External scrutiny
Reports by Auditor General
In 2018–19, the Auditor-General produced the following reports involving the department:
- Auditor-General Report No. 11: Design and Implementation of the VET Student Loans Program
- Auditor-General Report No. 17: Implementation of the Annual Performance Statements Requirements 2017–18
- Auditor-General Report No. 19: Audits of the Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2018
- Auditor-General Report No. 46: Interim Report on Key Financial Controls of Major Entities
Details of these reports can be found on the Australian National Audit Office website at anao.gov.au.
Reviews by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA)
In 2018–19, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit undertook a number of reviews, from which the following report is relevant to the department:
The committee’s inquiry into Australian Government contract reporting—based on Auditor-General Report No. 19 (2017–18)—lapsed in April 2019.
Details of the report and the lapsed inquiry can be found on the Parliament of Australia website at aph.gov.au.
Reports by Parliamentary Committees
The department provided evidence and/or submissions to a number of parliamentary committee inquiries in 2018–19, as outlined in Table 3.7.
Committee |
Inquiry |
---|---|
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit |
Australian Government funding, based on Auditor-General Report No. 18 (2017–18)—Monitoring the Impact of Australian Government School Funding |
Joint Standing Committee on Migration |
Review processes associated with visa cancellations made on criminal grounds; efficacy of current regulation of Australian migration agents |
Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories |
Canberra’s national institutions—Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program |
Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth |
Austrade’s role in attracting investment into Australia |
Select Committee on Red Tape |
Effect of red tape on private education |
Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee |
Policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping |
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills |
Higher Education Support Amendments (VET FEE-HELP Student Protection) Bill 2018 |
Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment |
Higher Education Support (Charges) Bill 2018 and Higher Education Support Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2018 |
Senate Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
Sustainable Development Goals |
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs |
Effectiveness of the current temporary skilled visa system in targeting genuine skills shortages |
Senate Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
Proposed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership |
Standing Committee on Education and Employment |
Intergenerational welfare dependence |
Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training |
Funding Australia’s research (non–National Health and Medical Research Council) |
Status of the teaching profession |
Status of the teaching profession |
Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation |
Regional development and decentralisation |
Judicial decisions
There were no decisions of any court in 2018–19 that have had, or may have, a significant impact on the operations of the department.
Decisions of administrative tribunals
There were no decisions of administrative tribunals in 2018–19 that have had, or may have, a significant impact on the operations of the department.
Decisions by the Australian Information Commissioner
There were no decisions by the Australian Information Commissioner in 2018–19 that have had, or may have, a significant impact on the operations of the department.
Reports by the Commonwealth Ombudsman
There were no reports given by the Commonwealth Ombudsman in 2018–19 on the operations of the department.
Information Publication Scheme
Agencies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 are required to publish information as part of the Information Publication Scheme. This requirement is in Part II of the Act and has replaced the former requirement to publish a section 8 statement in an annual report. Each agency must display on its website a plan showing what information it publishes in accordance with the Information Publication Scheme requirements. The department’s plan is available on its website at education.gov.au.
Disability reporting
The National Disability Strategy 2010–2020 sets out a 10-year national policy framework to improve the lives of people with disability, promote participation and create a more inclusive society. A high-level biennial report will track progress against each of the six outcome areas of the strategy and present a picture of how people with disability are faring.
Further information is available on the Department of Social Services website at dss.gov.au.
Visit
https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/department-education/reporting-year/2018-2019-17