International Anti-Corruption Day – Get to know the NACC

On International Anti-Corruption Day – 9 December – we recognise that CPSU members have a shared commitment to serving the public with honesty, fairness and transparency. Building public trust and addressing and preventing integrity failures in the APS and Commonwealth public sector, are critical issues for CPSU members.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is the newest addition to the Commonwealth integrity system. An independent agency, it is one of the guardrail institutions that ensures public officials exercise public power lawfully, ethically, in the public interest – and free from corruption.

The NACC mission is to enhance integrity in the Commonwealth public sector by deterring, detecting and preventing corrupt conduct involving Commonwealth public officials through education, monitoring, investigation, reporting and referral.

Who can the NACC investigate?

Most CPSU members fall within the NACC’s jurisdiction. Under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 , all APS employees are ‘public officials’. This includes not only all ongoing, non-ongoing and casual APS employees, but any service providers or individuals contracted by a Commonwealth agency. It also includes members and senators of the Australian Parliament, including ministers and their staffers.

What does the NACC investigate?

The NACC can look into serious or systemic corrupt conduct by a public official, or by any person who plans to, or causes, a public official to act other than honestly or impartially in their official role – for example, through coercion, bribery or threats.

Not everything is corruption, and not every workplace issue is for the NACC. Suspected misconduct, poor administration, bullying or HR matters should still be handled through normal agency or union processes.

Key takeaways for CPSU members

  • Most CPSU members are in the NACC’s jurisdiction. All APS employees, and anyone contracted by a Commonwealth agency, are ‘public officials’ under the NACC Act.
  • Anyone can make a referral to the NACC. If you reasonably suspect serious or systemic corruption, you can make a referral directly to the Commission. You don’t need to be certain something has occurred – if you have serious concerns, the NACC can assess them.
  • Protections are in place. The NACC Act provides protections for whistleblowers, witnesses, and anyone who makes a referral in good faith.

Resources and support

Understanding your obligations — and your options — is empowering. The NACC website includes clear guidance on corruption risks , how to make a referral , and what to expect if you do .

On this International Anti-Corruption Day, get to know the NACC .

Watch ‘ Introduction to the NACC’ for a quick overview.

 

🔗 Learn more: visit the NACC at nacc.gov.au