About this report or communique
Auditor-General’s Annual Plan 2025-26
I am pleased to present my Annual Plan for 2025-26, pursuant to section 11 of the Audit Act 2008 (Audit Act). It is the statement of intent for what I plan to achieve in the coming year.
To arrive at this Plan, I undertook a robust engagement process across the Parliament, public sector and other stakeholders to ensure we will be auditing the topics that matter to Tasmanians. This year I introduced 4 pillars to classify my audit coverage to ensure a link to the priorities of the people of Tasmania is present in every piece of work undertaken.
However, my Office’s work does not come without its challenges. The performance audit program was developed based on the assumption of a maintenance of historical levels of resourcing. Due to reductions, comprising budget efficiency dividends, which are forecast to increase further in 2026-27, as well as the cessation of data analytics capability funding, 1 proposed audit has been removed from the 2025-26 program and 2 from 2026-27. These remain in my plan but are greyed out to demonstrate transparently the impact of a reduced level of funding.
Historical levels of funding for performance audit were already lower than in similar jurisdictions. The coverage my Office is able to provide does not align with the needs of a State the size and complexity of Tasmania. I am also required to build sustainability assurance capabilities to meet the new climate reporting requirements starting this year. Per the Office’s Strategic Plan 2025-2028, I will continue to invest in the methodology, tools and capability to deliver a high quality and timely audit program.
At the direction of the Treasurer, my Office is contributing to a review of the Audit Act. A goal is to align our legislation with contemporary best practice according to the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions Independence Principles, as well as benchmarking work undertaken by the Australasian Council of Auditors-General. I look forward to the legislative process resulting in an enhanced statutory model for independent assurance, integrity and transparency in Tasmania.
In closing, I would like to thank the dedicated staff of Audit Tasmania who will be assisting me to deliver my Annual Plan for 2025-26.
Martin Thompson
Auditor-General
5 June 2025