Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption
We manage the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre which strengthens Commonwealth counter fraud capabilities.
Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre
The Australian Government takes fraud and corruption seriously and expects that all Commonwealth officials will take steps to prevent and manage these risks. The Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre in the Attorney-General’s Department was established on 1 July 2019 to strengthen the counter-fraud arrangements across the Commonwealth. We partner with domestic and international experts to:
- equip Commonwealth entities with leading practice guidance and tools to strengthen their counter fraud capability
- enable Commonwealth entities to respond to emerging issues, connect, collaborate and share data and information
- empower Commonwealth entities with a better evidence base and understanding of fraud so they can influence positive change.
Visit the Counter Fraud website
The Counter Fraud website provides entities with tools and guidance to counter fraud in Australia. On the site you can:
- learn more about the work of the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre
- discover different types of fraudsters
- learn about your obligations
- explore how fraud impacts people, industries, entities, services and the environment.
- access tools and guidance to build your counter fraud capability.
Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework
The Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework 2024 supports Commonwealth entities to effectively manage the risks of fraud and corruption. The framework consists of 3 parts:
- The Fraud and Corruption Rule (Section 10 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Rule 2014) provides the legislative basis for the Commonwealth’s fraud and corruption control arrangements.
- The Fraud and Corruption Policy sets out the key procedural requirements for accountable authorities of non-corporate Commonwealth entities (NCEs) to establish and maintain an appropriate system of fraud and corruption control for their entity.
- Fraud and Corruption Guidance (Resource Management Guide 201 - Preventing, detecting and dealing with fraud and corruption) provides more detailed guidance to assist officers who are responsible for fraud and corruption control within entities to implement the requirements of the Rule and the Policy.
The framework is focused on prevention, which is the most cost-effective way to minimise the risks of fraud and corruption. Prevention helps to avoid serious harms fraud and corruption causes for the public sector and those who rely on us.
Learn about the Fraud and Corruption Control Framework
Anti-corruption
Corruption has a corrosive impact on society. It undermines democracy and the rule of law, distorts market forces and paves the way for organised crime and terrorism.
Australia has a strong record of global, regional and domestic action to prevent and expose corrupt activity.
We play an active role in combating corruption. This includes:
- establishing the National Anti-Corruption Commission
- developing domestic policy on anti-corruption
- engaging in a range of international anti-corruption forums.
These forums are outlined in more detail below.
United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
- The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was ratified by Australia on 7 December 2005 and is the first binding global instrument that deals with corruption.
- A State Party to UNCAC must undergo a review of its implementation of key chapters of the convention periodically.
- Read a summary of Australia’s review processes.
- Australia’s implementation of Chapters II (Preventative Measures) and IV (Asset Recovery) was reviewed in 2018.
- Read the executive summary of the report on Australia’s implementation of Chapters II and IV of the UNCAC.
- Australia's implementation of Chapters III (Criminalisation & Law Enforcement) and IV (International Cooperation) of the UNCAC was reviewed in 2012. Australia was found to have effectively implemented these chapters.
- Read the executive summary of the report on Australia's implementation of Chapters III and IV of the UNCAC.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (OECD Anti-Bribery Convention)
- The OECD Anti-Bribery Convention was ratified by Australia on 18 October 1999
- Find out more about the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention on our foreign bribery page.
G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group
- G20 Leaders established the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) at the Toronto Summit in 2010.
- The G20 ACWG implements the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan and reports to G20 leaders. It is working to achieve the goals of the current G20 Anti-Corruption 2019–2021 Action Plan and to finalise the draft 2025 - 2027 Action Plan.
- The ACWG works collaboratively with other international organisations. These include the:
- OECD
- United Nations
- World Bank Group
- International Monetary Fund
- Financial Action Task Force
- Asian Development Bank.
- The ACWG also collaborates with G20-associated engagement groups that represent civil society, business and labour leaders, the research community and women.
- Each year, the G20 ACWG conducts accountability assessments and develops sets of high-level principles that correspond with the priorities in the group’s action plan, to set standards for integrity across different areas.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Working Group
- Find out more about the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Working Group on the APEC website.
Asian Development Bank OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for the Asia Pacific
- Find out more about the Asian Development Bank OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for the Asia Pacific on the OECD website.
Report fraud or corruption
In Australia there are several different bodies where you can report fraud or incidents of suspected fraud.
Find out more about how to report fraud on the report fraud page of the Counter Fraud website.
We have no investigatory role and cannot investigate fraud, except for instances of fraud against our department.
National Anti-Corruption Commission
The National Anti-Corruption Commission commenced operations on 1 July 2023. The commission is an independent agency established to detect, investigate and report on serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector.
If you are concerned about potential corrupt conduct in the Commonwealth public sector, you may wish to refer your matter to the Commission.
For more information, including how to make a referral, visit the National Anti-Corruption Commission website or call 1300 489 844.