Facilitation payments

The Australian Government recommends that individuals and companies make every effort to resist making facilitation payments. A growing body of research and the experiences of a growing number of major companies demonstrate that businesses can achieve net gains by refusing to make payments.

Such payments represent a serious business risk and are difficult to distinguish from bribes. The facilitation payment defence may not be available under the laws of foreign countries.

We acknowledge this can be a difficult position to take, with short-term risks for business, and that this difficulty is increased for smaller businesses that may feel they lack the bargaining power of major companies. However, we are committed to global efforts to reduce corruption and to supporting Australian businesses seeking to eliminate payments to officials.

Find out how to report foreign bribery

Find out about the facilitation payment defence.

Read the Bribery Prevention Network’s case study for business owners on how to identify and respond to a request for a facilitation payment.