5 April 2022
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry and authorised officers (AOs) of the commencement of a limited trial for AO audits.
Summary of changes and key points
- We are reimagining the audit process to make it more efficient and effective. Key to this work is a new audit platform that will
- give auditors access to legislation and past audit information during an audit (no internet required)
- automate many manual processes auditors complete for an audit
- auto-generate corrective action requests and audit reports using evidence collected during audit
- return audit outcomes to regulated entities faster
- deliver much-needed cost, time and regulatory efficiencies to regulated entities.
- From March 2022, our auditors began trialling a new audit platform for AO audits.
- This is an early-stage trial, meaning our auditors will test a quick and simple version of the platform in preparation, execution and closing phases of the audit.
- Feedback from auditors and auditees will help us develop the platform with relevant features and improvements.
- All auditors will have access to the improved audit platform for all audits starting from 30 June 2022.
Background
In the 2020–21 Federal Budget, the government announced the Busting Congestion for Agricultural Exporters Package. This introduced reforms for the Australian agricultural sector to improve the process of exporting goods from Australia. This includes increasing the use of digital services to help reduce burdens on exporters and lower the cost of compliance.
One area identified for improvement includes the need to modernise the end-to-end audit process to support changes in Australia’s export trade environment.
Busting Congestion is designed to support the agricultural industry’s goal of growing to a $100 billion industry by 2030. More information can be found on our website.
AO responsibilities
The AO auditee is not required to do anything differently. The audit platform will be used by the auditor to prepare for, collect evidence and refer to legislation at audit, and close out the audit.
Participation in this trial will contribute to improving the experience of exporting from Australia. Every person involved in agricultural exporting has a unique experience – whether it’s at the farmgate, in logistics or consignment. Participating in this trial will help us create a more efficient and effective audit experience for everyone.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Digital Trade Reform.
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch