Fraud and corruption

What is fraud and corruption?

ASD does not tolerate fraudulent or corrupt behaviour, and treat both suspected and actual fraud and corruption seriously.

ASD has adopted the following Australian Government definitions:

Fraud: “dishonestly obtaining a bene​fit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means”.

Corruption: “dishonest activity in which a person associated with an organisation (e.g. director, executive, manager, employee or contractor) acts contrary to the interest of the organisation and abuses their position of trust in order to achieve some personal advantage or advantage for another person or organisation”.

It is possible that conduct can constitute both fraud and corruption.

While not an exhaustive list, examples of the types of conduct that may constitute fraud include:

  • Theft
  • Misuse of Commonwealth credit cards
  • Falsifying your timesheet
  • Obtaining leave and related entitlements that you were not entitled to
  • Misuse of Commonwealth assets, equipment or facilities
  • Misuse of information and communications technologies
  • Unlawful use of, or obtaining property, equipment, material or services
  • Forging a medical certificate or other related official documents
  • Wrongfully using Commonwealth information or intellectual property

While not an exhaustive list, examples of the types of conduct that may constitute corruption include:

  • Bribery, collusion, nepotism or cronyism
  • Obtaining, offering or soliciting secret commissions, kickbacks or gratuities
  • Manipulating a corporate process for personal gain
  • Engaging in a conflict of interest where it is known to be improper and/or against an ASD policy

Reporting fraud and corruption to ASD

Fraud and corruption control is critical to ensuring the integrity of ASD’s reputation, the confidence of the public, and appropriate public resource use to achieve ASD’s purposes.

If you suspect or are aware of any fraudulent or corrupt conduct by ASD staff or contractors, please use the below online Fraud and Corruption Reporting Form to report it.

Reports are treated as strictly confidential.

Current and former ASD staff and contractors can also make a public interest disclosure (PID) regarding suspected serious wrongdoing in the organisation.

Reporting corruption to the National Anti-Corruption Commission

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) operates independently from government and has broad jurisdiction to investigate suspected serious or systemic corrupt conduct across the Commonwealth public sector.

Public trust is vital to the work of ASD and the broader public sector, and the NACC assists in strengthening standards of integrity across all of government.

Any person (including members of the public and public officials) can voluntarily refer a corruption issue, or provide information about a corruption issue, to the NACC. To help you understand your rights and obligations regarding corruption reporting, please visit the NACC website.

For further information on how to report fraud against you, the Australian Government, or an individual, private business or a state or territory government entity, please visit counterfraud.gov.au.

Fraud and Corruption Reporting Form

Please provide as much information as possible.

If we are unable to contact you and obtain further information, please be aware that our ability to respond to the allegation may be limited.

Your details and any information provided will be treated as strictly confidential.

Reporter details (optional)

Person/s being reported

Please provide names, phone numbers, addresses etc.

Report details

Please include as much detail as possible (dates, times, places etc)
Did anyone else observe the alleged activity?
Are any external parties involved?
Is there any relevant support documentation for the allegation?
Do not attempt to collect evidence yourself, unless it is already in your possession.
Have you raised your concerns with anyone else?
Are you prepared to give a statement to support the allegation?
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