The Office of Evaluation and Audit (Indigenous Programs)
What does OEA do?
OEA provides objective advice to the Australian Government about the management and performance of its programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We make recommendations about how Indigenous-specific programs can be improved, and how the Australian Government can deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Originally part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), OEA was established within the Department of Finance and Deregulation by section 193V of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 [
] in July 2004.
Director of Evaluation and Audit
The Director of Evaluation and Audit is a statutory officeholder appointed pursuant to section 193ZA of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005. The current Director of Evaluation and Audit is Colin Plowman. He commenced a five year term on 17 July 2006.
The Minister
OEA reports on its evaluations and audits to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, the Hon Lindsay Tanner MP. Reports may be tabled in Parliament or published, at the Minister's discretion.
The Work Program
OEA works to a three year rolling Work Program. Each year, the Work Program is reviewed and published by 1 July. However, the Director has the power to vary the Work Program at any time.
Contact for information on this page: OEA@finance.gov.au