Reports
Actions for Family and Community Services 2017
Family and Community Services 2017
The following report focuses on key observations and findings from the most recent audits of agencies in the Family and Community Services cluster.
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.
1. Financial reporting and controls
Quality of financial reporting | Unqualified audit opinions were issued for all cluster agencies' financial statements. |
Timeliness of financial reporting | Agencies completed mandatory early close procedures and all but one agency submitted financial statements by the statutory deadline. |
Internal controls | The 2016–17 audits reported 29 internal control improvements to cluster agencies’ management. None of these findings were high risk. Eleven related to information technology control weaknesses in key financial business systems. |
2. Service Delivery
Commissioning | Non-government organisations (NGOs) received $2.6 billion in 2016–17 to deliver services. |
Children and young people |
The Department of Family and Community Services data indicates that family preservation programs are reducing the number of children and young people entering statutory care. The Department's data shows 86 per cent of children and young people in statutory care had their placements reviewed in the 12 months to 30 June 2017. Legislation requires all placements are reviewed at least every 12 months. |
Social Housing | The Department's data shows waiting times for social housing applicants are longer than last year. |
People with disability | Under the current timetable for implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Department plans to transfer direct disability services to NGOs by 30 June 2018. |
This report provides Parliament and others with the audit results, observations, conclusions and recommendations for Family and Community Services cluster agencies. The report has been structured into two chapters focusing on financial reporting and controls and service delivery.
The Family and Community Services cluster works with children, adults, families and communities to improve lives and help people realise their potential.
This chapter outlines audit observations, conclusions and recommendations related to the financial reporting and controls of agencies in the Family and Community Services cluster for 2016–17.
Financial reporting is an important element of good governance. Confidence in public sector decision making and transparency is enhanced when financial reporting is accurate and timely.
Appropriate financial controls help ensure the efficient and effective use of resources and administration of agency policies. They are essential for quality and timely decision making.
Observation | Conclusion or recommendation |
2.1 Quality of financial reporting | |
Unqualified audit opinions were issued for all cluster agencies' financial statements. | The quality of financial reporting remains high across the cluster. |
2.2 Timeliness of financial reporting | |
Agencies completed mandatory early close procedures and all but one submitted financial statements by the deadline. | Early close procedures continue to allow issues and financial reporting risk areas to be addressed early in the audit process. There are opportunities to improve effectiveness of early close procedures. |
2.3 Internal controls | |
The 2016–17 audits reported 29 internal control weaknesses. While none were high risk, the Department had five repeat issues. |
Management accepted the audit findings and advised they are actioning recommendations. Timely action is important to ensure internal controls operate effectively. |
Eleven of these internal control weaknesses were related to IT system user access administration and security over financial systems. |
Controls weaknesses may compromise the integrity and security of financial data. Recommendation Agencies should:
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Government outcomes can be improved by delivering the right mix of services, whether from the public, private or not for profit sectors. Service delivery reform will be most successful if there is clear accountability for service delivery outcomes, decisions are aligned to strategic direction and performance is monitored and evaluated.
This chapter outlines our audit observations, conclusions and recommendations related to service delivery by agencies in the Family and Community Services cluster for 2016–17.
