We made 5 recommendations to address our findings. The relevant agency accepted the recommendations in full or in principle. 

What we examined

Our audit followed 2 lines of inquiry: 

1. Does the department monitor demand for and access to out-of-home care services to assess system capacity?

2. Does the department oversee out-of-home care services’ availability and sufficiency?

To answer these questions, we examined:

Download a PDF copy of Appendix D: Funded EIIF initiatives.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix C: Audit scope and method.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix B: Acronyms and glossary.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix A: Submissions and comments.

Outcomes reporting for the EIIF is improving. But there are gaps in reported results, targets and baselines. 

This means that DTF and departments do not yet have all the evidence they need to show outcomes for Victorians or changes in service demand for all EIIF initiatives. 

Covered in this section:

DTF uses a consistent approach to assess EIIF initiatives and advise the government. 

But gaps in DTF’s processes, guidance and advice mean that the government does not always have all the evidence it needs to understand the benefits and risks of proposed EIIF initiatives.

Covered in this section:

Departments report on their initiatives' performance, which DTF tracks. This provides the government with useful information on service user outcomes and emerging risks.  

But DTF and departments do not consistently measure changes in demand for the services where savings are expected, and they do not calculate actual savings. 

This means the government cannot know if the savings underpinning budget reductions are being achieved.

Covered in this section:

We made 7 recommendations to address our findings. The relevant agencies have accepted the recommendations in full or in principle.