AUDIT ACT 1995

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA AUDIT ACT 1995 As in force at 1 June 2026 Table of provisions Part 1 Preliminary matters 1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1 2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1 3 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1 Part 2 Auditor-General 4 Appointment of Auditor-General ...................................................... 3 4A Eligibility for appointment ................................................................. 3 4B Term of appointment ....................................................................... 4 4C Conditions of appointment ............................................................... 4 5 Salary of Auditor-General ................................................................ 5 6 Leave of absence of Auditor-General .............................................. 5 7 Vacancy in office ............................................................................. 5 7A Resignation...................................................................................... 6 7B Suspension and termination of appointment.................................... 6 8 Saving of rights under Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993 .................................................................... 7 10 Acting Auditor-General .................................................................... 7 11 Oath before taking office ................................................................. 8 12 Protection from liability .................................................................... 8 12A Independence .................................................................................. 8 Part 3 Audits 13 Duties of Auditor-General ................................................................ 9 14 Special audits .................................................................................. 9 15 Audit of performance management systems ................................. 10 16 Auditor-General's reports............................................................... 11 17 Authorised auditors ........................................................................ 12 18 Duties of authorised auditor ........................................................... 12 19 Access to accounts to be afforded for audit purposes ................... 12 20 Production of books, accounts etc. ................................................ 12 21 Information and explanations to be afforded.................................. 13 22 ADI officers to give access to accounts ......................................... 13 23 Secrecy.......................................................................................... 13 Part 4 Auditor-General's reports 24 Reports to Legislative Assembly and supplementary reports ........ 14 25 Audit of Treasurer's Annual Financial Statement ........................... 15 -- 1 of 24 -- Audit Act 1995 ii Part 5 Strategic review and audit of accounts of Auditor-General's Office and other Agencies 26 Strategic review of Auditor-General's Office .................................. 15 27 Audit of accounts of Auditor-General's Office, Office of the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner, other Agency, Territory controlled entity or other organisation............................................ 16 28 Extension of function to audit accounts of organisation ................. 17 Part 6 General matters 29 Offences ........................................................................................ 17 29A Regulations.................................................................................... 17 Part 7 Transitional matters for Audit Amendment Act 2011 30 Auditor-General may be reappointed for further period ................. 17 Part 8 Transitional matters for Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2019 31 Effect on Auditor-General in office ................................................. 18 Part 9 Transitional matters for Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Act 2025 32 Application of amendments to sections 4C and 7B on Auditor- General in office ............................................................................ 18 ENDNOTES -- 2 of 24 -- NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA ____________________ As in force at 1 June 2026 ____________________ AUDIT ACT 1995 An Act to provide for the appointment, and powers and functions, of the Auditor-General and the audit of the accounts of the Territory, Agencies and Territory controlled entities, and for related purposes Part 1 Preliminary matters 1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Audit Act 1995. 2 Commencement This Act shall come into operation on the commencement of the Financial Management Act 1995. 