Observation | Conclusion or recommendation |
3.1 Commissioning |
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Non-government organisations (NGOs) received $2.6 billion funding in 2016–17 to deliver services. | Commissioning of service delivery can change the profile of risks that need to be managed. The Department has established a Commissioning Division and developed its ‘Commissioning for Better Outcomes Framework’. |
3.2 Children and young people |
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All the Department's Districts are accredited to provide out-of-home care services. The Department's data indicates 66 more children and young people were in statutory care at 30 June 2017 compared to 30 June 2016. This contrasts to the previous year where 1,150 more children were in statutory care at 30 June 2016 than at 30 June 2015. |
The Department is complying with out-of-home care service standards, but one District has an additional condition attached to its accreditation. Department’s data indicates that family preservation programs are having a positive impact.. |
The Department's data shows 86 per cent of children and young people in statutory care had their placement reviewed at 30 June 2017. The Department’s data shows, at 30 June 2017, 41 per cent of children and young people with closed case plans for the 12 months ended 30 June 2016 were re-reported at risk of significant harm. |
The Department did not meet the legislative requirement to review the placement of all children and young people in statutory care annually. The number of children being re-reported at risk of significant harm is above the Premier’s Priority target of 34 per cent by June 2019. |
3.3. Social Housing |
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Waiting time for priority and non-priority social housing applicants increased in 2016–17, by 19 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. | Some factors impacting waiting time for social housing applicants are outside the control of the Department. |
3.4 People with disability |
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A Bilateral Agreement between the Australian and NSW Governments sets out how eligible persons access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018. |
Under the timetable for the NDIS, the Department plans to transfer direct disability services to NGOs. |
Actions for Agency compliance with NSW Government travel policies
Agency compliance with NSW Government travel policies
Overall, agencies materially complied with NSW Government travel policies.
However, the Auditor-General found some agencies:
- did not always book official travel through the approved supplier
- had weaknesses in their travel approval processes
- had travel policies that were inconsistent with the NSW Government policy
- did not adequately manage their travel records.
We asked the 15 participating agencies to complete a self assessment of the processes they have implemented to comply with the new policy. The key observations are summarised below.
Actions for Office of Strategic Lands
Office of Strategic Lands
The Office of Strategic Lands effectively fulfils most aspects of its defined role, however, it could do more to support strategic land planning by identifying and acquiring land for future public use proactively rather than waiting for agencies or landholders to approach it. It may also have greater impact if it expanded its activities beyond greater Sydney.
The Office of Strategic Lands (OSL) was established under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) to identify, acquire, manage and divest land required for long-term planning by the NSW Government, particularly for open space and public purposes.
OSL is a Corporation Sole acting on behalf of the Minister for Planning and is run within the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). OSL is a self-funding entity, and is responsible for administering the Sydney Region Development Fund (SRDF), a statutory fund used for ongoing land acquisition and management. OSL currently only operates within greater Sydney and holds over a billion dollars in land assets in this region.
This audit assessed whether OSL effectively fulfils its role to identify, acquire, manage and dispose of land, and whether OSL ensures it is sustainable over the long-term to meet its objectives.
Conclusion:
OSL effectively fulfils most aspects of its defined role, but is not supporting strategic land planning through proactive identification and acquisition of land for future public use. OSL is diligent in its financial management over the short and medium terms. However, it has identified that relying on the sale of surplus land to continue funding its ongoing operations is not sustainable, and it is yet to finalise a strategy to address this.
OSL does not currently have a strategic or proactive focus to improve land planning outcomes. This is primarily due to the lack of a clear strategy and business plan to direct its work which defines OSL’s purpose, objectives, goals and performance targets.
OSL expects to finalise and implement a Strategic Business Plan to guide its future direction and long-term sustainability, in late 2017.
OSL has three primary sources of funding. The largest source is Treasury loans which it needs to repay. The next most significant source of funding is from sales of land no longer required for government’s long-term needs. OSL has identified that it is likely to run out of surplus land within ten years. This is a significant financial risk for OSL, which should be addressed through a long-term financial strategy.
Contributions by Sydney councils into the SRDF are OSL’s only regular and consistent income stream. The formula to calculate these contributions has not been reviewed for over 25 years, and recent council mergers and border changes have increased the need to review the formula.
OSL is not used as extensively as it could be by other NSW Government agencies. It has the potential to play a much bigger role in assisting NSW Government agencies with longer term planning by partnering with them to identify, acquire, hold and manage land for future needs. For example, it could acquire land in future residential growth areas for needed public services such as schools, hospitals and transport corridors. There is also potential for OSL to expand its operations beyond the greater Sydney region into other parts of NSW to provide a statewide benefit from its unique role in government.
