The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has released a report on its audit of the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) administration of agreements with Disability Employment Services (DES). The audit assessed whether DSS’s management of DES provider agreements had enhanced the effectiveness of the 2018 DES contract.

DSS agreed with the five Audit recommendations (below) and has commenced implementing them.

In regard to the Audit findings, NDS remains concerned they may lead to additional compliance and reporting obligations on DES providers – on top of the more onerous reporting obligations from 1 July related to Ongoing Support to DES participants.