3 Interpretation (1) In this Act: Acting Auditor-General means a person appointed under section 10. audit includes the inspection, investigation, examination or review of accounts and systems. Auditor-General means the person appointed under section 4 as the Auditor-General. Auditor-General's Office means the Agency of that name specified in Schedule 1 to the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993. Australian parliament means: (a) the Legislative Assembly; or (b) the Parliament of the Commonwealth or a State; or (c) the parliament or legislature of another Territory. -- 3 of 24 -- Part 1 Preliminary matters Audit Act 1995 2 authorised auditor means a person authorised or appointed under section 17 by the Auditor-General to perform an audit. by notice means by written notice. company means a company within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001. eligible person, see section 4A(1). executive officer, in relation to a Territory controlled entity that is a company, means a director or other person who is concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the company. organisation includes a body but does not include a Territory controlled entity. prescribed officer: (a) of an Agency – means the Accountable Officer of the Agency; or (b) of a Territory controlled entity that is a company – means an executive officer of the company; or (c) of a Territory controlled entity other than a company – means a person who is concerned with, or takes part, in the management of the entity. prescribed requirements means requirements prescribed by or under this Act or the Financial Management Act 1995. Treasurer's Annual Financial Statement means the statement prepared annually by the Treasurer in accordance with section 9 of the Financial Management Act 1995. Territory controlled entity means either of the following entities if the entity's receipts and expenditures are not kept as part of the Public Account: (a) a company that is an entity controlled, within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001, by an Agency or otherwise by the Territory; (b) an entity (other than a company or an entity established under an Act) controlled, within the meaning of the Australian Accounting Standards, by an Agency or otherwise by the Territory. -- 4 of 24 -- Part 2 Auditor-General Audit Act 1995 3 (2) Where a word or expression used in this Act is not defined in this Act but is defined in and for the purposes of the Financial Management Act 1995, then, unless the contrary intention appears, that word or expression has the same meaning in this Act as it has in the Financial Management Act 1995. Note for subsection (2) Words and expressions used in this Act and defined in the Financial Management Act 1995 include ”Accountable Officer", "accounts" and "Public Account". To understand this Act, the Financial Management Act 1995 needs to be considered. For example, "Agency" and "Government Business Division" are defined in the Financial Management Act 1995. Even though this Act does not use the expression Government Business Division, a reference in this Act to an Agency may include part of an Agency including a Government Business Division. Such a context might be under section 13(3)(a). Part 2 Auditor-General 4 Appointment of Auditor-General (1) There is to be an Auditor-General. (2) The Administrator may appoint an eligible person to be the Auditor- General. (3) The appointment may be made only after receiving a recommendation of the Legislative Assembly. (4) The Minister must table a copy of the appointment in the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days after the appointment is made. 4A Eligibility for appointment (1) A person is an eligible person for appointment as the Auditor- General if: (a) the person has suitable qualifications or experience relating to the Auditor-General's functions; and (b) the person is committed to the purposes of this Act and its underlying principles; and (c) the person is not any of the following: (i) a judicial officer; (ii) a member of an Australian parliament; (iii) a member of a local government council or of an equivalent body in a State or another Territory; -- 5 of 24 -- Part 2 Auditor-General Audit Act 1995 4 (iv) a member of a political party; (v) a prescribed officer of a Territory controlled entity; and (d) the person does not have a recent political affiliation. (2) For subsection (1)(d), a person has a recent political affiliation if, at any time during the previous 5 years, the person: (a) was a member of the Legislative Assembly or a local government council; or (b) was an office holder or elected representative of a political party in the Territory or elsewhere in Australia; or (c) was a member of staff of a minister; or (d) made a reportable donation to a political party, or an associated entity of a political party, in the Territory or elsewhere in Australia. (3) For subsection (2)(d), a person made a reportable donation if it was made by the person or by a body corporate of which the person was an office holder or majority shareholder at the time the donation was made. (4) In this section: reportable donation means a gift or loan that is required to be disclosed or reported under Part 10 of the Electoral Act 2004 or under a similar law in force in the Commonwealth or in a State or another Territory. 4B Term of appointment (1) The appointment of a person as the Auditor-General is for a period of 5 years. (2) A person who is the Auditor-General may be reappointed, if still eligible, for one further period of 5 years. 