When we receive an allegation, our team assesses the details in the report. We determine whether the report is within our jurisdiction and, if it is, if the report raises a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct. If it does, we also consider whether the conduct meets the level of serious or systemic corrupt conduct.
We can either dismiss, refer or investigate a corruption report, or a mandatory corruption notification (section 70, Integrity Commission Act 2018).
The assessment life cycle looks like:
- Allegation received
The reporter (voluntary or mandatory) submits an allegation of corrupt conduct to us. - Allocation and assessment
The corruption report is allocated to an assessment officer. They assess the report, and any material provided. The assessment officer may contact the reporter to seek further information if required. The assessment officer may also obtain additional information from other sources to support the assessment. - Report
The information is organised in a comprehensive report. The report considers the allegation in depth, as well as the jurisdiction. This is then assessed to see whether the allegation fits our definition of corruption, or not. - Recommendation
The report concludes with a recommendation to dismiss, refer to another agency, or investigate the allegation. The report is provided to a delegated decision-maker or our Assessment Panel who consider the information in-depth. - Decision
The delegated decision-maker considers the recommendation and decides to dismiss, refer or investigate. For disclosable conduct matters assessed under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012, an allegation must be investigated by us or another agency if it is determined to be about disclosable conduct and accepted as a public interest disclosure. - Implementation
The decision is then implemented. This includes letting the reporter know the outcome of their allegation. If it is dismissed, they will be provided with reasons why. If the matter is referred, relevant information is shared with the referral agency. Finally, if the allegation proceeds to an investigation, our investigators begin their process.