Fact sheets

Overview of the NACC

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.

See: Overview of the NACC – fact sheet.

What is corrupt conduct?

There are 4 types of corrupt conduct under the NACC Act.

See: What is corrupt conduct – fact sheet.

What can the NACC investigate?

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

See: What can the NACC investigate – fact sheet.

The investigation process

If the decision is made that referral to the NACC raises a corruption issue, the Commission 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 (NACC Act), 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 page provides information on protections that exist under the NACC Act. 

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

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

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

See: Aligning with the NACC – fact sheet.

Information for persons interacting with the NACC

This fact sheet provides information for people who have contact with the Commission 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 Commission 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 National Anti-Corruption Commission (the Commission).

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

Providing information to support assessments

This factsheet supports Commonwealth agencies to respond to requests for information from the National Anti-Corruption Commission 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.