Information on audits

Ad hoc audits involve examining a single matter or file. They form a significant part of our Oversight and Compliance Program, and are perhaps our most direct way of improving how misconduct is managed in the public sector.

We have broad powers to monitor or audit any matters related to how public sector organisations ‘deal with’ and investigate complaints about misconduct. This includes monitoring and auditing the standards, codes of conduct and/or guidelines that relate to those matters.

Although there are many considerations, the key factors in deciding whether to undertake an audit are:

• we are not satisfied that the matter has been managed adequately, and/or
• the matter involves a high misconduct risk area, serious misconduct, systemic misconduct and/or a designated (senior) public officer.

Audits can be highly effective, especially when we directly engage with organisations. They help with collecting input from organisations and implementing real change.

From 1 July 2024, we will be increasing our focus on audits and plan to design a ‘spot’ audit program where we audit a minimum number of matters from public sector organisations on a rotational basis. We will also conduct sample audits of the Parliamentary Register of Members’ Interests every second year.

The following drop-down menus provide more information about our auditing of the Parliamentary Register of Members’ Interest and Tasmania Police.