Integrity

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Make a report

Integrity is a long-held and well-established value within the Australian Public Service (APS). It’s also an underpinning principle of our department’s values.

Our department and officers hold a trusted place within the community. We work within the:

How we ensure integrity

We promote, educate and empower our people to adopt a pro-integrity culture. We ensure Integrity in our department through our:

  • Corporate Plan and Enterprise Risk Management Framework
  • Integrity Strategy
  • fraud and corruption control plans
  • security plans and frameworks
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Personnel Security Policy
  • Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination Policy
  • Workplace Behaviour Policy
  • integrity awareness programs
  • mandatory integrity and security declarations.

We have procedures for determining breaches of the APS Code of Conduct. Sanctions may be imposed if a breach of the code is found.

These are established under section 15(3) of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act). They are publicly available on our website in accordance with section 15(7) of the PS Act.

Download

Procedures for determining breaches of the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct and the imposition of sanctions (PDF 161 KB)
Procedures for determining breaches of the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct and the imposition of sanctions (DOCX 65.3 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

Make an integrity report

What to report

We receive, triage and assess all reports of suspected employee misconduct. This could include:

  • bullying
  • corruption
  • discrimination
  • fraud
  • harassment
  • misuse of department property or resources
  • sexual harassment or assault
  • victimisation.

As part of our triage and assessment process, we may refer information raised in your report to another agency.

How to report

You can contact us to report:

  • suspected misconduct
  • other inappropriate behaviour
  • fraud or corruption.

Our staff are bound by confidentiality. We will not share your personal information without your consent, except where it is required by law such as:

  • when there is an imminent threat to your, or someone else’s, safety
  • where we identify a workplace health or safety risk
  • during criminal investigations or court proceedings.

You can contact us via the following channels:

We recommend you include specific details. These details may include:

  • who was involved, including any witnesses
  • where the incident occurred
  • when it occurred (include dates and times)
  • what occurred
  • why you are reporting the issue
  • whether you consent to being contacted for further information
  • any relevant documents to support the report
  • any other information that will help the us appropriately assess and triage your report to ensure appropriate action.

Anonymous reporting

You may choose to provide your name, use a pseudonym or remain anonymous.

If you report anonymously and provide limited information, we may not be able to take appropriate action. In these instances, reports will be kept on file for reference, for example, if ongoing misconduct is reported.

Public Interest Disclosure (PID)

Public officials (disclosers) who suspect wrongdoing within the Commonwealth public sector can raise their concerns under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID Act).

Reports made under the PID Act are Public Interest Disclosures (PID).

A disclosure is information that tends to show, or that the public official reasonably believes tends to show, disclosable conduct. Disclosable conduct is conduct engaged in by an agency, public official or contracted service provider.

Conduct which may be the subject of a PID includes, but is not limited, to:

  • illegal conduct
  • corruption
  • maladministration
  • abuse of public trust
  • deception relating to scientific research
  • wastage or lack of accountability for public money
  • conduct that poses a risk to health, safety or the environment.

The PID Act offers protection to disclosers (‘whistle blowers’) and witnesses from reprisal action.

All Australian Government agencies, Commonwealth companies and public authorities have responsibilities under the PID Act to:

  • investigate suspected wrongdoing
  • take appropriate action.

Authorised officers are public officials appointed by an agency. Under the PID Act, authorised officers have responsibility for:

  • receiving
  • assessing
  • allocating internal PIDs.

For more information, read the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s information for disclosers.

For specific advice on PIDs, email PID.Inbox@dcceew.gov.au.

Make a PID

To submit a PID or for more information:

You can also make a PID directly to the Commonwealth Ombudsman

What to include in your PID

We recommend you provide as much information as possible. These details include:

  • your name and contact details
  • the nature of the wrongdoing
  • who committed the wrongdoing
  • when and where the wrongdoing occurred
  • relevant background information and events
  • if anything has been done in response to the wrongdoing
  • contact details for anyone else who is aware of the wrongdoing
  • any concerns about possible reprisal as a result of making the disclosure

If you have any supporting information, such as correspondence, documents, notes, or diary accounts of the events, we recommend you provide these along with your disclosure.

Who is eligible to make a disclosure

A current or former public official can make a disclosure. This includes:

  • public servants (ongoing, non-ongoing and casual)
  • parliamentary service employees
  • service providers under a Australian Government contract
  • statutory office holders
  • staff of Australian Government companies
  • temporary employees engaged through a recruitment agency.

A public official also includes any other person deemed by the authorised officer to be a public official for the purposes of the PID Act.

Anonymous reporting

You can report anonymously. However, if you do not provide a means of contact, it may be difficult for us to:

  • investigate your disclosure
  • communicate with you through the process.

Identifying yourself allows the team to provide you with the protection, support, and updates that you are entitled to.

Investigators have the discretion to not proceed with an investigation if you:

  • choose not to provide your name and contact details
  • are unable to provide additional information should it be needed.

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)

The NACC operates under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022. It’s an independent Commonwealth agency. The NACC detects, investigates and reports on serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector. The NACC also educates the public service, and the public, about corruption risks and prevention.

The NACC can investigate allegations of corrupt conduct whether it occurred before or after the NACC was established.

The NACC can investigate:

  • ministers, parliamentarians and their staff
  • statutory office holders
  • employees and contractors of all Australian Government agencies
  • any person who seeks to corrupt a public official by engaging in conduct that could adversely affect the honest or impartial performance by an official of their functions, duties, or the exercise of their powers.

All department workers are under the jurisdiction of the NACC. This includes:

  • employees
  • contractors
  • subcontractors
  • apprentices or trainees
  • consultants
  • work experience students
  • volunteers.

Find out more about the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Contact us