OSL has a unique role amongst government agencies, and could be used across NSW
NSW Government agencies we spoke with consider OSL fulfils an important role for the state that no other government agency performs. As a self-funding long-term land holder and manager, OSL can acquire and manage land beyond the four-year budget cycle that other government agencies face. Consideration should be given to expanding to other growth areas in NSW, where its unique role could assist in longer term land planning.
OSL has established good processes and procedures for most aspects of its role. This includes governance processes that we found to have been applied effectively. There was also adequate oversight and approvals for land transactions.
OSL has yet to finalise a business strategy to ensure long-term sustainability
OSL has shown that it is financially and operationally viable in the short to medium term. However, it does not have an overarching business strategy to guide its operations and ensure it is financially sustainable for the long-term. With a unique role in government, it is important for OSL to clarify its direction and implement a strategic business plan to drive its progress.
While there is no overarching long-term strategy, OSL has documented operating plans which guide its land acquisition and land divestment activities over the short to medium term. It has not developed a plan for its ongoing land management activities.
OSL advised that its Strategic Business Plan will be finalised and implemented in late 2017. This Plan should clarify OSL’s long-term direction, and guide its business to ensure it is financially sustainable.
OSL does not have adequate performance targets and measures
OSL has four key deliverables as part of DPE’s business plan. These deliverables cover land management, working with other agencies, and ensuring the SRDF is sustainable. There was no evidence that OSL or DPE monitor whether OSL achieves all key deliverables.
Currently, OSL’s performance targets are limited to meeting dollar values. OSL does not have any measures to demonstrate the achievement of outcomes that align with its core business, such as its success in land management or in working with other agencies. OSL staff also said that dollar targets were not always adequate or appropriate to measure its business performance.
With the development of its Strategic Business Plan, OSL has the opportunity to clarify its future business direction. This includes ensuring it has a range of relevant goals and performance measures that will support it becoming a strategic land planning partner with NSW Government agencies and local councils, and a land holder for the long-term.
OSL’s current financial management approach may impact long-term sustainability
OSL has valued the land that it needs to purchase on behalf of government to meet long-term strategic land needs in the Greater Sydney region, at $1.2 billion. However, OSLs annual budget for purchasing land is only between $40 million and $50 million until 2021. Also, in each of the last four years, OSL has not spent more than $30 million on land purchases because it relies on landowners to initiate contact when they are ready to sell their land.
Without a more proactive approach, it is not possible for OSL to make needed purchases in a timely manner. OSL acknowledges the substantial gap between these values, but has not established a budget or plan for how it will purchase all the identified land.
OSL has developed a Divestment Strategy which provides a five-year schedule of planned divestments. This is land OSL owns which has been identified as no longer required for government purposes. OSL has established an approach to generate the best and highest price for these sales. While funds are generated through the sale of surplus land, it also means that OSL holds fewer land assets to sell. OSL has identified it will run out of surplus land within ten years.
OSL needs to finalise and implement a business model to ensure it is financially and operationally capable to sustain and grow its business for the long-term.
OSL is working to improve transparency and engagement with key stakeholders
To deliver on its role, OSL needs to be able to effectively engage and work with its stakeholders, including NSW Government agencies, local councils, and people selling or buying land.
NSW Government agencies we spoke with are generally satisfied with OSL’s level of engagement and consultation. However, it would be beneficial for all parties to clarify and document their expectations of each other through a formal arrangement. OSL could also be more proactive in promoting its services, and working with additional NSW Government agencies to identify strategic lands.
The local councils in the Sydney region we spoke with are not as satisfied with OSL’s engagement and communication. The councils advised that they do not consider they are well-informed of OSL’s plans for their area, or how their contributions to the SRDF are spent.
More broadly, the activities of OSL are not reported transparently to stakeholders or the general public. OSL is developing a communication package for local councils and the community. This is an opportunity for OSL to improve the transparency of its role, operations, projects, and the SRDF, as well as promote its services and achievements.