4C Conditions of appointment (1) The Auditor-General holds office on the conditions, including conditions about remuneration, expenses and allowances, determined by the Administrator. -- 6 of 24 -- Part 2 Auditor-General Audit Act 1995 5 (2) The Auditor-General's conditions of office: (a) cannot provide any conditions (for example as to remuneration) that are contingent on the Auditor-General's performance in office; and (b) cannot be varied to the detriment of the Auditor-General during the Auditor-General's term in office. (3) Subsection (2) does not prevent the Inspector under the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Act 2025 from conducting an evaluation or dealing with a complaint in relation to the Auditor-General under that Act. 5 Salary of Auditor-General The salary and any annual allowance, and such other allowances, as the Administrator determines under section 4C must be paid by the Territory at such rate as the Administrator so determines, and the appropriation for that purpose is hereby established or increased to the extent necessary. 6 Leave of absence of Auditor-General Subject to section 4C, the Minister may grant leave of absence to the Auditor-General. 7 Vacancy in office (1) The office of Auditor-General becomes vacant if: (a) the Auditor-General resigns under section 7A; or (b) the Auditor-General's appointment is terminated under section 7B; or (c) the Auditor-General is found guilty of an offence, whether in the Territory or elsewhere, for which the maximum penalty is imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months, with or without a fine; or (d) the Auditor-General is sentenced to imprisonment for an offence, whether in the Territory or elsewhere and whether or not the sentence is suspended; or (e) the Auditor-General becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of a law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with creditors or makes an assignment of remuneration for their benefit; or -- 7 of 24 -- Part 2 Auditor-General Audit Act 1995 6 (f) the Auditor-General becomes a candidate for election as a member of an Australian parliament or a local government council; or (g) the Auditor-General is no longer an eligible person for appointment. (2) A decision, an act or an omission of the Auditor-General is not invalid only because of a defect in the appointment of the Auditor-General, including not being an eligible person for appointment. 7A Resignation The Auditor-General may resign office by written notice given to the Administrator. 7B Suspension and termination of appointment (1) The Administrator may suspend the Auditor-General from duty: (a) if the Auditor-General becomes physically or mentally incapable of satisfactorily performing official duties; or (b) if the Auditor-General engages in corrupt conduct as defined in section 10 of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2017; or (c) if the Auditor-General engages in paid employment outside the duties of office without the Minister's approval; or (d) if the Auditor-General is absent from duty, without the approval of the Minister and without reasonable excuse, for 28 consecutive days or for 42 days in any period of 12 months; or (e) on the ground of proved misbehaviour; or (f) on the ground of incompetence. (2) The Minister must immediately give the Auditor-General a statement of reasons for the suspension. (3) The Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly the statement and any written response by the Auditor-General within 6 sitting days after the suspension. (4) If, within 6 sitting days after the statement is tabled, a resolution of the Legislative Assembly is passed by a two-thirds majority of all of the Assembly requiring the Administrator to terminate the Auditor- -- 8 of 24 -- Part 2 Auditor-General Audit Act 1995 7 General's appointment, the Administrator must terminate the Auditor-General's appointment. (5) The suspension of the Auditor-General is lifted if: (a) the Minister does not table the statement under subsection (3); or (b) the Legislative Assembly does not pass a resolution in accordance with subsection (4). (6) The Auditor-General is entitled to be paid remuneration and allowances during the period of suspension. 8 Saving of rights under Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993 Where a person employed in the Public Sector, within the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993, is appointed to be the Auditor-General, he or she, while holding that office, retains all rights and privileges accrued or accruing to him or her under the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993 as if the service as the Auditor-General were a continuation of service as an employee in the Public Sector, and those rights and privileges continue to accrue during his or her tenure of office as the Auditor-General as if he or she had remained an employee in the Public Sector. 