This section summarises our key findings. The numbered sections detail our complete findings, including supporting evidence.

When reaching our conclusions, we consulted with the audited agencies and considered their views. The agencies’ full responses are in Appendix A. 

We made 5 recommendations to departments to address 2 issues. The relevant agencies have accepted our recommendations in full or in principle.

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.

Public sector agencies did not always work together to provide comprehensive and timely advice to the government to inform its decision to host the Games.

While agencies did highlight risks, DJSIR overstated the benefits of hosting and did not provide reliable cost estimates. This meant that from the start, the government had unrealistic expectations of the cost and effort it would take to deliver the Games within 4 years.

In March 2022 the government approved a gross cost budget of $2.7 billion for the Games with an estimated net cost of $1.6 billion.

When the government announced that Victoria would withdraw from hosting the Games in July 2023, it stated that the cost of hosting was certain to exceed $6 billion.

But both of these cost estimates were unreliable – the first estimate was understated and the final one was overstated.