Freedom of information

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, members of the public have the right to request access to documents about our administrative processes.

Information statements

To assist you in exercising your right to access information held by VAGO, the following statements set out what VAGO does, our functions and procedures, what information we hold and how to access information.

  • Statement 1—Organisation and functions
  • Statement 2—Categories of documents
  • Statement 3—FOI arrangements
  • Statement 4—Publications
  • Statement 5—Rules, policies and procedures
  • Statement 6—Report literature

Statement 1—Organisation and functions

The Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Victorian Parliament and is assisted by VAGO. The Auditor-General conducts financial and performance audits of Victorian public sector agencies and authorities on behalf of the Parliament. These audits examine the efficient and effective management of resources within the public sector and provide assurance on the financial integrity of Victoria’s system of government.

The Auditor-General can access government information, make a report to Parliament on audit findings, and make recommendations to audited agencies in these reports. VAGO’s audits are conducted in accordance with Auditing and Assurance Standards Board standards, which carry the full force of law and must be complied with by auditors.

The Auditor-General’s annual plan outlines current and upcoming audit topics. Members of the public can raise concerns of a systemic nature (not individual grievances) to do with the Victorian public sector and local government with the Auditor-General. If the issues raised are relevant, they may inform the Auditor-General’s annual plan. Contact us to suggest an audit topic.

For more information about the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, its functions and organisational structure please refer to the following sections in this website:

Statement 2—Categories of documents

Document types

VAGO uses and creates a range of documents, including:

  • policies and procedures
  • briefings and reports
  • registers and directories
  • contracts
  • correspondence
  • meeting records
  • financial records
  • employee records
  • audit reports to Parliament
  • audit evidence

Document categories

VAGO’s documents are organised under the following broad categories:

  • Audit
  • Committees
  • Contract management
  • Corporate management
  • Facilities management
  • Financial management
  • Information management
  • Information services
  • Information technology
  • Legal and public policy
  • Occupational health and safety
  • People and culture
  • Relations
  • Reports and communications
  • Strategic management and planning

Statement 3—FOI arrangements

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, members of the public have the right to request access to documents about our administrative processes.

The Audit Act 1994 broadly prohibits VAGO from disclosing information gathered during an audit other than in reports to Parliament. As such, VAGO cannot provide access to audit-related information and documents we hold via a freedom of information request. 

To request access to information about our administrative processes, contact us via email or in writing to:

Freedom of Information officer
Victorian Auditor-General’s Office
Level 31, 35 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.

An application fee of $29.60 is generally required. Please enclose a cheque or money order payable to the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office with any application.

Further information about how to make a freedom of information request is at Freedom of Information Online.

VAGO reports on our compliance with freedom of information requirements in our annual report.

Statement 4—Publications

VAGO produces a wide range of publications, many of which are available on the reports section of this website:

Statement 5—Rules, policies and procedures

Information about the following internal rules, policies and procedures is available online:

Contact us to request documents of this nature that are not currently available online.

Statement 6—Report literature

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, VAGO must make a range of documents publicly available, including final reports and records of decisions relating to policy and the administration of policy.

The Auditor-General publishes audit reports that contain the recommendations arising from audits on our website. You can subscribe to receive an email notification when a report is tabled in Parliament and available on our website.

A search of the website, including VAGO’s annual reports, may also provide details of other types of documents.

Contact us to access documents not available on our website.