10 Acting Auditor-General (1) The Administrator may appoint an eligible person for appointment as the Auditor-General to act as the Auditor-General: (a) during a vacancy in the office; or (b) during a period, or all periods, when the Auditor-General, or another Acting Auditor-General, is unable, or unavailable, to perform official duties. (2) An appointment to act as the Auditor-General during a vacancy in the office may only be for a period or periods not exceeding in aggregate 6 months in any 12 month period. (3) If the office of Auditor-General is vacant for a period of 18 months, no further appointment to act as the Auditor-General during the vacancy can be made. (4) An Acting Auditor-General holds office on the conditions, including conditions about remuneration, expenses and allowances, determined by the Administrator. -- 9 of 24 -- Part 2 Auditor-General Audit Act 1995 8 11 Oath before taking office (1) Before performing any functions as Auditor-General, the Auditor-General must take an oath that the Auditor-General will faithfully, impartially and truly perform the functions of the Auditor-General according to law. (2) Before performing any functions as Acting Auditor-General, an Acting Auditor-General must take an oath that the Acting Auditor-General will faithfully, impartially and truly perform the functions for which the Acting Auditor-General is appointed, according to law. (3) The oath must be administered: (a) for the Auditor-General – by the Administrator; or (b) for an Acting Auditor-General – by the Administrator or the Minister. 12 Protection from liability No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, lies against the Auditor- General for or in respect of an act or thing done or omitted to be done in good faith by the Auditor-General in his or her capacity as Auditor-General. 12A Independence (1) In performing or exercising the Auditor-General's functions or powers, the Auditor-General: (a) is not subject to the direction of any person; and (b) must act independently, impartially and in the public interest. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Auditor-General is not subject to direction in relation to any of the following: (a) the type of audit to be performed; (b) how an audit is to be performed; (c) whether a report on an audit is to be made; (d) what is to be included, or not included, in a report; (e) the priority of matters to be considered. -- 10 of 24 -- Part 3 Audits Audit Act 1995 9 (3) This section is subject to: (a) a direction to carry out an audit under section 14 or 15(1A); or (b) a request to carry out an audit, or an arrangement for carrying out an audit, under section 28. Part 3 Audits 13 Duties of Auditor-General (1) Subject to this Act, the Auditor-General must audit the Public Account and other accounts (including the accounts of a Territory controlled entity) in such manner as he or she thinks fit having regard to the character and effectiveness of the internal control and recognised professional standards and practices. (2) An audit under subsection (1) must be at times the Auditor-General thinks fit, but not less than once in each year unless the Auditor- General dispenses with an audit under subsection (3). (3) The Auditor-General: (a) may dispense with the audit of the accounts of an Agency or Territory controlled entity for a particular year; and (b) if there is a dispensation – must report that fact, and give a statement of the reason for the dispensation, in a report under section 24. (5) This Act does not prevent the conferral of other functions and powers on the Auditor-General by another Act. 14 Special audits (1) The Minister may, either generally or in relation to a specific aspect, by notice, direct the Auditor-General to carry out an audit which the Auditor-General has power under this Act to carry out, in relation to an Agency specified in the notice, within the time specified in the notice or within such further time as is reasonably necessary to enable the audit to be completed, and the Auditor-General must carry out the audit accordingly. (2) As soon as practicable after carrying out an audit as required under subsection (1), the Auditor-General must furnish to the Minister a report on the audit. -- 11 of 24 -- Part 3 Audits Audit Act 1995 10 (3) The Minister must, within 6 sitting days of the Legislative Assembly after receiving a report furnished to him or her under subsection (2), table a copy of the report in the Legislative Assembly. 15 Audit of performance management systems (1) The Auditor-General may conduct an audit of performance management systems of any Agency or other organisation in respect of the accounts of which the Auditor-General is required or permitted by a law of the Territory to conduct an audit. (1A) Despite subsection (1), the Auditor-General must conduct an audit of the performance management systems of an organisation to the extent necessary to investigate the use of public moneys paid by an Agency to the organisation if the Minister: (a) believes the payment is made for delivering projects, or undertaking significant service provision activities, that could be delivered or undertaken by the Agency; and (b) directs the Auditor-General to audit the performance management systems of the organisation to investigate the use of the public moneys. (2) An audit under this section may be conducted as a separate audit or as part of another audit (including an audit of another Agency