The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will inquire into and report into the processes to develop and implement IT systems in the Australian Government including large-scale IT procurement having regard to issues of capability, culture, probity, policy, systems, and decision making and specifically:

1. Lessons from the failed attempt to privatise the visa processing system covering both stages:
   1. The abandoned first stage commenced by the Department of Home Affairs in 2017 for a new IT workflow system including the conduct of entities or persons involved—or interested—in that procurement process and any related matters; and
   2. The abandoned second stage including matters contained in or connected to Auditor-General Report No. 34 of 2022–23 ‑ Procurement of the Permissions Capability;
2. Matters contained in or connected to recently tabled reports:
   1. Auditor-General Report No. 12 of 2023-24 Administration of the Parliamentary Expense Management System;
   2. Auditor-General Report No 7, 2023-24 Establishment of the Workforce Australia Services Panel, specifically on the implementation of a digital services platform for employment services; and
   3. the anticipated forthcoming Auditor-General’s Report (once tabled) relating to the Design and Implementation of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Scheme.
3. Lessons arising (likely considered via desktop review) from earlier Auditor-General’s reports relating to IT procurement including:
   1. Report No. 1 of 2021–22 Defence’s Administration of Enabling Services – Enterprise Resource Planning Program: Tranche 1
   2. Report No. 10 of 2020–21 Systems Redevelopment – Managing risks While Planning Transition
   3. Report No. 13 of 2019–20 Implementation of the My Health Record System
   4. Report No. 4 of 2019–20 OneSKY: Contractual Arrangements
   5. Report No. 24 of 2018–19 The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s Administration of the Biometric Identification Services Project
4. The Assurance Framework for Digital and ICT Investments and the Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework managed by the Digital Transformation Agency;
5. The Gateway Review process administered by the Department of Finance for further assessing certain proposals that meet a high expenditure threshold;
6. The role of the Australian Public Service Digital Profession in building the digital capability of public sector entities into the future;
7. Lessons learned (sought via submissions) from key agencies managing large IT systems including Services Australia, the Australian Tax Office, the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; and
8. any related matters. 

In undertaking this inquiry, the Committee will consider expenditure and value for money, the impacts of anticipated savings from these procurements, the ethical use of resources and ethical behaviour, any risks arising to the Commonwealth from undertaking these procurements including cybersecurity threats, and any lessons arising.