Fraud and corruption

Find out more about our approach and how to report suspected fraud or corruption.

On this page:

What is fraud or corruption

Fraud is dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means.

Corrupt conduct includes:

  • any conduct of any person (whether or not a public official) that adversely affects, or that could adversely affect, the honest or impartial exercise of any public official’s powers, functions, or duties as a public official
  • any conduct of a public official that constitutes or involves a breach of public trust
  • any conduct of a public official that constitutes, involves or is engaged in for the purpose of abuse of the person’s office as a public official
  • any conduct of a public official, or former public official, that constitutes or involves the misuse of information or documents acquired in the person’s capacity as a public official.

This definition is based on the definition of corrupt conduct in section 8 of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022. More information about corrupt conduct in relation to the National Anti-Corruption Commission is available at What is corrupt conduct | National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Fraud and corruption strategy statement

We don’t tolerate fraud or corruption.

We can only consider fraud or corruption that relates to our agency. This can include fraud or corruption committed by our employees or contractors or within a service, program or grant administered by us.

If you suspect fraud or corruption relating to our agency, please tell us. Suspected fraud or corruption related to other departments or agencies should be referred to them.

How to report suspected fraud or corruption

Before making a report, check that the suspected fraud or corruption relates to our agency. If you are looking for help with a general workplace problem or question, you can Contact us in different ways.

If you would like to make a report, please:

  • include your name and contact details (if you’re not making an anonymous report)
  • detail the nature of the allegation
  • detail relevant issues related to the event including who, what, when and where
  • keep it clear and factual
  • include any supporting evidence available
  • include any other information that may assist us decide how to proceed.

To report suspected fraud or corruption relating to our agency, you can email us at fraud@fwo.gov.au or write to us at:

Accountability and Risk
Fair Work Ombudsman
GPO Box 9887
In your capital city

You can choose to report suspected fraud or corruption anonymously. However, if you remain anonymous and not enough detail is provided, we may be unable to action your report.

What happens next

If you’ve provided your contact details in your report, we may ask you for further information. However, due to privacy or other restrictions that may apply, we may not be able to provide you with details of the outcome of your report.

If the matter appears to involve offences or other criminal conduct under state or territory law or other legislation, we may refer the matter to the responsible state or territory police or other enforcement agency.

Privacy

Personal information collected by us for the purpose of actioning allegations of suspected fraud or corruption is subject to the Privacy Act 1988. For more information about our privacy policy, visit Privacy.

National Anti-Corruption Commission and public interest disclosures

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) began operating on 1 July 2023. The NACC is an independent Commonwealth agency that detects, investigates and reports on serious or systemic corrupt conduct in the Commonwealth public sector. The NACC also educates the public service and the public about corruption risks and prevention.

More information about the NACC is available at National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Information about the Public Interest Disclosure Scheme is available on the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s website.

Related information