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Reports

Published

Actions for Internal controls and governance 2021

Internal controls and governance 2021

Whole of Government
Compliance
Cyber security

This report analyses the internal controls and governance of the 25 largest agencies in the NSW public sector, excluding state owned corporations and public financial corporations, for the year ended 30 June 2021. Our preferred approach is to table the ‘Report on State Finances’ in Parliament before any other cluster report. This is because the ‘Report on State Finances’ focuses on the audit results and observations relating to the Total State Sector Ac

Published

Actions for Government advertising 2020-21

Government advertising 2020-21

Premier and Cabinet
Compliance
Management and administration

The Government Advertising Act 2011 requires the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit on government advertising activities each financial year. This audit looked at whether three campaigns run by Destination NSW (DNSW) during 2020–21 were carried out in an effective, economical and efficient manner: Love Sydney (comprising two sub campaigns being ‘Sydney - Love It Like You Mean It’ and ‘Get Your Sydney On’) L

Published

Actions for Machinery of government changes

Machinery of government changes

Premier and Cabinet
Treasury
Whole of Government
Management and administration
Project management

The term ‘machinery of government’ refers to the way government functions and responsibilities are organised. The decision to make machinery of government changes is made by the Premier. Changes may be made for a range of reasons, including to support the policy and/or political objectives of the government of the day. Larger machinery of government changes typically occur after an election or a change of Premier. This report

Published

Actions for Compliance with the NSW Cyber Security Policy

Compliance with the NSW Cyber Security Policy

Whole of Government
Compliance
Cyber security
Information technology

This audit assessed nine agencies’ compliance with the NSW Cyber Security Policy (CSP) including whether, during the year to 30 June 2020, the participating agencies: met their reporting obligations under the CSP reported accurate self-assessments of their level of maturity implementing the CSP’s requirements including the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) Essential 8. What we found Key elements to strengthen cybe

Published

Actions for Managing climate risks to assets and services

Managing climate risks to assets and services

Planning
Environment
Treasury
Industry
Infrastructure
Management and administration
Risk
Service delivery

This report assessed how effectively the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and NSW Treasury have supported state agencies to manage climate risks to their assets and services. Climate risks that can impact on state agencies' assets and services include flooding, bushfires, and extreme temperatures. Impacts can include damage to transport, communications and energy infrastructure, increases in hospital admi

Published

Actions for Fast-tracked Assessment Program

Fast-tracked Assessment Program

Planning
Industry
Environment
Compliance
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Service delivery

This report examines the effectiveness of the Fast-tracked Assessment Program, administered by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) between April 2020 and October 2020.  The program aimed to support the construction industry during the COVID-19 crisis by accelerating the final assessment stages for planning proposals and development applications.  DPIE selected projects and planning proposals f

Published

Actions for Managing cyber risks

Managing cyber risks

Whole of Government
Transport
Cyber security
Information technology
Internal controls and governance
Procurement
Risk

This audit assessed how effectively Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and Sydney Trains identify and manage their cyber security risks. The NSW Cyber Security Policy (CSP) sets out 25 mandatory requirements for agencies, including implementing the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential 8 strategies to mitigate cyber security incidents, and identifying the agency’s most vital systems, their ‘crown jewels’.  The audited agenc

Published

Actions for Universities 2020 audits

Universities 2020 audits

Universities
Cyber security
Financial reporting
Internal controls and governance

Results of the financial statement audits of the public universities in NSW for the year ended 31 December 2020. What we found Unqualified audit opinions were issued for all ten universities. Two universities reported retrospective corrections of prior period errors. Universities were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with student enrolments decreasing in 2020 compared to 2019 by 10,032 (3.3 per cent). Of this decrease 8,310

Published

Actions for Review of Eight Agencies' Annual Reports

Review of Eight Agencies' Annual Reports

Whole of Government
Management and administration

Overall, we found there have been some improvements in the quality of annual reports since 2000. Most agencies now report key outcomes and results, provide performance data and trends and employ both qualitative and quantitative measures of performance. However, there was considerable variation in the quality of performance information in annual reports. Some agencies still focus on reporting activities and projects rather than outcomes and results. And

Published

Actions for Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information

Transport
Premier and Cabinet
Education
Management and administration
Regulation
Service delivery

Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinators and their staff were supportive of the legislation. However, the agencies examined can do considerably more to fully achieve the intentions of the Act. On the positive side, all three agencies had processes in place to handle requests and had made a number of changes to improve the effectiveness of the FOI process. Fees and charges had also been kept to a minimum. No processing fees were requested in the majority