or organisation under this section). (3) The object of an audit conducted under this section includes determining whether the performance management systems of the Agency or organisation in respect of which the audit is being conducted enable the Agency or organisation to assess whether its objectives are being achieved economically, efficiently and effectively. (4) In conducting an audit under this section, the Auditor-General must have regard to the prescribed requirements, if any, relating to the establishment and maintenance of performance management systems that apply to the Agency or organisation. (5) In conducting an audit under this section, the Auditor-General may not question the merits of policy objectives of the Government including: (a) a policy objective of the Government contained in a record of a policy decision of Cabinet; and (b) a policy direction of a Minister; and -- 12 of 24 -- Part 3 Audits Audit Act 1995 11 (c) a policy statement in a budget paper or any other document evidencing a policy decision of Cabinet or a Minister. 16 Auditor-General's reports (1) The Auditor-General may prepare a report on any audit performed by him or her or an authorised auditor. (2) If the audit is an audit of an Agency, the Auditor-General: (a) must give the report to the Accountable Officer; and (b) may give a copy of the report to the appropriate Minister, the Treasurer or both of them. (3) If the audit is an audit of a Territory controlled entity, the Auditor- General: (a) must give the report to the Accountable Officer of the Agency that, under the Administrative Arrangement Order, is allotted the general and financial responsibility for the principal area of government relevant to the Territory controlled entity; and (b) must give a copy of the report to a prescribed officer of the Territory controlled entity; and (c) may give a copy of the report to either or both of the following: (i) the Minister who, under the Administrative Arrangement Order, is responsible for the Agency mentioned in paragraph (a); (ii) the Treasurer. (4) If the audit is an audit of an organisation, the Auditor-General: (a) must give the report to the Accountable Officer of the Agency that, under the Administrative Arrangement Order, is allotted the general and financial responsibility for the principal area of government relevant to the organisation (if any); and (b) must give a copy of the report to a person whom the Auditor- General considers is concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the organisation; and (c) may give a copy of the report to either or both of the following: (i) the Minister who, under the Administrative Arrangement Order, is responsible for the Agency mentioned in paragraph (a); -- 13 of 24 -- Part 3 Audits Audit Act 1995 12 (ii) the Treasurer. (5) An Accountable Officer given a report or copy of a report under this section must pay due attention to comments made by the Auditor- General in the report. 17 Authorised auditors The Auditor-General may, in writing, appoint a person to be an authorised auditor. 18 Duties of authorised auditor The Auditor-General may, in writing, direct an authorised auditor to perform an audit required by this Act or another law of the Territory to be performed by the Auditor-General and to report on the audit to him or her, and an authorised auditor to whom such a direction is given must comply with the direction. 19 Access to accounts to be afforded for audit purposes (1) Without limiting the powers conferred by this Act, the Auditor- General or an authorised auditor must, at all reasonable times, have full and free access to all accounts and records required by the prescribed requirements to be kept and to money of the Territory or public property that is in the possession of any person and may make copies of or extracts from those accounts and records. (2) A person who has in the person's possession any accounts referred to in subsection (1), money of the Territory or public property must, at all reasonable times, on request by the Auditor-General or an authorised auditor, produce to the Auditor-General or the authorised auditor, as the case may be, such accounts, records, moneys or property as are specified in the request. 20 Production of books, accounts etc. The Auditor-General may, by notice, require a person named in the notice to appear personally before the Auditor-General at a time and place named in the notice and produce to him or her such accounts, books, documents or writings in the possession or under the control of that person as appear to the Auditor-General to be necessary for the purposes of an audit authorised or required by this Act or any other law of the Territory to be made by the Auditor- General. -- 14 of 24 -- Part 3 Audits Audit Act 1995 13 21 Information and explanations to be afforded (1) The Auditor-General or an authorised auditor may require the prescribed officer of, or a person employed in, an Agency or Territory controlled entity to furnish to him or her such information, advice or explanation as the Auditor-General or authorised auditor thinks necessary in relation to an audit, and a person so required must furnish the information, advice or explanation required to be furnished. (2) The Auditor-General or an authorised auditor may, at any time, cause a search to be made of and extracts taken from an account, document or record in the custody of an Agency or Territory controlled entity, without the payment of a fee for such search. 