An Auditor-General report says there is no effective system to track how the $1.2 billion mental health levy is spent or to assess whether it achieves intended outcomes. Across the report, released as a 50-page review, the auditor-general finds that the levy is raising millions more than originally expected. However, the report says the responsible arrangements do not include a clear method for managing how the funds are allocated and used, nor do they provide a reliable way to evaluate performance against goals.
The sources report that the audit focuses on oversight and accountability, including whether there are processes to ensure money is directed appropriately and whether measurable results are being delivered. The auditor-general’s central concern is the lack of a system to check both spending and outcomes, leaving limits on how authorities and stakeholders can verify that the additional revenue is translating into the mental health improvements the levy is intended to support.
