Vetting is a process by which the ICAC undertakes background checks to assess a person's suitability for employment. The aim of vetting is three-fold:
- to confirm your identification
- to look at whether any association you have gives rise to a conflict of interest, and
- to ascertain whether there are any vulnerable aspects of your life that improper pressure could be applied to.
The ICAC Act 1988 requires all officers who work at the Commission to undergo vetting; this includes persons who are permanent, temporary, seconded, contracted or consultants, as well as companies. Vetting is not done at random; it is a legal requirement of the ICAC Act. The Commission and its officers must be seen to be above and beyond reproach.
The security vetting package is a booklet of forms including:
- Personal particulars
- Statement of financial interests
- Statutory declarations
- Conflict of Interests
- Table of Associations
If you are notified following interview that you are a preferred applicant, the vetting package has to be completed, signed and returned to the Commission for the vetting process to commence.
What is a conflict of interest?
A conflict of interest may arise from encountering information about somebody/something that a person has a personal interest in. It may be about somebody whom they know or about a company/activity with whom they have a direct involvement with or financial interest in. If a person continued to work on the information without declaring their interest/association, questions may arise as to the appropriateness and objectivity of their actions. Therefore, a person coming across such information would need to bring it to the attention of the Commission and provide details about their association and involvement. An independent decision would then be made as to whether it represented a conflict of interest.
Does a criminal conviction rule me out?
No. Whether or not you (or others that you associate with) have a criminal conviction does not mean that you cannot work at the ICAC. The Commission's vetting is based on the person being vetted demonstrating that they are honest and trustworthy. All matters are looked at on a case-by-case basis and an assessment of the person's suitability is based on all information at hand; everything is taken into consideration.
Privacy, FOI, EEO & Anti-discrimination laws
The Privacy Act, Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, anti-discrimination laws and Equal Employment Opportunity principles are observed and applied during the vetting process.