Appendix 5 ꟷ Public inquiries into the APS and APS agencies
This appendix refers to royal commissions, parliamentary inquiries and public inquiries established by the Australian Government that were announced, conducted or have reported in the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, and are of note for the Australian Public Service.
Royal commissions
A list of current and recent royal commissions can be found at: Current Royal Commissions.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established on 8 July 2021 to inquire into the systemic issues and risk factors relevant to suicide and suicide behaviours in Defence and veteran communities.
An interim report was published on 11 August 2022.
The final report was delivered to the Australian Government on 9 September 2024.
The Secretaries Board reported in their communique dated 19 March 2025 that they had received an update on the establishment, key priorities and work underway of the Royal Commission into the Defence and Veteran Suicide Implementation Taskforce.
More information can be found at: Secretaries Board communique: 19 March 2025. Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Parliamentary inquiries
A list of current parliamentary inquiries can be found at Current Inquiries.
Senate inquiries
Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation and enforcement
On 27 October 2022, the Senate referred an inquiry into the capacity and capability of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to undertake proportionate investigation and enforcement action arising from reports of alleged misconduct to the Senate Economics References Committee.
The report was delivered on 3 July 2024.
More information can be found at: Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation and enforcement.
Inquiry into the performance of the Department of Defence in supporting the capability and capacity of Australia’s defence industry
On 21 June 2023, the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee resolved to inquire into the performance of the Department of Defence in supporting the capability and capacity of Australia’s defence industry.
The report was delivered on 28 November 2024.
More information can be found at: Performance of the Department of Defence in supporting the capability and capacity of Australia’s defence industry.
Quality of governance at Australian higher education providers
On 29 January 2025, the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee agreed to inquire into the quality of governance at Australian higher education providers.
An interim report was published on 4 April 2025.
On 20 March 2025, the reporting date was extended to 1 August 2025.
More information can be found at: Quality of governance at Australian higher education providers.
National Cultural Policy
On 30 January 2023, the Australian Government released Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place. On 8 February 2023, the Senate referred the National Cultural Policy to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report.
A progress report was released on 20 June 2024.
On 25 March 2025, the committee was granted an extension of time for the final report until 5 August 2025.
More information can be found at: A new National Cultural Policy. National Cultural Policy.
Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025
On 12 February 2025, the Senate referred the Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025 to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 August 2025.
More information can be found at: Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025.
Issues relating to advocacy services for veterans accessing compensation and income support
On 13 February 2025, the Senate referred an inquiry into advocacy services relating to veteran compensation and income support to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 5 August 2025.
The inquiry will focus on issues relating to advocacy services (including representation and advice provided by ex-service organisations, commercial entities, not-for-profits and individuals) for veterans and their families seeking access to compensation and income support from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
More information can be found at: Issues relating to advocacy services for veterans accessing compensation and income support.
Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 (No. 2)
On 13 February 2025, the Senate referred the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 (No. 2) to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 29 August 2025.
The Bill would establish a new, independent statutory authority (Whistleblower Protection Authority) responsible for providing information, advice, assistance, guidance and support to whistleblowers and potential whistleblowers. The Authority would have jurisdiction over all federal whistleblower protection laws.
More information can be found at: Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 (No. 2).
Joint Committee inquiries
Ethics and Professional Accountability: Structural Challenges in the Audit, Assurance and Consultancy Industry
On 22 June 2023, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services resolved to start an inquiry into recent allegations of, and responses to, misconduct in the Australian operations of the major accounting, audit and consultancy firms (including but not exclusive to the ‘Big Four’).
The committee’s final report was presented to the Senate on 7 November 2024.
More information can be found at: Ethics and Professional Accountability: Structural Challenges in the Audit, Assurance and Consultancy Industry.
NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia
The Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme is conducting an inquiry into the NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia. The committee will report their findings as part of their role to inquire into the implementation, performance and governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Submissions for the inquiry closed on 23 February 2024. The inquiry’s public hearings finished on 1 November 2024.
More information can be found at: NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia.
Public inquiries
Public inquiries listed here are discrete and temporary bodies established by Executive Government. They draw membership from outside of Government and have public processes of review and reporting.
Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry
On 21 September 2023, the Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP announced an independent inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Inquiry was conducted by an Independent Panel of three eminent people appointed by the Prime Minister.
The Inquiry reviewed the Commonwealth Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying lessons learned and improvements to make to ensure Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.
The final report was delivered to the Government on 25 October 2024.
More information can be found at Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry .
Other reports
Under Australian Government reporting guidelines, the annual reports of all Government agencies must include particulars on any report on the agency made by:
- the Auditor-General, other than a report under section 43 of the Act (which deals with the Auditor-General’s audit of the annual financial statements for Commonwealth entities)
- a Committee of either or both Houses of the Parliament
- the Commonwealth Ombudsman
- the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
- any capability reviews of the entity released during the reporting period.
Annual reports are found on the Transparency Portal.