Fraud and corruption control

What is fraud and corruption

We do not tolerate dishonest, fraudulent, or corrupt conduct. You must report any cases of suspected fraud and corruption, so we can prevent or stop it.

Fraud is dishonestly obtaining (or attempting to obtain) a gain or benefit, or causing a loss by deception or other means. 

• Internal fraud is fraud committed by officials or contractors. 
• External fraud is fraud committed by third parties, including customers, clients, service providers and other members of the external public. 

Examples of fraud may include: 

• theft of Australian Government assets
• misuse or misappropriation of grant funds
• providing misleading or inaccurate information on an application for employment 
• providing false or forged documents like invoices to obtain payment for services not delivered.

There are 4 types of corrupt conduct under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (NACC Act). A person engages in corrupt conduct if they: 

• are a public official and they breach public trust
• are a public official and they abuse their office as a public official
• are a public official, or former public official, and they misuse information gained in their capacity as a public official
• do something that adversely affects a public official’s honest or impartial exercise of powers or performance of official duties. Any person can engage in this type of corrupt conduct, even if they are not a public official themselves. 

Corrupt conduct may be fraud when it results in someone dishonestly receiving a benefit or causing a loss. However, not all corrupt conduct is fraud.

How we control against fraud and corruption

Our internal functions of prevention, detection, response and monitoring and assurance create a robust governance environment. This environment supports our fraud and corruption risk management, while ensuring we meet community expectations and legislative obligations. 

We comply with the Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework and supporting policies. We find, assess and consider all fraud and corruption claims. 

We expect our staff to show high levels of personal integrity and act in accordance with the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Read our Fraud and Corruption Control Plan snapshot to learn more.

How to report fraud and corruption

If you notice something that doesn’t seem right, or suspect that fraud or corruption may have occurred, you must report it. 

Email Publicinterestdisclosures@industry.gov.au to make a public interest disclosure about a possible fraud matter.

You can report serious or systemic corruption to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

What to expect if you report fraud

We treat all reports of fraud or corruption seriously and in confidence. We assess all reports and investigate where appropriate. 

When you submit a report, you will receive:

• a case reference number
• contact details. 

When we receive your report: 

• an officer will assess your referral 
• we will decide the appropriate course of action. 

Sometimes you will not know the outcome of an assessment. This is to protect the privacy of the people involved. We take all the necessary steps to assess your report.