Home Affairs maintains an internal capability to manage public communications and media activities. The OECD identifies accurate and timely information as critical for policy implementation and compliance, and a prerequisite for transparent, accountable, and responsive public administration. Home Affairs’ public communications and media activities contribute to whole-of-government public communications outcomes. This audit provides assurance to the Parliament that Home Affairs effectively manages its public communications and media activities. The audit did not assess the department’s management of campaigns, Freedom of Information requests, nor the consistency of content communicated by the department.

The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of Home Affairs’ management of its public communications and media activities.

Key findings:

• Home Affairs’ management of its public communications and media activities is largely effective.
• Home Affairs has largely fit-for-purpose arrangements to manage its public communications and media activities. It has a strategic approach, guidance and processes in place to deliver these activities. Client feedback is not being processed within target timeframes. The department could clarify its community engagement definition and develop further key performance indicators and expectations in its contract management process.
• Home Affairs’ public communications and media outcomes are limited by the accessibility of its public communication channels. Home Affairs recognises these limitations and is addressing accessibility, including utilising service design when developing media and communication programs. Home Affairs has reviewed its public communications arrangements since December 2020, and reports on its activities to its senior executive.