Public health emergencies can be caused by events which impact on public health or events that can potentially overwhelm the health-system.

For example, a highly infectious disease spreading through the community, health impacts arising from emergencies (for example smoke from a major fire or waterborne diseases during a flood), and any mass casualty situations or weather-related events such as thunderstorm asthma.

Examples of significant public health emergencies include the Victoria’s thunderstorm asthma event of 21–22 November 2016, and the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2017 Department of Health’s Coordination of Communicable Disease Emergencies (External link) Australia’s communicable disease emergency response arrangements are based on the premise that health authorities and healthcare providers are in a constant state of preparedness and response. The audit's objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health’s strategies for managing a communicable disease emergency. It makes eight findings and three recommendations in support of better practices. Australian National Audit Office
2018 Implementation of recommendations from the Review of response into the thunderstorm asthma event of 21–22 November 2016 - Progress Report May 2018 (External link) An assessment of progress on implementation of recommendations from the 'Review of response to the thunderstorm asthma event of 21-22 November 2016. The report found significant improvements in Victoria’s capacity to respond to rapid-onset emergencies such as the 2016 thunderstorm asthma event. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2019 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry - Annual Report 2018 (External link) An assessment of progress of the remaining 59 government actions, and 12 non-government recommendations and affirmations following IGEM’s Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry: Implementation of recommendations and affirmations Annual Report 2017.
It further assessed the progress of implementation of all recommendations and affirmations from the 2014 and 2015–16 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports, concluding that significant progress had been achieved to improve emergency planning and coordination, health outcomes and mine rehabilitation in the Latrobe Valley.
Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2019 Implementation of Recommendations from the Review of response to the thunderstorm asthma event of 21-22 November 2016 - Progress Report - 2019 (External link) A report assessing the implementation of recommendations from the Review. Key achievements included - outcome measures for the management of health emergencies, a Real-time Health Emergency Monitoring System to support situational awareness of the public health system, and better understanding issues with sharing health or personal information during emergencies. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2020 National Contact Tracing Review (External link) An examination of COVID-19 contact tracing and outbreak management systems and processes in all states and territories. The report found significant improvements to systems and processes over the course of the pandemic but identified areas for further improvement. It also proposed an optimal contact tracing and outbreak management system for states and territories to evaluate performance against. Australian Government
2020 Inquiry into the Victorian Government's COVID-19 Contact Tracing System and Testing Regime (External link) A report into to the capacity and fitness for purpose of Victoria's contact tracing system and testing regime, it found that the use of manual data entry processes at the beginning of the pandemic was not fit to deal with any escalation of cases and led to significant error. The report recommended enhancing the public health system towards a more decentralised, community-based approach. Parliament of Victoria
2020 Inquiry into the Victorian Government's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic - Interim Report (External link) A review of the responses taken by the Victorian Government, including as part of the National Cabinet, to manage the COVID-19 pandemic; and any other matter related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parliament of Victoria
2020 COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry Interim Report and Recommendations (External link) An interim report identifying issues emerging from the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry prior to the delivery of the final report and makes recommendations for a Quarantine Program in Victoria as the Victorian Government considers re-opening to international arrivals. Board of Inquiry into the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Program
2020 COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry Final Report and Recommendations (External link) An inquiry established due to the link between the second wave of COVID-19 cases and the outbreaks from the Hotel Quarantine Program. This final report finds that there were serious failings, in terms of provision of pandemic planning across the broader Victorian health sector and is to be read in conjunction with the interim report. Board of Inquiry into the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Program
2020 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry - Annual Report 2019 (External link) An assessment of progress in implementing recommendations and affirmations from the 2014 and 2015–16 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports. In this report IGEM extended its reporting to include effectiveness monitoring of three completed actions, which provided further assurance that implemented actions have achieved their objectives. Inspector-General for Emergency Management