Integrity

Our commitment

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity as a core value of the Australian Public Service (APS). Integrity also serves as a fundamental principle of our values.

We hold a trusted place within the community and work within the:

• APS Code of Conduct
• APS Values
• Departmental policies and guidelines
• Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).

How we ensure integrity

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

• annual integrity maturity assessments
• fraud and corruption control plans
• integrity and security policies, plans and frameworks
• integrity engagement programs
• mandatory integrity and security declarations
• our Corporate Plan and Enterprise Risk Management Framework and Policy
• support for staff to act in accordance with the APC Code of Conduct.

Procedures for determining breaches to the Code

We have procedures for determining breaches to the APS Code of Conduct (the Code). 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 (Cth). They are publicly available on our website in accordance with section 15(7) of the Act.

Download

• Procedures for determining breaches of the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct and the imposition of sanctions (PDF - 1.0 MB)
• Procedures for determining breaches of the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct and the imposition of sanctions (DOCX - 234 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.

Make an integrity report

What to report

We receive, triage, and assess all allegations of suspected misconduct, fraud and corruption, including referring complaints to another appropriate agency if required. This could include:

• bullying
• conduct related matters
• corruption
• criminal activity
• discrimination
• failing to act with respect and courtesy
• fraud
• harassment
• misuse of departmental property or resources
• sexual harassment or assault.

How to report

You can contact us to report suspected misconduct, inappropriate behaviour, fraud or corruption.

All our staff are bound by confidentiality. They will not share your information without your consent, except where it is required by law, such as:

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

What to include

When reporting suspected misconduct, fraud or corruption, we recommend you include specific details. This will support us to triage, assess and respond to your report as quickly and efficiently as possible. 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 referral
• any other information that will help 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 provide information anonymously, we may be limited in the action it can take to address the report.

Public Interest Disclosure (PID)

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

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

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

• investigate suspected wrongdoing
• take appropriate action.

Disclosable conduct

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:

• 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 blower’) from reprisal action.

Who can make a PID

A disclosure can be made by a current or former public official. This includes:

• parliamentary service employees
• public servants (ongoing, non-ongoing and casual)
• service providers under a Commonwealth contract
• staff of Commonwealth companies
• statutory office holders
• 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.

How to make a PID

Authorised officers are public officials appointed by an agency to receive, assess and allocate internal PIDs. They have a range of decision making, notification and other responsibilities under the PID Act. These include:

• providing advice to public officials about the PID process
• assessing all allegations of wrongdoing under the PID Act and decide if they constitute an internal PID
• arranging a risk assessment in relation to the risk of reprisal from the PID
• identifying and addressing any possible conflicts of interest that may affect the handling of the internal PID.

What to include 

When making a PID, we recommend you provide as much information as possible. These details include:

• your name and contact details
• nature of the wrongdoing
• who committed the wrongdoing
• when and where the wrongdoing occurred
• relevant background information and events
• things has been done in response to the wrongdoing
• contact details for anyone else who is aware of the wrongdoing
• any concerns about possible reprisal 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.

Anonymous reporting

You can choose to report anonymously. However, identifying yourself allows the team to provide you with the protection, support, and updates that you are entitled to. Providing your details also allows the investigators to contact you to clarify any details they may need.

Investigators have the discretion to not proceed with an investigation if you choose not to provide your name and contact details or are unable to provide additional information needed.

See more

See more about PID on the Commonwealth Ombudsman website:

• Public interest disclosure (whistleblowing)
• Tools and resources

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)

The NACC operates under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022. It’s an independent Commonwealth agency that 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 whether it occurred before or after it was established.

The NACC has the power to investigate:

• ministers, parliamentarians and their staff, statutory office holders, and employees and contractors of all government entities
• 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:

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

See more information on National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Commonwealth Child Safe Framework

We must all protect and ensure the wellbeing of children and young people in our workplaces.

Our staff have routine or occasional contact with children at our airports, marine ports and other operational locations. There are other areas where occasional contact occurs. This includes community outreach, vacation care, festivals and events and school visits.

We are committed to building a positive and proactive child safe culture. This supports child safety and wellbeing and meets child safety laws.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse released their final report in December 2017. Following this, the Australian Government introduced the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.

The framework sets the standard for creating and embedding a child safe culture and practice in our Australian Government entities.

Annual Child Safety Statement of Compliance

Under the framework, Australian Government departments must complete an annual risk assessment and publish an annual statement of compliance. This identifies agency responsibilities and management strategies when it comes to child safety.

Contact us

Email: integrity@aff.gov.au 
Phone: Integrity Hotline 1800 99 88 80