Victoria's $39bn Covid spending riddled with waste and ineligible payments
An audit found Victoria spent $39 billion on Covid. The spending included $771 million in wasted PPE and up to $397 million in ineligible payments.
Victoria's Auditor-General has released a damning audit of the state's Covid spending. The state spent at least $39 billion on its pandemic response between 2019 and 2026.
Of the $12 billion in Covid grants, up to $397 million went to high-risk and possibly ineligible recipients. The Department of Health wrote off more than $771 million in unused PPE between 2023 and 2025.
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions reportedly wrote off $72.5 million in grants to ineligible people. Another $75.4 million in Covid and flood grants were also written off in error.
The audit noted departments spent a further $3 billion that was not tracked in official government reports.
- $39.8 billion
- Total Covid spending
- Up to $397 million
- Ineligible grant payments
- $771 million
- Wasted PPE written off
- $3 billion
- Untracked spending
Why it mattersThe audit reveals major failures in government spending controls and accountability. It raises serious questions about how the government oversaw public money during the pandemic.
AustraliaDirectly affects Victorian taxpayers and puts pressure on the state government over financial stewardship; findings may influence state budget and policy responses.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
