Risk management

Risk and audit at a glance

The Risk Management and Audit Committee (RMAC) provides independent assurance and assistance to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team on DHS’s risk, control and compliance framework, and its financial statement responsibilities. The committee, which is chaired by an external member, assists the Chief Executive in the identification of risks, determining priorities for action, developing and implementing strategies for effective risk management and in ensuring accountabilities are met. RMAC also oversees the focus and the work undertaken by Internal Audit and Risk.

RMAC members are appointed by the Chief Executive with the current committee comprising three members external to DHS and two internal members. The committee met four times during 2024-25.

The Incident Management Unit (IMU) is the primary investigative body within DHS. It is responsible for triaging and determining an appropriate response pathway for incidents including allegations of inappropriate care of DHS clients, staff misconduct and critical client incidents. The IMU provides a central point for information sharing with the South Australia Police and is responsible for investigating matters referred to the department by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Internal Audit and Risk provides independent and objective assurance to the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and RMAC on the adequacy of the department’s systems of internal control and the effectiveness with which they are implemented, operating and assisting in the treatment of risk. The identification, recording, monitoring, and reporting of risks within DHS is undertaken by a dedicated Risk Management Officer who is part of Internal Audit and Risk.

Internal Audit and Risk considers the risk of fraud and maladministration in its audit program and attends RMAC meetings to provide relevant internal audit reports. It also supports and collaborates with IMU in the performance of investigations into allegations of fraud, maladministration and other complaints.

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Fraud detected in the agency

NB: Fraud reported includes actual and reasonably suspected incidents of fraud.

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Strategies implemented to control and prevent fraud

DHS has a zero tolerance to fraud and maladministration. It is the department’s policy that all incidents of discrepancies in client funds, property and/or client records are recorded on Gov SAfety, the internal departmental recording system.

The DHS Fraud and Corruption Control Framework addresses the processes for responding to and reporting incidents of fraud and corruption within the department. It aligns with the South Australian Public Sector Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and summarises responsibilities of key areas.

The DHS Risk Management Framework defines the department’s attitude and approach to risk management, and outlines roles and responsibilities. The framework is consistent with international standard ISO 31000:2018 Risk Guidelines and aligns with the State Government’s risk management requirements, including Treasurer’s Instruction 2 (TI2) Financial Management and the South Australian Government Financing Authority Risk Management Guide.

Data for previous years is available at: Data.SA - Annual Reporting - DHS Annual Report Data

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Public interest disclosure

Data for previous years is available at: Data.SA - Annual Reporting - DHS Annual Report Data

Note: Disclosure of public interest information was previously reported under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993 and repealed by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 on 1/7/2019.

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