The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) has been established pursuant to section 45 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and PGPA Rule section 17 Audit Committees for Commonwealth Entities. ARC members are appointed by the Secretary.
In accordance with PGPA Act requirements, an independent member has been appointed as the Chair and the majority of members are independent. ARC members are appointed for an initial period of three years.
The ARC provides independent advice to the Secretary and Departmental Executive on DFAT’s financial and performance reporting responsibilities, risk oversight and management, internal control and compliance framework and DFAT’s external accountability responsibilities. The functions of the ARC are prescribed in the ARC Charter.