The Office of Strategic Lands (OSL) was established in 1951 to identify, acquire, manage and divest land required for the NSW Government's long term planning purposes. OSL acts on behalf of the Minister for Planning, as a Corporation Sole, under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act).
OSL acquires and manages land identified for long-term strategic needs, and then transfers or sells it to other government agencies for ultimate use. It also sells land identified as surplus to government’s long term strategic requirements. Surplus land can also be transferred to local councils. OSL operates only in the greater Sydney region (from Wyong in the north, to the base of the Blue Mountains in the west, and south to Wollondilly). OSL has 20 staff who manage over 6,000 parcels of land.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #290 - released 10 August 2017
Actions for Universities 2016 Audits
Universities 2016 Audits
No qualified opinions were issued on the universities’ financial statements and the quality and timeliness of financial reporting continued to improve. The report found that all NSW universities recorded a surplus in 2016 with combined revenue growth exceeding expense growth by 1.1 per cent. Universities have diversified revenue sources and are now less reliant on government grants. Combined overseas student income exceeded domestic student income for the first time in 2016.
This report focuses on key observations and common issues identified from our financial audits of the ten NSW universities and their controlled entities in 2016. The universities are listed in Appendix Three.
In this report, parliament and other users of universities’ financial statements are provided with an analysis of universities’ results and key observations in the following areas:
- Financial Performance and Reporting
- Financial Controls
- Governance
- Teaching and Research.
Snapshot of NSW universities
A snapshot of NSW universities for the year ended 31 December 2016 is shown below.
Financial performance and reporting are important elements of good governance. Confidence in public sector decision making and transparency is enhanced when financial reporting is accurate and timely.
This chapter outlines audit findings on financial performance and reporting of NSW universities for 2016.
Appropriate financial controls help ensure the efficient and effective use of resources and the implementation and administration of university policies. They are essential for quality and timely decision making.
In 2016, our audit teams made the following key observations on the financial controls of NSW universities.
Teaching and research are core activities of universities. The quality of teaching is a key driver for growth and attracting students. Through research, universities contribute to economic growth, lead innovation and improve their global rankings.
This chapter reports on teaching and research in NSW universities for 2016.
Actions for 2016 - An overview
2016 - An overview
This report focuses on key observations and findings from 2016 audits and highlights key areas of focus for financial and performance audits in 2017.
Financial reporting | |
Observation | Conclusion |
Only one qualified audit opinion was issued on the 2015–16 financial statements of NSW public sector agencies, compared to two in 2014–15. | The quality of financial reporting continued to improve across the NSW public sector. |
More 2015–16 financial statements and audit opinions were signed within three months of the year end. | Timely financial reporting was facilitated by more agencies resolving significant accounting issues early, completing asset valuations on time and compiling sufficient evidence to support financial statement balances. |
NSW Treasury’s early close procedures in 2015–16 were again successful in improving the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, largely facilitated by the early resolution of accounting issues. For 2016–17, NSW Treasury has narrowed the scope of mandatory early close procedures. |
The narrowed scope of mandatory early close procedures may diminish the good performance in ensuring the quality and timeliness of financial reporting achieved in recent years. To mitigate this risk, NSW Treasury has mandated that agencies perform non-financial asset valuations and prepare proforma financial statements in their early close procedures. It also encourages them to continue with the good practices embedded in recent years. |
Although most agencies complied with NSW Treasury’s early close asset revaluation procedures we identified areas where they can improve. | Asset revaluations need to commence early enough to ensure all assets are identified and the results are analysed, recorded and reflected accurately in the early close financial statements. |
Number of misstatements | |||||
Year ended 30 June | 2015-16 | 2014-15 | 2013-14 | 2012-13 | 2011-12 |
Total reported misstatements | 298 | 396 | 459 | 661 | 1,077 |
All material misstatements identified by agencies and audit teams were corrected before the financial statements and audit opinions were signed. A material misstatement relates to an incorrect amount, classification, presentation or disclosure in the financial statements that could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users.
