5. 2027–29 parliamentary reports
Overview
Our planned 2027–28 and 2028–29 reports
This section describes the key focus areas that we plan to develop further into performance engagements for 2027–28 and 2028–29.
4. 2026–27 parliamentary reports
Overview
Our planned 2026–27 reports
In 2026–27, we plan to table in Parliament:
3. Our performance engagement work program
Performance engagements
What we do
Our performance engagements assess if government agencies are delivering their programs and services effectively, economically and efficiently, and complying with relevant laws.
Under the Audit Act 1994 we can do 2 types of performance engagements:
2. Our financial audit work program
Financial auditing
What we do
Our financial audit services help maintain accountability, transparency and effective financial administration within the Victorian public sector. Our audit opinions provide Parliament and the community with confidence that financial reports and performance statements are reliable for informed decision-making.
Appendix C: Audit scope and method
Download a PDF copy of Appendix C: Audit scope and method.
Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary
Download a PDF copy of Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary.
Appendix A: Submissions and comments
Download a PDF copy of Appendix A: Submissions and comments.
5. Using data to understand children’s needs
Longstanding data quality and system limitations continue to limit the department’s understanding of children’s needs in the out-of-home care system. Relying on an outdated data system limits the data’s accuracy, completeness and usability for placement decisions and planning.
The department’s ability to anticipate demand and plan effective service responses is also limited by the forecasting models it uses.
Covered in this section:
4. Meeting children’s needs in out-of-home care
Meeting the needs of all children in out-of-home care remains challenging, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and those with complex needs.
Victoria has the highest rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care across Australia and the number is still rising. There has not been much progress towards Closing the Gap targets.
3. Trends in out-of-home care placements
The department prioritises kinship care, with the majority of placements in line with legislative and policy goals that support family connections and cultural continuity.
But Victoria’s out-of-home care system faces ongoing strain. Foster carer numbers are falling. Kinship carer availability is naturally limited because it depends on family members and children's kinship network availability and willingness to provide care.