Conclusion

The operating cash result turned around this year, with a surplus of $4.3 billion ($8.9 billion deficit in 2021–22). However, this includes the $7.9 billion proceeds from the VicRoads modernisation joint-venture arrangement. The GGS would have reported an operating cash deficit of $3.6 billion without this inflow. It also loses some of the future cash inflows from the registration and licensing activities that it controlled before the joint-venture arrangement.

Conclusion

Our clear opinion provides reasonable assurance that the financial performance and position of the State of Victoria, and within that the general government sector, as reported in the 2022–23 Annual Financial Report of the State of Victoria (AFR), is reliable.

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

Download a PDF copy of Appendix D: Time sheet data and our methodology.

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.

The department does not effectively oversee hospitals’ performance to make sure they protect and support their employees’ mental health and wellbeing.

The department has introduced support programs. But it does not always evaluate them to see if they are working. 

Hospitals’ processes do not fully protect employees from psychosocial hazards in the workplace. And their boards do not have enough information to make sure they effectively support employees’ mental health and wellbeing.

Data we analysed shows that Victorian hospital workers’ mental health and wellbeing has deteriorated since 2019.

More hospital workers are lodging workers compensation claims for psychological injuries. And more staff are reporting feeling stressed. These increases coincide with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

Most staff are not working unsafe hours and schedules. But doctors and nurses have a higher risk of fatigue compared to other staff.