Significant matters reported to the portfolio Minister, Treasurer and Agency Head
In 2015–16, we reported the following significant matters to the portfolio Minister, Treasurer and agency head in our Statutory Audit Reports:
Appropriate financial controls help ensure the efficient and effective use of resources and the implementation and administration of agency policies. They are essential for quality and timely decision making.
In 2015–16, our audit teams made the following key observations on the financial controls of NSW public sector agencies.
Financial controls | |
Observation | Conclusion |
More needs to be done to implement audit recommendations on a timely basis. We found 212 internal control issues identified in previous audits had not been adequately addressed by 30 June 2016. |
Delays in implementing audit recommendations can impact the quality of financial information and the effectiveness of decision making. Agencies need to ensure they have action plans, timeframes and assigned responsibilities to address recommendations in a timely manner. |
Agencies continue to face challenges managing information security. Most information technology issues we identified related to poor IT user administration in areas like password controls and inappropriate access. | Agencies should review the design and effectiveness of information security controls to ensure data is adequately protected. |
We found shared service provider agreements did not always adequately address information security requirements. |
Where agencies use shared service providers they should consider whether the service level arrangements adequately address information security. |
Thirteen of 108 agencies required to attest to having a minimum set of information security controls did not do so in their 2015 annual reports. | The 'NSW Government Digital Information Security Policy' recognises the growing need for effective information security. With cyber security threats continuing to increase as digital services expand we plan to look at cyber security as part of our 2017–18 performance audit program. |
We identified instances where service level agreements with shared service providers were outdated, signed too late or did not exist. | Corporate and shared service arrangements are more effective when service level arrangements are negotiated and signed in time, clearly detail rights and responsibilities and include meaningful KPIs, fee arrangements and dispute resolution processes. |
Internal controls at GovConnect, the private sector provider of transactional and information technology services to many NSW public sector agencies were ineffective in 2015–16. We found mitigating actions taken to manage transition risks from ServiceFirst to GovConnect were ineffective in ensuring effective control over client transactions and data. | The Department of Finance, Services and Innovation should ensure GovConnect addresses the control deficiencies. It should also examine the breakdowns in the transition of the shared service arrangements and apply the learnings to other services being transitioned to the private sector. |
Maintenance backlogs exist in several NSW public sector agencies, including Roads and Maritime Services, Sydney Trains, NSW Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice. | To address backlog maintenance it is important for agencies to have asset lifecycle planning strategies that ensure newly built and existing assets are funded and maintained to a desired service level. |
Actions for Planning and Environment 2016
Planning and Environment 2016
Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford released a report on the planning and environment cluster today, concluding that the quality of financial reporting is improving. However, the cluster can improve its financial controls and governance framework.
Actions for Family and Community Services 2016
Family and Community Services 2016
The Family and Community Services report was released today by the Acting Deputy Auditor-General. Financial reporting within the cluster continues to improve but there are opportunities to improve governance and performance reporting.
Actions for Fraud Survey
Fraud Survey
In a report released today, the NSW Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford provides a snapshot of reported fraud in the NSW public sector and an analysis of NSW Government agencies’ fraud controls based on a survey of 102 agencies.
Actions for Volume Five 2012 focusing on superannuation, compensation and housing
Volume Five 2012 focusing on superannuation, compensation and housing
The NSW Government’s defined benefit superannuation funds have had positive returns for the last three years. However, the returns fell significantly in 2011-12. Global economic conditions led to substantial volatility and uncertainty in markets creating challenges for superannuation funds’ trustees.
Actions for Volume Two 2012 focusing on Universities
Volume Two 2012 focusing on Universities
The Members tested substantially complied with the requirements of the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal’s (PRT) Determination for the year ended 30 June 2011. Findings note that the Department of Parliamentary Services should remind Members that they should not approve additional temporary staff claim forms before staff have worked the hours.