This factsheet contains key insights into government spending on external consultants, in particular, departmental compliance with reporting requirements introduced in 2024. 

The 2024 report by the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee into the management and assurance of integrity by consulting services included a recommendation that the Finance Minister table biannual statements detailing expenditure on contracts worth $2 million or more. 

This factsheet assess compliance with this requirement. It finds sufficient transparency is still lacking in several departments, underscoring the need for stronger oversight and clearer reporting requirements to ensure public funds are used effectively.

Key findings

• Defence, the Australian Submarine Agency, and the National Emergency Management Agency failed to adequately explain contract purposes.
• The Department of Health & Aged Care was the highest-spending department on consulting services.
• Deloitte received the most significant total value of contracts.
• Nous Group dominated in management advisory services, with the highest percentage of contracts in this category.
• 14% of management advisory contracts provided no meaningful descriptions, with some agencies – such as Services Australia – giving no details beyond the generic label of 'management advisory services'.
• Some departments would benefit from additional guidance to allow them to better support the Minister for Finance in her efforts to comply with her reporting obligations.