2. Managing and overseeing resources
The Office of the Public Advocate does not fully understand the time, costs and amount of work it needs to deliver its services. This limits its ability to strategically plan and allocate its resources.
The office can also improve how it manages and monitors its services to make sure it protects and promotes the rights and interests of its clients.
1. Making decisions for vulnerable adults
Strong and timely engagement is essential to ensure the Office of the Public Advocate makes good decisions that enact a person's will and preferences where practicable and promote their human rights.
But we found the office has not met its target timeframe to allocate cases. And there are gaps in its timeliness and engagement with its clients. These issues mean the office cannot be sure that it is always delivering its mandate and meeting the needs of vulnerable adults.
What we found
This section summarises our key findings. Sections 1 and 2 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.
Our recommendations
We made 13 recommendations to address 3 key issues. The relevant agencies have accepted our recommendations in full or in principle.
Responses to Performance Engagement Recommendations: Annual Status Update 2024
Major Projects Performance Reporting 2024
Fair Presentation of Service Delivery Performance: 2024
Appendix G: New performance measures by department, by attribute
Download a PDF copy of Appendix G: New performance measures by department, by attribute.