of the Department of Home Affairs’ transition to the new surveillance services contract when the current contract expires (in 2027).

The audit would assess whether the conduct of the procurement employed open and effective competition and achieved value for money, consistent with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs).

The audit will assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (Health’s) approach to health provider compliance, including its response to the 2023 Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance. The audit will also examine the Professional Services Review Scheme, which investigates Medicare-referred cases of possible inappropriate practice in relation to Medicare, Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Health has policy responsibility for Medicare, the CDBS and the PBS. Through its Health Benefit Compliance Program, the department aims to support the integrity of health benefit claims through prevention, early identification and treatment of incorrect claiming, inappropriate practice and fraud. Auditor-General Report No. 17 2020–21 Managing Health Provider Compliance found that the department’s approach to health provider compliance was partially effective, due in part to a lack of risk-based compliance planning and monitoring of compliance outcomes. The Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance (the Philip Review), completed in March 2023, made a number of recommendations to strengthen the integrity of the Medicare system and its health provider compliance mechanisms. In the 2023–24 Federal Budget Health received $29.8 million to establish a taskforce to respond to the review’s recommendations. In the 2024–25 Budget, Health received $18.1 million over four years to extend and expand the government’s response to the Philip Review.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) in managing its backlog of compensation claims under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

DVA is responsible for processing veteran compensation claims for liability, permanent impairment and incapacity. As at September 2022, DVA had a backlog of 45,226 compensation claims (claims not allocated to a claims officer). The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s August 2022 Interim Report included a recommendation for DVA to eliminate the claims backlog. The Australian Government agreed to the recommendation. The Australian Government provided $298 million over four years (across October 2022–23 and May 2023–24 Federal Budgets), to employ 500 additional frontline staff to process claims and maintain a skilled workforce. As at 30 April 2024, DVA had allocated 94.3 per cent of the backlog identified by the Royal Commission (41,799) and there were 73,590 claims with a claims officer for processing.

This audit would assess to what extent the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has effectively managed its procurement contracts for Inland Rail.

Inland Rail is a key government infrastructure project. It involves building and operating a freight train line from Brisbane to Melbourne. Construction started in 2017 and is expected to finish in 2026.

In August 2021, the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee published a report which highlighted concerns with Inland Rail’s 2015 business case (Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, Inland Rail: derailed from the start (2021)). In October 2022, the Australian Government announced an independent review into Inland Rail. This was completed in April 2023 and made 19 recommendations focused around strengthening governance, reviewing risk approaches, assessing the scope and cost of Inland Rail including a revised delivery approach, consideration of further intermodal terminals, and maximising regional opportunities. The government agreed to all 19 recommendations.

This audit would examine the stand up and early implementation of the Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs), including the selection of locations and providers for UCCs, and the establishment of performance measures and monitoring arrangements to enable the Department of Health and Aged Care to ensure UCCs are achieving their intended outcomes.

In the 2023–24 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced $358.5 million over five years from 2022–23 to establish 58 UCCs. The UCCs aimed to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and make it easier for Australian families to see a doctor or a nurse when they require urgent but not life-threatening care. All UCCs were to be open during extended business hours, with no appointments required, and no out-of-pocket costs for patients. In the 2024–25 Federal Budget, the government announced $227.0 million over three years from 2023–24 to boost the capacity of UCCs (including a further 29 to be established for a total of 87) and provide additional support to clinics in regional and rural Australia.

The audit would assess the effectiveness of the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s (NIAA’s) management of the regional network, including whether the regional network is achieving its objectives.

The NIAA administers the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS). The IAS is supported by the NIAA’s regional network, which aims to position senior decision makers close to the people and communities they work with, in order to develop and implement local solutions to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Auditor-General Report No. 7 2018–19 Management of the Regional Network found that the effectiveness of the management of the regional network was mixed, and the full potential of the regional network to facilitate the design and delivery of local solutions to local problems was not being maximized.

This audit would assess how the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) monitors and assesses outcomes for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and uses that data to assess the effectiveness of NDIS funded supports, supports the maintenance of the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) and informs continuous improvement of NDIA processes.

The 2024–25 Federal Budget provided $45.5 million over four years (and $13.3 million per year ongoing) to establish a NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee to provide advice to government on the efficacy and cost-benefits of types of supports funded by the NDIS, aimed at improving outcomes and ensuring better value for participants.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services’ administration of grants awarded under the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program (Safe Places), including compliance with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines, and management of the grants across the Safe Places program life cycle.

Safe Places is a capital works program funding the building, renovation or purchase of emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. There have been two rounds of funding. Under successive National Plans to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, the Australian Government has committed over $170 million over seven years to Safe Places ($72.6 million for round 1 from 2020–21 to 2024–25, and $100 million for round 2 from 2022–23 to 2026–2027). The first round of grants, awarded in 2020, was intended to deliver new emergency and crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. The second round of grants, expected to be awarded in mid 2024, was designed to focus on improving access to appropriate emergency accommodation for First Nations women and children, women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women and children with disability.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of arrangements to establish Environment Protection Australia.

Environment Protection Australia (EPA) is an element of the Australian Government’s response to the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) (Samuel Review). The EPA will be the national environmental protection agency, responsible for issuing permits and licenses; project assessments, decisions and post-approvals; compliance and enforcement; and assurance of the application of National Environmental Standards under accredited arrangements with the states and territories. The 2023–24 Federal Budget provided $121 million over four years (from 2023–24) to establish the EPA.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Department of the Treasury, Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in managing residual risks still in existence after the abolition of the Modernising Business Registers program, and the management of risks after registry functions were transferred back to ASIC.

In 2020, as part of its Digital Business Plan, the Australian Government announced the full implementation of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program to establish Australian Business Registry Services, and to streamline the way in which people register, view, and maintain business information with government. The Modernising Business Registers program was halted in August 2023.

This audit would assess the extent to which entities’ use of the Management Advisory Services Panel supported the achievement of value for money.

The Management Advisory Services Panel (SON3751667) is a cooperative procurement arrangement managed by the Department of Finance. Such arrangements are intended to improve the quality, consistency, and efficiency of the procurement of Management Advisory Services by Commonwealth entities, while supporting entities to achieve value for money outcomes. The Panel supersedes the Business Advisory Services Panel, which ceased operation on 25 October 2022. As of 20 February 2023, there were 413 suppliers on the Panel, and all Australian Government agencies are authorised to access it.

This audit would assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO’s) management of taxpayers involved in the ATO’s Client Identity Support Centre (CISC).

When an individual has had their identity compromised, the ATO through the CISC supports the taxpayer to continue to participate in the taxation and superannuation system with further safeguards around their ATO account, and monitoring processes over their tax records.

In its Report 495 Inquiry into Commonwealth Grants Administration, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) recommended that the ANAO considers a future audit of the process by which the Minister for Finance is informed of grant approvals against the recommendation of the awarding agency. A cross portfolio audit examining this aspect of the grants framework was last conducted by the ANAO in 2011–12 (Auditor-General Report No. 21 2011–12 Administration of Grant Reporting Obligations). It is envisaged that a similar audit methodology will be employed, including undertaking a comprehensive analysis of agency briefs over a specified period provided to Ministerial decision-makers. The potential audit would also examine any analysis undertaken by the Department of Finance of reports provided to the Minister for Finance, and any resulting advice to the Minister for Finance either on a particular grant award or the grants framework.