Refine search Expand filter

Reports

Published

Actions for Environmental impact assessment of major projects in NSW

Environmental impact assessment of major projects in NSW

Environment
Management and administration
Regulation
Service delivery

The Audit Office is of the opinion that the basis for environmental impact assessment of major projects in NSW is sound. The key concept of 'environmental significance' is well defined. The system is closely specified. The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) leads a whole-of-government approach to environmental impact assessment and its assessments are comprehensive. However, the Audit Office considers that there are opportunities for im

Published

Actions for Educational Testing Centre

Educational Testing Centre

Universities
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Risk

Both the University of New South Wales' Internal Audit and HR reports identified serious deficiencies in the operation and management of the Education Training Centre (ETC). This performance audit verified those findings where appropriate, and they are referred to or incorporated within this report. In addition, we identified other weaknesses that are also presented here. All the findings point to a serious lack of management controls, proper accoun

Published

Actions for E-Government readiness assessment guide

E-Government readiness assessment guide

Whole of Government
Information technology
Internal controls and governance
Risk

The purpose of this document is to assist agencies in meeting the challenges of exploiting the benefits and managing the risks which e-government presents. Being 'e-ready' and managing the transition to e-government will not happen by chance. It is difficult and requires a careful and concerted effort. This guide draws from the research assembled in the performance audit, e-government - Use of the Internet and related technologies to improve public

Published

Actions for Controlling and reducing pollution from industry

Controlling and reducing pollution from industry

Planning
Environment
Compliance
Management and administration
Regulation

The regulatory framework introduced under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, along with other initiatives progressively being implemented by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), should enhance the overall effectiveness of environment protection in NSW. The Audit Office is of the opinion that the framework is consistent with best practice and once fully implemented, should contribute to the achievement of further improvements in

Published

Actions for Ambulance Service of NSW: Readiness to respond

Ambulance Service of NSW: Readiness to respond

Health
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Shared services and collaboration
Workforce and capability

This performance audit indicates that the Service has considerable work to do to reach its aspirations of being recognised amongst leading examples of best practice services. The commitment of the Service to serving the community and the professionalism of the Service's officers is not in question. It is, however, apparent that a number of barriers to performance will need to be overcome for the Service to perform as well as it would wish.   Parli

Published

Actions for TAFE NSW: Review of Administration

TAFE NSW: Review of Administration

Industry
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Shared services and collaboration

The Audit Office recognises that TAFE NSW has undergone significant change in the last decade in order to improve service delivery. Whilst the focus of change has been TAFE NSW's core educational role, administration has also benefited. The Quality Management Systems introduced by the Institutes are an example. The Audit Office is of the opinion that TAFE NSW needs a means by which the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative functions can be asse

Published

Actions for Sale of the TAB

Sale of the TAB

Treasury
Internal controls and governance
Procurement

The Audit Office is of the opinion that: the sale was delivered with reasonable efficiency and effectiveness the sale yielded a satisfactory return to the NSW Government. The possibility for a higher return was limited to about 2% to 4% on gross proceeds of $936m. It would have required setting a higher share price for all investors and adopting a more flexible approach to share allocation the Government’s objective to promote community an

Published

Actions for Department of state and regional development: Provision of industry assistance

Department of state and regional development: Provision of industry assistance

Industry
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration

Guidelines for staff are available for each of the three schemes, but they do not yet provide staff with sufficient information on how to attract proposals, undertake assessments, negotiate agreements and monitor assistance. Some training of staff responsible for assessing proposals, negotiating agreements and monitoring outcomes has been provided, but needs to be enhanced. In particular, The Audit Office believes that there is insufficient guidance for

Published

Actions for NSW Senior Executive Service: Professionalism and Integrity Volume 1 Part 1 Summary and Research Report

NSW Senior Executive Service: Professionalism and Integrity Volume 1 Part 1 Summary and Research Report

Premier and Cabinet
Internal controls and governance
Workforce and capability

The Audit Office is of the opinion that there are several features of the current Senior Executive Service (SES) model, or its application, which hinder the capacity of the SES to operate effectively in line with the Government’s stated objectives. The ultimate effect of these features is to reduce the capacity or perceived capacity of the SES to meet the Government’s objectives for the operation of the SES. Taken overall, difficulties in the SES i

Published

Actions for NSW Senior Executive Service: Professionalism and Integrity Volume 1 Part 2 SES Research

NSW Senior Executive Service: Professionalism and Integrity Volume 1 Part 2 SES Research

Premier and Cabinet
Internal controls and governance
Workforce and capability

This Performance Audit Report, prepared by the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) on behalf of The Audit Office of New South Wales (NSW), is a study of the NSW Senior Executive Service (SES). It found the dissonance between where optimal executive performance might take place on a performance spectrum, encompassing the formal SES and less formal political arenas, is canvassed. The critical point here is that this arena, between the informal politica