Prequalification Scheme: AUDIT AND risk committee
Audit and Risk Committee Independent Chairs and Members Pre-qualification Scheme
The Department of Premier and Cabinet, in conjunction with the NSW Treasury and the Department of Services, Technology and Administration has established the Prequalification Scheme: Audit and Risk Committees (the Scheme)
The Scheme establishes a list of pre-qualified independent chairs and members who can be appointed by Chief Executives to serve on Audit and Risk Committees of NSW Government agencies and statutory corporations.
Members
Individual pre-qualified as a Member possess a range of skills and experience including:
- Extensive senior level experience in governance and management of complex organisations and a capacity to understand the ethical requirements of government.
- Functional knowledge in a range of business areas.
- A capacity to form independent judgements and willingness to constructively challenge.
Chairs
Individuals pre-qualified as a Chair, in addition, possess leadership and communication abilities along with a knowledge of governance, internal audit and risk management.
Information for Applicants
The Scheme is open to new applicants. Full selection criteria are included with the Scheme Conditions along with the Application Form. An interview with an assessment panel may be required.
Information for Agencies and Members
Guidelines on the operation of the pre-qualification scheme are available on the Audit and Risk Committee Independent Chairs and Members Prequalification Scheme 2009-2012 Scheme Conditions, from the downloaded document above.
The following requirements are included:
- From 30 April 2009, all new appointments of independent Chairs and Members to Audit and Risk Committees of NSW Government agencies must be made from the pre-qualified panel.
- Current NSW public servants employed under the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 can no longer serve as an independent Member or Chair of an audit and risk committee for another NSW Government agency. This is to ensure that independence, real and perceived, is maintained.
- Chairs and Members will need to meet the independence and conflict of interest criteria set out in the forthcoming NSW Tresury Internal Audit and Risk Management Policy.
- Pre-qualified independent Chairs or Members may be appointed to up to five NSW Audit and Risk Committees at any one time (each shared 'cluster' Committee counts as one).
It is the responsibility of both pre-qualified panel members and CEOs to ensure that this limit is not exceeded and that NSW Department of Services, Technology and Administration is advised of all engagements. Department of Services, Technology and Administration will record this information in the Audit and Risk Committee panel database. A schedule is attached to the standard letter of appointment to ensure the database is kept up to date.
The requirement for the independent Chairs and Members is a recommendation of the Review of Internal Audit Capacity in the NSW public Sector by the
Performance Review Unit, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
Using the Scheme
Agencies and Members are to comply with the Scheme Conditions.
To obtain a list of pre-qualified Members / Chairs from the Department of Services, Technology and Administration, NSW Government agencies and statutory corporations must submit a written request on the Request Form provided.
The Request Form must be submitted by email to
AuditRiskMembers@services.nsw.gov.au or by fax to 02 9372 8077.
A list of pre-qualified Members / Chairs will be returned by email to the requesting agency. The Department of Services, Technology and Administration will only send a list to 'nsw.gov.au' email address. Agencies may then make their own selection from the list of Members / Chairs.
Enquiries
For matters relating to the operation of the prequalification scheme:
NSW Procurement Client Support Centre:
For matters relating to the services to be performed:
DPC - Performance Review Unit
For matters related to government policy on internal audit and risk management:
NSW Treasury