Foreword

The NSW public sector employs over 360,000 people in more than 100 agencies at an annual cost of around $20 billion. A recent government report estimated that a reduction in average sick leave of one day across the public sector would save around $45 million in direct replacement costs for front-line workers.

In the public sector, reduced sick leave can lead to better services to the public and better value for the taxpayer’s dollar. That was the focus of our 2002 audit which looked at sick leave in NSW Police and the Department of Corrective Services.

Periodically we review the extent to which agencies have changed their practices as a result of our audits. This gives Parliament and the public an update on the extent of progress made.

In this follow-up audit, we examine changes following our July 2002 report, and whether sick leave is lower now than in 2002 and is better managed in the two agencies.

Bob Sendt

Auditor-General

June 2006