Special administration of a New South Wales Aboriginal health organisation has ended.

The Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS) was placed into administration following the finding of “serious financial discrepancies” last year.

Fraudulent transactions dating back to 2016 were identified, leading its auditor to issue a disclaimer of opinion for the 2020-21 financial statements.  

WACHS is responsible for providing health services to around 2,000 people in Wellington, as well as outreach services to another 3,000 people in Moree and western Sydney. 

The state’s registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Tricia Stroud, says she is pleased the corporation is now financially viable.

“There was no disruption to medical and wellbeing services during the special administration — and significantly, a governance and operational structure is now in place that represents WACHS’ service footprint,” Ms Stroud said.

WACHS says it has taken further steps to mitigate risks of more financial irregularities, and increased the accountability and transparency of the organisation. 

Ms Stroud said the new executive management team would save the organisation $1.5 million a year.

“Before the special administration, WACHS had no executive management staff in Greater Western Sydney. Now, a newly appointed Deputy CEO is permanently located in Greater Western Sydney,” Ms Stroud added.

Darren Green is the new CEO of the organisation and its new chief financial officer is Avtar Singh.