Homelessness has a significant impact on both individuals and the community. Homeless people have poorer health, fewer social connections and fewer opportunities for education or employment. This is turn generates considerable cost to government, through its provision of direct support services, demand on health services and lost economic participation.

The 2011 census data indicates that the rate of homelessness in Victoria has increased by 21 per cent since 2006. In 2011, 22 789 Victorian people were homeless on census night, and 16 per cent of these were children under 12.

Ordered to be printed

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER February 2012

PP No 210, Session 2010–13

In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report, or relevant extracts from the report, was provided to the Department of Health and named hospitals with a request for submissions or comments.

The submission and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Accountability

Responsibility of public sector entities to achieve their objectives, with regard to reliability of financial reporting, effectiveness and efficiency of operations, compliance with applicable laws, and reporting to interested parties.

Acquisition

Establishing control of an asset, undertaking the risks, and receiving the rights to future benefits, as would be conferred with ownership, in exchange for the cost of acquisition.

Indicators of financial sustainability

This Appendix sets out the financial indicators used in this report. The indicators should be considered collectively and are more useful when assessed over time, as part of a trend analysis. The indicators have been applied to the published financial information of the 87 public hospitals for the five year period 2007–08 to 2011–12.

Metropolitan hospitals and associated entities

(a) At the date of this report, the financial audit of this entity was not complete and was not included as part of the statutory time frame metric.

This report is second of six reports to be presented to Parliament covering the results of our audits of public sector financial reports. The reports are outlined in Figure A1.

Figure A1

VAGO reports on the results of the 2011–12 financial audits