The NSW Audit Office has been placing emphasis on climate reporting in relation to government sectors, seen within Chapter 8 of their ‘State Agencies 2025’ report. When considering this in addition to their 2025 Coastal Management report and upcoming Water Management and Regulation report, consistent findings and recommendations can be observed. Rather than being reactionary, risk and audit committees should be ahead of regulatory curves and shifting demands.
The ANAO’s recent audits of ‘Closing the Gap in Schooling and Early Childhood Development’ and ‘Suicide Prevention Policy Development and Monitoring’ provides insights into areas of importance related to First Nations programs. Strengthening oversight in these areas will help committees promote accountability, improve data quality, and deliver meaningful outcomes for First Nations communities.
Projects demand alignment between system level performance frameworks and program level actions. This, and other practices including requiring evidence of data integrity, and ensuring client and stakeholder feedback is addressed, should be reinforced. A greater emphasis may improve processes surrounding performance monitoring and measurement.
The ANAO’s Draft 2026–27 Annual Audit Work Program outlines potential reviews for the upcoming financial year. The article is organised into potential performance audit topics, and prominent themes of Federal level reviews can be found throughout. This allows for the preparation of focus in specific areas from entities.
The Office of the Auditor General’s release of their Microsoft 365 Security Controls – State Entities Information Systems Audit reveals the ways cyber security remains a major concern for the public sector. Despite various reports surrounding cyber security within government agencies, various areas of moderate weaknesses in governance, information protection, identity and access management, and security management and visibility appear within the public sector’s M365 security.
With the rapid influx of concerns involving AI and ADM, particularly within government sectors, there are several considerations to take away from reports and responses made by the Australian Human Rights Commission, Sibenco Legal & Advisory, and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
