The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today released its report on public sector information technology (IT) procurement and projects.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 18 February 2025

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today released its report on public sector information technology (IT) procurement and projects. The Committee examined various large IT contracts over the course of the inquiry, including a visa processing system that was expanded to include other permit, licencing and registration processes; a system for managing parliamentary expenses; a system to evaluate suitable employment service providers; and a tool to enable administrators, service provider staff, employers and apprentices to exchange information in the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Scheme. Committee Chair, the Hon Linda Burney MP, stated that ‘the Committee’s main findings were that capability, planning and management shortfalls in these external IT contracts invariably led to poor outcomes.’ The Committee has made three core recommendations: that the Department of Finance improves its guidance to other entities, including more effective information on developing IT procurement plans; that the Department of Finance and the Digital Transformation Agency continue to collaborate on providing guidance and policy documents for IT procurements and projects; and that both agencies provide progress updates to the Committee on improvements to IT procurement practices. Ms Burney further commented that ‘these sensible recommendations are underpinned by the absolute need to demonstrate value for money on behalf of the taxpayer, as required by the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and emphasised in multiple previous reports from this Committee.’ The report can be downloaded from the inquiry website. Media inquiries Hon Linda Burney MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit Electorate office: (02) 9587 1555 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.