The Auditor-General for New South Wales, Margaret Crawford, released a report today examining the effectiveness of Service NSW’s handling of customers’ personal information to ensure its privacy. The audit found that Service NSW is not effectively handling personal customer and business information to ensure its privacy. Service NSW continues to use business processes that pose a risk to the privacy of personal information. This includes the routine ema

This report outlines whether the Department of Customer Service (the department) has effective controls in place to ensure the integrity of data in the Births, Deaths and Marriages Register (the register), and to prevent unauthorised access and misuse. The audit found that the department has processes in place to ensure that the information entered in the register is accurate and that any changes to it are validated. Although there are controls in place

Efforts to address homelessness in NSW are guided by the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2018-23. This Strategy aims to facilitate collaboration between the Government sector, non-government organisations and the community to reduce the impact of homelessness on individuals and improve outcomes for people and families. The 2018–19 Budget committed $1.0 billion for homelessness services over four years. Under the NSW COVID-19 Stage 2 stimulus in March 2020, the

The 2019–20 bushfire emergencies, and the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on the people and public sector of New South Wales. The scale of government responses to both events has also been significant and has encompassed a wide range of activities, service delivery, governance and policy. Significant resources have been directed for emergency responses, and in assisting rebuilding and economic recovery. Some systems and processes have cha

In February 2019 the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation launched the NSW Cyber Security Policy to ensure all NSW Government Departments and Public Service Agencies are managing cyber security risks to their information and systems. The policy mandates a number of requirements that are a minimum that all agencies must implement. In addition agencies must assess their level of cyber maturity. This audit will examine whether agencies are complyi

People living in many regional areas of New South Wales have few or no public transport options, with many relying on taxis and buses servicing small areas. Residents who want to participate in employment, education, recreation or access health services outside their areas must use private vehicles. This limits the mobility and opportunities of many people who do not have access to private vehicles. As part of its Future Transport 2056 strategy the NSW G

Local Health Districts manage large volumes of private patient information and have their own systems for data management with differing approaches to data protection. Clinicians in busy hospital environments require timely access to data and systems to effectively treat patients. Increased accessibility may in turn increase the risk of poor data and system security practices. Recent experience in other jurisdictions has also demonstrated that operationa

The NSW Government makes decisions that involve the spending of significant sums, and that have substantial impacts on citizens. This audit will focus on the advice provided for the redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium. This audit may examine the adequacy of planning and risk management approaches and whether these: were informed by appropriate and robust departmental advice complied with relevant procurement and assurance frameworks.

In response to the 2019-20 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSW Government released significant funds for a range of grant programs aimed at providing emergency support, recovery and economic stimulus across NSW. In 2020, the $750 million dollar Small Business Support Fund was set up to support small businesses and a number of grants rounds have been implemented. This audit will assess whether grants administered under the Small Business Support

Domestic and family violence is a crime that takes many forms including emotional and psychological abuse, intimidation, harassment, stalking and sexual assault and can include animal abuse targeting pets, and damaging personal or joint property. The NSW Police Force plays a vital role in investigating domestic and family violence incidents and supporting victim-survivors. This audit will assess the effectiveness of the NSW Police Force in responding to