22 ADI officers to give access to accounts The Auditor-General or an authorised auditor may require the manager or other officer of an ADI in which money of the Territory has been deposited: (a) to permit the Auditor-General or auditor to make copies of or extracts from any of the ADI's accounts relating to the money in the custody of the ADI, including any account or record relating to an entry in the accounts of the ADI; and (b) to provide to the Auditor-General or auditor certificates or other information that the Auditor-General or auditor requires. 23 Secrecy (1) The operation of sections 19, 20, 21 and 22 is not limited by any provision (including a provision relating to secrecy) contained in any other law of the Territory (whether made before or after the commencement of this Act) except to the extent to which such other law expressly excludes the operation of this section. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law of the Territory, and notwithstanding the making of an oath or declaration of secrecy, a person is not guilty of an offence nor does any civil action lie against the person by reason of anything done by the person for the purposes of section 19, 20, 21 or 22. (3) The Auditor-General and every authorised auditor must preserve secrecy with respect to all matters and things coming to their knowledge in the performance of their functions or the exercise of their powers under this Act and must not, except in the course of their duty, communicate to a person any such matter or thing. -- 15 of 24 -- Part 4 Auditor-General's reports Audit Act 1995 14 Part 4 Auditor-General's reports 24 Reports to Legislative Assembly and supplementary reports (1) The Auditor-General must, not less than once in each year, prepare and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on those matters arising from the performance of his or her functions or the exercise of his or her powers that, in the Auditor-General's opinion, should be reported to the Assembly. (2) In subsection (1), report includes a report or reports, supplementary to a primary report, prepared and signed as soon as practicable after the preparation and submission of the primary report. (3) The Auditor-General may at any time make a special report to the Legislative Assembly on any matter or thing arising out of an audit to which, in his or her opinion, attention should be drawn. (4) The Auditor-General must not make a report under this section unless: (a) the Auditor-General has: (i) not later than 10 working days before the report is made, given a copy of the report, or a summary of findings and proposed recommendations, to: (A) if the report relates to an Agency or Territory controlled entity – the prescribed officer of the Agency or Territory controlled entity; or (B) if the report relates to an organisation – a person (the manager) whom the Auditor-General considers is concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the organisation; and (ii) in writing, asked the prescribed officer or the manager for submissions or comments before a specified date, being not earlier than 7 days after the copy of the report is given to the prescribed officer or the manager; and (b) the Auditor-General has included in the report all submissions or comments received before the report is made from the prescribed officer or the manager or a summary, in an agreed form, of such submissions or comments. -- 16 of 24 -- Part 5 Strategic review and audit of accounts of Auditor-General's Office and other Agencies Audit Act 1995 15 25 Audit of Treasurer's Annual Financial Statement The Auditor-General must, not later than 2 months after receiving the Treasurer's Annual Financial Statement, audit the Statement and prepare and sign a report to the Treasurer on the audit. Part 5 Strategic review and audit of accounts of Auditor-General's Office and other Agencies 26 Strategic review of Auditor-General's Office (1) Strategic reviews of the Auditor-General's Office must be conducted under this section. (2) A review under this section must be conducted not less than once in each year. (3) A review under this section must be undertaken by an appropriately qualified person appointed by the Administrator. (4) The terms of reference for a review under this section must be determined by the Administrator. (5) Before a person is appointed under this section to undertake a review, the Minister must consult with the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Assembly and the Auditor-General about: (a) the appointment; and (b) the terms of reference for the review. (6) The remuneration and other terms and conditions of appointment of a person appointed under this section to undertake a review must be as determined by the Administrator. (7) For the purposes of conducting the review: (a) the person has all the powers that an authorised auditor has under this Act; and (b) this Act applies