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:

Auditing in Victoria
Performance auditing in Victoria
Managing complaints
Audit evidence.

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.