ACT Audit Office

We provide an independent view on the accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of the ACT Public Sector

Concession, rebate and social support schemes

Report Snapshot banner

Report Date: 05 Jun 2026

Activity: Cross-agency collaboration | Service delivery
Sector:  Community services | Public sector administration
REPORT SNAPSHOT

Why did we do this audit?

Left Arrow Icon

Many people living in the ACT cannot afford essential needs such as housing, utilities, transport, healthcare and education.

Concessions, rebates and social support payments are ACT Government initiatives that help people afford their essential needs.

The audit considered whether ACT concession, rebate and social support schemes are accessible to the people who need them.

What did we find?

Scale Icon

  • ACT concession, rebate and social support schemes are not consistently promoted and communicated to eligible people.
  • Similar schemes may have different eligibility criteria and different application processes.
  • It is not clear whether the schemes are achieving their intended outcomes and meeting peoples’ needs.

What are the key issues?

Key Icon

  • There is no centralised oversight or management of ACT concession, rebate and social support schemes.
  • Lack of centralised, standardised guidance and processes can result in inconsistent promotion, communication, and application processes and administration.

What did we recommend?

Document Icon

  • We recommended that the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate take actions to support harmonisation of design and delivery for ACT concession, rebate and social support schemes.
  • We also recommended that the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate review and evaluate the schemes to determine if they are efficiently administered and are meeting peoples’ needs.

Lessons learnt from this audit

The following observations were made during the conduct of this audit and may be relevant to the operations of other ACT Government directorates and agencies.

Consistent, standardised processes

Similar schemes, programs or services that are intended to be accessed by the same cohort of service users may benefit from consistent and standardised communication and application processes. This would increase accessibility for service users and reduce administrative burden for responsible agencies.

Centralised oversight and management

Centralised oversight and management of similar schemes, programs or services that are delivered by different agencies can support harmonisation of administrative processes and improve accessibility for service users.

More information

Download Report

Download 'Report Snapshot'

Download Media Release

Subscribe to our mailing list

Performance Audit Program

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.