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External scrutiny

Reports by Auditor General

In 2018–19, the Auditor-General produced the following reports involving the department:

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.

Table 3.7: Evidence and submissions to parliamentary committee inquiries, 2018–19

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