Our history
The first Auditor-General was appointed in 1851, making us one of the oldest public sector institutions in Victoria.
The first Auditors-General examined the State of Victoria's finances and assessed whether the state’s financial reports provided a fair and accurate representation of its financial position at 30 June each year. Over time, VAGO was asked to broaden its work to look at how effectively the public sector was performing and using public resources.
Our auditing approach continues to evolve to reflect legislative reform and changes in auditing practice and standards. We now have ‘follow-the-dollar’ powers and can extend our performance audits to assess how well private contractors deliver public services using public resources.
Auditors-General since 1851
| Name | Term |
|---|---|
| Andrew Greaves | 2016–present |
| John Doyle | 2013–2015 |
| Des Pearson | 2006–2012 |
| Wayne Cameron | 1999–2006 |
| Chesleigh Antony Baragwanath | 1988–1999 |
| Richard Humphry | 1986–1988 |
| Brian Joseph Waldron | 1977–1986 |
| Bruce Hamilton | 1970–1977 |
| Arthur John Alliance Gardner | 1965–1970 |
| Redvers William Gillard | 1957–1965 |
| Edward A Peverill | 1938–1957 |
| John Alexander Norris | 1919–1937 |
| Frederick Horatio Bruford | 1903–1919 |
| James Hamilton Reid | 1902–1903 |
| James Bagge | 1902 |
| Charles Alfred Topp* | 1901–1902 |
| Alfred William Howitt* | 1895–1902 |
| Arthur Moorah* | 1890–1902 |
| J W Fosberry* | 1887–1901 |
| T R Wilson* | 1894–1895 |
| T W Jackson* | 1885–1894 |
| Charles Hunt Symonds* | 1857–1886 |
| Alfred Agg* | 1857–1886 |
| Francis Jones* | 1857–1885 |
| Edward Grimes | 1853–1857 |
| Hugh Culling Earley Childers | 1852–1853 |
| Charles Hotson Ebden | 1851–1852 |
*One of three Commissioners of Audit
Biographical information on all Auditors-General listed up to Wayne Cameron can be found in In the Public Interest: 150 years of the Victorian Auditor-General's Office by Peter Yule, which VAGO commissioned in 2001 to celebrate 150 years of public office.