Corruption in Australia

Corruption can take many forms, and can distort how public policy is made or implemented. There are various agencies involved in combating corruption in Australia, each with different responsibilities. Australia became a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2005. While Australia is a wealthy democracy, its ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index from Transparency International, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector, slipped from 7th place in 2012, when the current form of the Index was instituted, to as low as 18th place in 2021. Australia ranked 10th in 2024. Additionally, there is a public perception that corruption in Australia is increasing. All states have broad-based anti-corruption agencies, and a national anti-corruption commission has been operational since July 2023.

Protections for whistleblowers are weak in Australia, although public sector whistleblowing reforms have been implemented by the Albanese Government to protect and support whistleblowers, as well as the proposed establishment of a new Whistleblower Ombudsman.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission, often shortened to the NACC, is an independent federal Australian agency that was created under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022.

The commission is designed to combat corrupt conduct from public officials employed in the Australian Public Service (APS), including politicians and civil servants.

It is independent of government and has the power to initiate its own investigations. It can also receive tip-offs from whistleblowers and the public.

The NACC replaced the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity and began operations on 1 July 2023.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was established in 1989 to improve the integrity of the public service. ICAC is an independent body that is non-political, and that does not have a government minister in charge of its operations. The ICAC holds a large amount of investigative powers including listening devices and telephone interception.

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) is an independent statutory body that investigates and aims to reduce the amount of corruption across the public sector. It also investigates other serious crimes including money laundering, fraud and homicide. Its powers include the ability to call witnesses to hearings, and require individuals to produce evidence. The CCC can give recommendations to courts, but cannot charge individuals with corruptions or crimes. It was established on 1 January 2002.