In his report released this week, one of the largest shortfalls was in Communities Tasmania, which manages Housing Tasmania, at 43.1 per cent.

The department has a budgeted capital expenditure of $116.5 million in 2020-21, but spent just $49.7 million.

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There was a 35.2 per cent capital expenditure shortfall within the Health Department over four years.

The department had a budgeted capital expenditure of $229.6 million in 2020-21, but spent $97.5 million which represented a shortfall of 57.6 per cent.

State Growth had a capital expenditure budget of $410 million, but spent $282.7 million.

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Auditor-General Rod Whitehead said the reasons given for expenditure shortfalls across departments included a shortage of materials and labour for building and construction projects, an impact on project timelines due to COVID-19, and having projects still in the planning phase.

"Notwithstanding the capital expenditure gap effect attributed to COVID19, many departments have consistently underdelivered their capital budgets over the past three years," he said.

The Tasmanian Health Service recorded the largest net deficit of all general government services in 2020-21 with a $28 million deficit, according to the Auditor-General's report.

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Housing Tasmania also recorded a net deficit of $9.4 million as did the Education Department with a $3.2 million deficit. State Growth on the other had recorded a net surplus of $146.1 million.

The Health Department overall recorded a net surplus of $40.3 million, compared to a $105.8 surplus in 2019-20.

An audit of the financial sustainability of Tasmania's 29 councils is due to be released early next year.

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