Family and Community Services 2017

The Acting Auditor-General, Ian Goodwin, released the report today on the Family and Community Services cluster. The report focuses on key observations and findings from the most recent audits of agencies in the cluster.

'It is pleasing to report that all cluster entities' financial statements received unqualified audit opinions for their 30 June 2017 financial statements,' the Acting Auditor-General said. 'The quality of financial reporting remains high.'

The report includes a range of findings on service delivery. The Department of Family and Community Services' data indicates that family preservation programs are having a positive impact on children and young people entering statutory care. On the other hand, waiting times for social housing applicants increased in 2016-17.

The report highlights that non-government organisations received $2.6 billion in government funding in 2016-17 to provide services to vulnerable children, young people and families and people with a disability. After 30 June 2018, the Australian Government through the National Disability Insurance Agency will pay providers of disability services.

Further information

Barry Underwood, Director, Office of the Auditor-General, on 9275 7220 or 0403 073 664 and email barry.underwood@audit.nsw.gov.au.