to and in relation to the person and the review as if the person were an authorised auditor conducting an audit, and the review were an audit, under this Act. (8) Subject to subsection (9), on completing a review under this section, the person must give a report on the review to the Minister and the Auditor-General. -- 17 of 24 -- Part 5 Strategic review and audit of accounts of Auditor-General's Office and other Agencies Audit Act 1995 16 (9) Section 24 applies to a report under subsection (8) as if the person were the Auditor-General and the Auditor-General's Office were the agency to which the report relates and the matter was the subject of a report under that section. (10) The Minister must table a copy of a report under subsection (8) in the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days of the Assembly after it is received by the Minister. 27 Audit of accounts of Auditor-General's Office, Office of the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner, other Agency, Territory controlled entity or other organisation (1) The Administrator may, from time to time, appoint an auditor, who is registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth): (a) to audit the accounts of the Auditor-General's Office; or (ab) to audit the accounts of the Office of the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner; or (b) to audit the accounts of an Agency, Territory controlled entity or other organisation in respect of which the Auditor-General has declared he or she has a conflict of interest. (2) Every audit under subsection (1) must be performed not less than once in a year. (3) An auditor appointed under subsection (1), in conducting an audit and preparing a report under this section, has the same powers and is subject to the same requirements as the Auditor-General when conducting an audit and preparing a report under this Act. (4) Subject to subsection (5), on completing an audit under this section, the auditor must give a report of the audit to the Minister and the Auditor-General. (5) Where an auditor is appointed under subsection (1) to audit the accounts of the Auditor-General's Office, section 24 applies to a report under subsection (4) as if the auditor were the Auditor- General and the Auditor-General's Office were the Agency to which the report relates. (6) The Minister must table a copy of a report referred to in subsection (4) in the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days of the Assembly after it is received by the Minister. -- 18 of 24 -- Part 7 Transitional matters for Audit Amendment Act 2011 Audit Act 1995 17 28 Extension of function to audit accounts of organisation (1) The functions of the Auditor-General under this Act extend to the carrying out, at his or her discretion, of an audit of the accounts of an organisation in which the Territory, an Agency or a Territory controlled entity has an interest: (a) where a Minister requests the Auditor-General to carry out the audit and arranges with the organisation for its accounts to be made available for the purpose; or (b) in accordance with an arrangement made under subsection (2). (2) The Auditor-General may, at the request of a Minister, make an arrangement with an organisation, not being an Agency, in which the Territory or an Agency has an interest for the carrying out by the Auditor-General of the audit of the accounts of the organisation and may, with the consent of the Minister, vary or revoke such an arrangement. (3) An arrangement under subsection (2) may include provision for the payment of a fee by the organisation to the Territory in respect of the carrying out of the audit. Part 6 General matters 29 Offences A person who contravenes a provision of this Act that applies to the person is guilty of an offence. Maximum penalty: 8 penalty units. 29A Regulations The Administrator may make regulations under this Act. Part 7 Transitional matters for Audit Amendment Act 2011 30 Auditor-General may be reappointed for further period (1) This section applies to the person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, held office as the Auditor-General. -- 19 of 24 -- Part 9 Transitional matters for Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Act 2025 Audit Act 1995 18 (2) Subject to subsection (3), the person's appointment as Auditor- General is not affected by the amendment of section 4 by the Audit Amendment Act 2011. (3) If the person held office as the Auditor-General because of an appointment under section 4(2) as in force immediately before commencement, the person is eligible for a single reappointment as the Auditor-General under section 4(3) for a further period not exceeding 3 years. Part 8 Transitional matters for Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2019 31 Effect on Auditor-General in office (1) The office holder continues to hold the office of Auditor-General on the same terms and conditions that applied to the office holder's appointment before the commencement. (2) After the commencement, this Act applies to the office holder for the purposes of any reappointment as Auditor-General and the term of office that the office holder held before the commencement is to be counted