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04 Our Governance d Principles 12–13
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Principle 12

Assurance

The Board ensures that assurance services and functions enable an effective control environment and support the integrity of information for internal decision-making and external reports.

Critical success factors and progress towards delivery

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

Skilled and certified audit professionals

Why it matters

Ensures the function can provide independent and objective assurance over increasingly complex and emerging risks

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Certifications, AI training, benchmarking visits, auditor rotation, and continuous professional development

Evidence of progress

91.0% staff engagement index; expanded specialist capability

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

Impactful reporting and stakeholder confidence

Why it matters

Enhances the relevance and value of Internal Audit insights to decision-makers

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Strengthened engagement with the Board, Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Management, and assurance stakeholders

Evidence of progress

91.0% stakeholder relevance target; growing demand for advisory support

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

Focus on the organisation's highest risks

Why it matters

Directs assurance resources towards strategic priorities and emerging threats

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Risk-based planning aligned to Vision 2035, emphasising technology, ESG and transformation initiatives

Evidence of progress

100.0% planned audit delivery; enterprise-wide assurance coverage

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

Technology-enabled assurance

Why it matters

Improves assurance quality, efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Expansion of data analytics, continuous auditing, AI-enabled audit techniques, and AMS utilisation

Evidence of progress

90.0% of assignments supported through analytics and digital audit tools

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

Strong Internal Audit frameworks and methodologies

Why it matters

Promotes consistency, quality, and professional conformance

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Adoption of Global Internal Audit Standards; refresh of the Charter and Internal Audit Manual

Evidence of progress

External quality assessment completed; standards alignment achieved

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

Quality assurance and continuous improvement

Why it matters

Supports continual enhancement of audit effectiveness and stakeholder confidence

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Three-tier quality assurance programme including self-assessments and external assessments

Evidence of progress

90.0% compliance target; successful quality reviews

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

Combined assurance and stakeholder collaboration

Why it matters

Reduces duplication and strengthens governance oversight

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Enhanced coordination with Risk Management and Legal; development of a combined assurance framework

Evidence of progress

Improved assurance integration and coordinated oversight

Critical success factor

Why it matters

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Evidence of progress

Critical success factor

ESG and sustainability assurance capability

Why it matters

Supports credible sustainability reporting and ESG governance

FY2025/26 actions and plans

Development and implementation of an ESG assurance framework covering governance, risk, controls, reporting, and monitoring

Evidence of progress

ESG assurance incorporated into annual audit planning and reporting

Up nextProgress towards our strategic outcome

NSSF Integrated Report 2026

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NSSF Integrated Report 2026

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01

Report Overview

02

Our Business

03

Our Strategy

04

Our Governance

05

Our Sustainability

06

Our Performance

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