COVID-19 – Response to social impacts: mental health and digital inclusion

About this report or communique

Report of the Auditor-General No. 7 of 2021-22: COVID-19 – Response to social impacts: mental health and digital inclusion

The objective of this audit was to express a reasonable assurance opinion on how effectively the Government allocated and monitored the use of resources to address the high priority social impacts it had identified from the pandemic.

The audit examined the following focus areas, which had many overlaps:

Mental health – a focus on situational distress

This element covered prevention and early intervention support provided to people who suffered situational distress as a result of the pandemic.
The scope included mechanisms put in place to support the needs of the Tasmanian population generally. Additionally, the audit probed the specific support provided to young people (school and tertiary education leavers from the age of about 16 to 25 year olds) who were particularly impacted by the pandemic because of uncertainties surrounding their education, training, employment and future pathways in life more generally.

Digital Inclusion

This element covered the support provided by the Government to enable people to continue to access essential services through remote mechanisms. It also covered the support provided to people who found it difficult to access services digitally, either to help them improve their digital access or access services in other ways.

Period and agencies covered

The audit covered the period from March to December 2020 and involved the following agencies:

  • Department of Premier and Cabinet
  • Department of Communities Tasmania
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Education
  • Department of State Growth.