What we examined

For this review we had a single line of inquiry: 

1. Do agencies meet the requirements of the Data Quality Information Management Framework standard (Data Quality Standard)?

To answer this question, we examined:

Download a PDF copy of Appendix D: Circular economy programs.

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

Download a PDF copy of Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary.

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

Not all data the department uses to track different waste streams is reliable. This may compromise the accuracy of the way it tracks its progress towards its recycling targets, and projects Victoria's future recycling needs. The department does not account for this uncertainty, or communicate it, in the projections it publishes.

Covered in this section:

The department and other circular economy portfolio agencies have delivered key commitments and actions under the circular economy policy that have increased Victoria’s recycling capacity. 

However, extensions to targeted completion dates of some key programs have slowed progress towards the government’s recycling targets.

Covered in this section:

Victoria is on track to ensure every household has access to a food organics and garden organics waste recycling service by 2030.

However, it is unclear if less organic waste is entering landfill and it is unlikely that 80 per cent of total waste will be diverted from landfill by 2030.

Covered in this section:

We made 3 recommendations to address our findings. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Sustainability Victoria have accepted the recommendations. 

What we examined

Our audit followed one line of inquiry: 

1. Are relevant agencies implementing the ‘recycle’ policy goal as intended?

To answer these questions, we examined the entities responsible for delivering the 'recycle’ programs from Recycling Victoria: A new economy (the circular economy policy) between 2020 and 2024: