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

A report by a discloser made under the PID Act is a public interest disclosure (PID).

All Australian Government agencies, Commonwealth companies and public authorities have responsibilities under the PID Act to investigate suspected wrongdoing and take appropriate action.

What behaviour can be reported?

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

  • a contravention of the law
  • corruption
  • perverting the course of justice
  • maladministration
  • an abuse of public trust
  • an abuse of a public official’s position
  • falsifying scientific research
  • wastage of public money.    

Who can make a disclosure?

A current or former public official can make a disclosure under the PID Act. This includes:

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

Additional information and resources are available at ombudmsan.gov.au: see Information for Disclosers.

How to make a public interest disclosure

Australian Government agencies appoint authorised officers to receive, assess and allocate PIDs.

NACC authorised officers are the Chief Executive Officer, Director People and Culture, and staff holding the position of General Manager.

An official can make a PID about their agency to an authorised officer of their agency.  If you are a current public official, you can also make a PID to an authorised officer through your supervisor. 

If, in the course of their duty, an authorised officer of an agency becomes aware of corrupt conduct that is serious or systemic, they must report the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. 

To submit a public interest disclosure or for more information:

Email: PID@nacc.gov.au

Post:  Mark the item: ‘Confidential – PID’

GPO Box 605
CANBERRA ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

The NACC will not tolerate any reprisal action against a person who makes a disclosure in accordance with the PID Act.

Protections for people who make a disclosure

The PID Act provides protections for disclosers (‘whistleblowers’) and witnesses from criminal and civil liability and from reprisals.

The NACC Act also provides protections for people who provide information to the Commission about a corruption issue. See Protections (NACC)

Privacy notice

Your personal information is protected by Australian law, including the Privacy Act 1988, and is collected by the NACC for the purpose of responding to and/or investigating a public interest disclosure.

Your information may be disclosed to other parties if required by any Australian law.

Information about how the NACC manages your personal information and how to make a privacy complaint about how the NACC has handled your information, is in the NACC privacy policy.

Further information

More information on the Public Interest Disclosure Scheme is available on the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s website.