Fact sheets

Overview of the NACC

The NACC's 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.

See: Overview of the NACC – fact sheet.

What is corrupt conduct?

This fact sheet describes the 4 types of corrupt conduct under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (Cth).

See: What is corrupt conduct – fact sheet.

What is serious or systemic corrupt conduct

The NACC investigates serious or systemic corrupt conduct involving Commonwealth public officials. Agency heads must refer suspected corrupt conduct in their agency to the NACC if they suspect it could involve corrupt conduct that is serious or systemic.

See: What is serious or systemic corrupt conduct – fact sheet.

What can the NACC investigate?

The NACC investigates issues of serious or systemic corrupt conduct in the Commonwealth public sector.

See: What can the NACC investigate – fact sheet.

The investigation process

If the decision is made that a referral to the NACC raises a corruption issue, the NACC then decides what to do with it.

See: The investigation process – fact sheet. 

Procedural fairness

Some provisions of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (Cth), as well as the general law and sound decision‑making, require that before forming or publishing findings, opinions or recommendations adverse to a person or agency, they be given an opportunity to address the adverse material.

See: Procedural fairness – fact sheet.

Protections for whistleblowers and witnesses

This fact sheet provides information on protections that exist under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (Cth).

See: Protections for whistleblowers and witnesses – fact sheet.

How the NACC assesses corruption issues

The NACC does not have to consider or respond to every referral it receives. The Commissioner can decide not to take any action in relation to a referral.

See: How the NACC assesses corruption issues – fact sheet.

Aligning with the NACC Act

The National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (Cth) requires agency heads to:

• refer corruption issues that could be serious or systemic to the NACC
• provide the NACC entry and/or access to agency information
  when directed by the NACC, undertake investigations into corruption issues and, if required, provide a report to the NACC on the investigation
• when directed by the NACC, stop taking action in relation to an investigation
• respond to any recommendations made by the NACC.

See: Aligning with the NACC Act – fact sheet.

Information for persons interacting with the NACC

This fact sheet provides information for people who have contact with the NACC about corruption issues. This includes people who have made a referral, been asked to provide information or attend an interview or hearing, or who have become aware the NACC is conducting an investigation that could affect their interests.

See: Information for persons interacting with the NACC – fact sheet.

Contracted service providers, consultants, grant recipients and the NACC

This fact sheet explains how service providers, consultants and grant recipients contracted by Commonwealth Government agencies are public officials and within the jurisdiction of the NACC.

See: Contracted service providers, consultants, grant recipients and the NACC – fact sheet.

Providing information to support assessments

This fact sheet supports Commonwealth agencies to respond to requests for information from the NACC during the assessment process. It clarifies obligations, protections, legal risk and considerations in relation to privacy law and secrecy provisions.

See: Providing information to support assessments – fact sheet.