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Report corruption or misconduct

There are two main ways to tell IBAC about public sector corruption or police misconduct.

Make a complaint

Make a complaint

A formal way to notify IBAC of public sector corruption or police misconduct. A complaint should detail the alleged conduct, including who was involved, what occurred, where and when, and may include supporting documentation.

  • Complaints can be anonymous.
  • Complaints received are assessed to determine if they are public interest disclosures.
  • Complaints may be investigated by IBAC, referred to another agency or dismissed. Learn more about possible complaint outcomes.
  • If you leave contact details, IBAC may contact you seeking further information. IBAC will inform you of the outcome of your complaint, normally within 60 days. 






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Provide information

You can give IBAC information about public sector corruption or police misconduct without making a formal complaint. Information you provide may assist with investigations or corruption prevention initiatives. This form is for people who do not want to make a complaint or public interest disclosure, but want to share information with IBAC.

  • You can provide information anonymously.
  • Provide as little or as much information as you have.
  • If you leave contact details, IBAC may contact you about your information.
  • IBAC considers information reports to determine if they are public interest disclosures.
  • No feedback will be provided on the progress or outcomes of the information you’ve provided.




If you need help or want to speak with us in person, please call 1300 735 135.

Complaints must be provided in writing and are not accepted over the phone. Use the online complaint form or other reporting methods.

Please note: IBAC is not a complaints resolution body.

Our service charter explains what to expect when you make a complaint to IBAC.

Under the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011 a person may make a complaint to IBAC about conduct they believe may be corrupt conduct. IBAC must dismiss, investigate or refer complaints received.

What is corruption or misconduct?

IBAC accepts complaints and information about:

The definitions at these links will help you understand what public sector corruption or police misconduct is, and what IBAC will investigate.

If your complaint or information isn't about public sector corruption or police misconduct, find out which agency you should contact.

Do you have to notify IBAC?

All heads of public sector bodies must notify IBAC of suspected corrupt conduct using the mandatory notification form. Public sector bodies that can receive public interest disclosures must also notify IBAC of potential public interest disclosures.

You will be protected

IBAC handles your information and personal details carefully and in accordance with relevant legislation. If you are still concerned about your privacy, you can choose to make a complaint or provide information anonymously.

Find out more about your privacy options and public interest disclosures.

What is a public interest disclosure?

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 encourages people to report improper conduct involving public officers and/or public organisations. This is known as a public interest disclosure (sometimes referred to as a ‘whistleblower’ complaint).

Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, your identity can be kept confidential and you can be protected from possible consequences such as bullying, harassment and job loss. This is called ‘detrimental action’.

Sometimes information provided to IBAC via the 'Provide Information' form is determined to be a public interest disclosure. If this is the case, IBAC will contact you via the details you have provided to explain what this means and provide you with the opportunity to consider options for the treatment of your information. Please see our factsheet on Public interest disclosures for more about what this means for you.

Who can make a public interest disclosure?

Any person or group of people can make a public interest disclosure. They can be an employee of a public body, a contractor or tenderer, a client or a member of the public.

A company or business cannot make a public interest disclosure, but its officers or employees can.

What can public interest disclosures be made about?

Public interest disclosure can be made about:

  • improper conduct by a public body, public officer or person
  • detrimental action taken by a public body or public officer against a person in reprisal for the making of a public interest disclosure.

Improper conduct includes:

  • corrupt conduct
  • conduct that would be a criminal offence
  • serious professional misconduct
  • dishonest performance of public functions
  • intentional or reckless breach of public trust
  • intentional or reckless misuse of information or material acquired in the course of the performance of the functions of the public officer or public body
  • a substantial mismanagement of public resources
  • a substantial risk to the health or safety of one or more persons
  • a substantial risk to the environment
  • conduct of any person that adversely affects the honest performance of a public body or public officer or that is intended to adversely affect the effective performance of a public body or public officer for a specified benefit, or conduct that constitutes a conspiracy or attempt to engage in improper conduct.

Improper conduct does not include conduct which is trivial.

Detrimental action includes:

  • action causing injury, loss or damage
  • intimidation or harassment
  • discrimination, disadvantage or adverse treatment in relation to a person’s employment, career, profession, trade or business, including the taking of disciplinary action
  • inciting or permitting someone else to take the above action.

Opting out of making a public interest disclosure

If we determine your information or complaint is a public interest disclosure, you may still opt-out of making a public interest disclosure.

Under section 19 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act you can choose to stop your information or complaint from being treated or considered as a public interest disclosure by writing to IBAC or by formally stating in your information report or complaint that your information or complaint is not a public interest disclosure.

Written notification must be made within 28 days of making a disclosure.

Please note: if a person decides that they do not wish to have their information or complaint treated as a public interest disclosure, and formally request to opt-out, certain protections will not apply to them. To better understand what this means for you, see public interest disclosures, contact IBAC on 1300 735 135, or seek your own legal advice.

Other reporting methods

If you are unable to complete IBAC's online form, please download the complaint form in PDF or Word/DOCX format, complete and return by email or postal mail. Instructions are provided in the form.

For further information, please contact 1300 735 135. 

Services for people with a hearing or speech impairment

If you have a hearing or speech impairment that makes it difficult to contact us directly, please contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS):

  1. TTY users phone 1800 555 677 then ask for 1300 735 135.
  2. Speak and Listen users phone 1800 555 727 then ask for 1300 735 135.
  3. Internet relay users connect to the National Relay Service (NRS) and ask for 1300 735 135.

Services for people who need an interpreter or translations

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) has interpreters in more than 120 languages and dialects.

To use this service please phone either:

  • us on 1300 735 135 or
  • TIS directly on 131 450

Information in other languages

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