for section 4B(2). (3) In this section: commencement means the commencement of section 5 of the Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2019. officer holder means the person who, immediately before the commencement, held office as the Auditor-General. Part 9 Transitional matters for Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Act 2025 32 Application of amendments to sections 4C and 7B on Auditor- General in office (1) The amendments to this Act by sections 91 and 92 of the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Act 2025 do not apply to the Auditor-General who is in office immediately before the commencement of those sections, for the duration of the term of appointment that is in effect immediately before the commencement. -- 20 of 24 -- Part 9 Transitional matters for Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Act 2025 Audit Act 1995 19 (2) To avoid doubt, the amendments referred to in subsection (1) commence applying if the Auditor-General who is in office immediately before the commencement is reappointed under section 4B(2) after the commencement. -- 21 of 24 -- ENDNOTES Audit Act 1995 20 ENDNOTES 1 KEY Key to abbreviations amd = amended od = order app = appendix om = omitted bl = by-law pt = Part ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule cl = clause rem = remainder div = Division renum = renumbered exp = expires/expired rep = repealed f = forms s = section Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation lt = long title sub = substituted nc = not commenced 2 LIST OF LEGISLATION Audit Act 1995 (Act No. 2, 1995) Assent date 21 March 1995 Commenced 1 April 1995 (s 2, s 2 Financial Management Act 1995 (Act No. 4, 1995) and Gaz S13, 31 March 1995) Financial Institutions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1997 (Act No. 23, 1997) Assent date 2 June 1997 Commenced 2 June 1997 Corporations Reform (Consequential Amendments NT) Act 2001 (Act No. 17, 2001) Assent date 29 June 2001 Commenced 15 July 2001 (s 2, s 2 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth Act No. 50, 2001) and Cth Gaz S285, 13 July 2001) Statute Law Revision (Financial Provisions) Act 2002 (Act No. 38, 2002) Assent date 13 September 2002 Commenced 30 October 2002 (Gaz G43, 30 October 2002, p 3) Financial Management Amendment Act 2009 (Act No. 15, 2009) Assent date 18 June 2009 Commenced 18 June 2009 Public Information Act 2010 (Act No. 11, 2010) Assent date 20 May 2010 Commenced 1 August 2010 (Gaz G29, 21 July 2010, p 8) Audit Amendment Act 2011 (Act No. 15, 2011) Assent date 20 May 2011 Commenced 20 May 2011 -- 22 of 24 -- ENDNOTES Audit Act 1995 21 Penalties Amendment (Chief Minister's and Other Portfolios) Act 2011 (Act No. 27, 2011) Assent date 31 August 2011 Commenced 21 September 2011 (Gaz G38, 21 September 2011, p 5) Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2019 (Act No. 23, 2019) Assent date 9 August 2019 Commenced 10 August 2019 (s 2) Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Act 2025 (Act No. 32, 2025) Assent date 27 November 2025 Commenced ss 3 to 7 and pts 2 to 6 and 8: 1 June 2026 (s 2(2) and Gaz S39, 29 May 2026); rem: 28 November 2025 (s 2(1)) 3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 3 and 8. 4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS lt amd No. 15, 2011, s 3 pt 1 hdg amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 s 3 amd No. 15, 2011, s 4; No. 23, 2019, s 4 s 4 amd No. 15, 2011, s 5 sub No. 23, 2019, s 5 ss 4A – 4B ins No. 23, 2019, s 5 s 4C ins No. 23, 2019, s 5 amd No. 32, 2025, s 91 s 5 amd No. 15, 2009, s 16; No. 15, 2011, s 17; No. 23, 2019, s 6 s 6 amd No. 23, 2019, s 7 s 7 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 sub No. 23, 2019, s 8 s 7A ins No. 23, 2019, s 8 s 7B ins No. 23, 2019, s 8 amd No. 32, 2025, s 92 s 8 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 s 9 sub No. 15, 2011, s 6 rep No. 23, 2019, s 9 s 10 amd No. 17, 2001, s 21; No. 15, 2011, s 17 sub No. 23, 2019, s 9 s 11 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 sub No. 23, 2019, s 9 s 12 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 s 12A ins No. 15, 2011, s 7 s 13 amd No. 11, 2010, s 13; No. 15, 2011, s 8 s 14 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 s 15 amd No. 15, 2011, s 9 s 16 amd No. 15, 2011, s 10 ss 18 – 20 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 s 21 amd No. 15, 2011, s 11 s 22 amd No. 23, 1997, s 6 sub No. 38, 2002, s 3 s 23 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 -- 23 of 24 -- ENDNOTES Audit Act 1995 22 s 24 amd No. 15, 2011, s 12 s 25 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 pt 5 hdg amd No. 32, 2025, s 93 s 26 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 amd No. 32, 2025, s 94 s 27 amd No. 17, 2001, s 21; No. 15, 2011, s 13; No. 32, 2025, s 95 s 28 amd No. 15, 2011, s 14 pt 6 hdg amd No. 15, 2011, s 17 s 29 amd No. 15, 2011, s 17; No. 27, 2011, s 3 s 29A ins No. 15, 2011, s 15 pt 7 hdg sub No. 15, 2011, s 16 s 30 sub No. 15, 2011, s 16 pt 8 hdg ins No. 23, 2019, s 10 s 31 rep No. 15, 2011, s 16 ins No. 23, 2019, s 10 pt 9 hdg ins No. 32, 2025, s 96 s 32 ins No. 32, 2025, s 96 sch rep No. 23, 2019, s 11 -- 24 of 24 --