Auditor finds hundreds of millions in waste in Victoria's Covid response

A report by Victoria’s Auditor-General’s Office found that Victoria spent at least $39bn on its Covid response, with hundreds of millions paid to potentially ineligible recipients or written off. The report noted that between 2023 and 2025, the Department of Health wrote off over $771m of unused PPE equipment. Additionally, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions wrote off $72.5m in Covid grants by June 2025, after determining they were paid to ineligible applicants.

The findings detail significant financial waste related to the state's pandemic spending. The report indicates that up to $397m was paid to high-risk and potentially ineligible recipients. This scrutiny follows political transitions, including Jacinta Allan succeeding Daniel Andrews, and James Newbury confirming his role as Premier.