Policy Statement
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will take all reasonable measures to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud and corruption relating to the department, including by:
- maintaining fraud and corruption risk assessments, and promoting awareness of risks
- developing and implementing control plans to deal with fraud and corruption risks
- monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of fraud and corruption controls
- maintaining governance arrangements to oversee and manage risks of fraud and corruption
- educating the workforce to build a culture of integrity
- requiring all DFAT staff and delivery partners to uphold their respective codes of conduct
- having appropriate mechanisms for the prevention and detection of fraud and corruption
- assessing and, where appropriate, investigating all allegations of fraud and corruption
- where appropriate, referring matters to relevant authorities. Pursuing appropriate civil or administrative remedies, or prosecution. Seeking to recover losses where appropriate.
With zero tolerance for inaction on fraud and corruption, DFAT requires proactive reporting and transparency. We also have zero tolerance for reprisals against people who report wrongdoing.
Control Framework
DFAT's Fraud and Corruption Control Framework outlines the department's approach for managing the risks of fraud and corruption.
The framework is available to all DFAT staff and delivery partners to ensure they understand their obligations to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud and corruption. It outlines how to report suspected fraudulent or corruption activity, and DFAT's governance arrangements for managing fraud and corruption risks.
DFAT's Fraud and Corruption Control Framework 2025
Toolkit for Service Providers and Funding Recipients
DFAT has robust systems and procedures in place to protect public money and property from fraud and corruption. DFAT's delivery partners also play a critical role in minimising exposure of Australian funding to fraud and corruption. The Fraud and Corruption Control Toolkit for Service Providers and Funding Recipients articulates DFAT's requirements and expectations it has of its delivery partners who manage and deliver programs and projects on behalf of DFAT.
Fraud and Corruption Control Toolkit for Service Providers and Funding Recipients
Reporting fraud and corruption
The department takes all allegations of fraud and corruption seriously and manages all allegations in a confidential, prompt, and professional manner.
How to lodge a report
All DFAT staff (including contractors), delivery partners, and members of the public can report suspected or detected fraud and/or corruption using the online referral form.
Alternatively, you can provide information by emailing the relevant area below:
| Who could be involved in the fraud or corruption? | Where to report: |
|---|---|
| DFAT staff, including LES staff | Employee Conduct and Ethics Section |
| Passports | Passport Fraud and Compliance Section |
| All other areas, including DFAT partners, contractors, and subcontractors | Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Section |
| Not sure what type of fraud or corruption it is? |
Contact us Email: fraud.corruption@dfat.gov.au By Post: |
What information should I report?
The more information and specific details you can provide about the allegation, the easier it will be for us to assess.
Reports can be made anonymously, and there are protections in place for whistle-blowers and anyone reporting corrupt conduct.
You are encouraged to provide the following:
- Who is involved? Include as much detail as you can such as the name of the person or organisation, addresses and phone numbers.
- What fraud or corruption you think has occurred. Include how, when and where it occurred.
- Your contact details (optional).
What will happen next?
Your information will be assessed and, where appropriate, investigated. DFAT will endeavour to reply to your allegations. However, feedback may not always be provided.
Protection against reprisals
DFAT values proactive reporting and transparency, with zero tolerance for reprisals against reporting officers.
People who report fraud and corruption are afforded protections against reprisals when making a disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosures Act or reporting suspected corruption under the NACC Act.
DFAT takes every allegation of reprisal seriously, and procedures are in place to ensure allegations of reprisals are recorded and responded to appropriately. If any person who makes a fraud or corruption related disclosure considers they have been victimised, discriminated against, or otherwise adversely affected because of the disclosure (or suspected or planned disclosure), this can be reported through the Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Section (fraud.corruption@dfat.gov.au) or through DFAT's Public Interest Disclosure procedures (PID@dfat.gov.au).
Privacy notification
Personal information being collected
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will collect any personal information related to any individual or group provided within reported allegations of fraud submitted to the department. Referrals should only provide personal information that is relevant to the allegation that is being made.
This may include:
- names
- email addresses
- phone numbers
- location and travel information
- employment information, including employer names and other details
- job title.
DFAT will also collect any other sensitive information that is provided. This may include:
- information about an individual's criminal record
- health information
- membership of a political association
- racial or ethnic origin
- political opinions
- religious beliefs or affiliations
- philosophical beliefsl
- membership of a political association, professional or trade association or union
- sexual orientation or practices.
Purpose of collection, use and disclosure
DFAT collects, uses and discloses any personal information that you provide in your report for the purpose of assessing and/or investigating the allegation and as necessary to implement corrective measures. DFAT may pursue legal or non-compliance action to manage the risk of fraud and corruption against DFAT and the Australian Government, and as otherwise authorised by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) (Purpose). To this end, we may contact you about the information you have provided.
Consequences for not providing information requested
If you do not provide personal information that is material and relevant to the investigation, DFAT may be unable to investigate fully, or at all, the circumstances you have reported.
Other entities to whom we usually disclose personal information
DFAT may disclose the information you provide to other entities, bodies or persons for the Purpose. This may include disclosing the information to:
- contractors engaged by DFAT
- the Australian Federal Police, local authorities
- other enforcement bodies or appropriate authorities such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Overseas disclosures
When lodging an allegation you acknowledge that DFAT may disclose the personal information contained within the report to an overseas recipient (for example, if the allegation concerns an overseas post or DFAT programs managed overseas) and that if we do, we will not ensure that the recipient does not breach the Privacy Act. As a result, we will not be liable for any breach of the Privacy Act by the overseas recipient, and you will not be able to seek redress under that law.
To the greatest extent possible, DFAT will not provide information that identifies you when disclosing the allegation, as it is DFAT's practice to keep your identity confidential.
Privacy Policy
DFAT's Privacy Policy contains important information including how you can access and seek correction of personal information we hold about you; how to make a privacy complaint; and how we will handle such a complaint. If you have any queries about how we manage your personal information, please contact our Privacy Team at privacy@dfat.gov.au.
Acknowledgement and consent
When submitting a report you must acknowledge that you have read and understood the Privacy Notice and agree to DFAT managing the personal information as set out in the Privacy Notice.
Submitting an allegation form, means you:
- acknowledge that Australian Privacy Principle 8.1 will not apply to a disclosure of personal information by DFAT to any overseas recipient listed in this Privacy Notice
- consent to DFAT disclosing your personal information to the overseas recipients listed in this Privacy Notice for any of the purposes set out in this Privacy Notice
- represent and warrant that if you supply personal information to DFAT about another person, who is not the subject of the alleged fraud that you are reporting, you are authorised to do so and that the relevant person has consented to the disclosure to DFAT, and to our collection, use and disclosure of that information, for any of the purposes set out in this Privacy Notice.
Other resources and information
Refer to the NACC website for further information on corruption: Prevention and education resources
Refer to the Attorney General's Department webpage for fact sheets on corruption: NACC downloadable resources