Blowing the whistle about corruption in NSW
Providing information about alleged corrupt conduct is commonly known as "blowing the whistle".
What is a whistleblower?
A whistleblower is a person who provides information and exposes corrupt
conduct within a public sector organisation in the hope of stopping it.
In NSW, a public official who reports “serious wrongdoing” in good faith to the ICAC is protected by law from reprisal by way of “detrimental action”.
Protections for whistleblowers
Allegations of corrupt conduct made to the ICAC may attract the protection of
the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 ("the ICAC Act"), the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 ("the PID Act") and other
legislation. For more information go to Protections
for complainants.
ICAC Act protection
The ICAC Act protects individuals who provide the ICAC with information
about suspected corrupt conduct or assist it in other ways. The ICAC Act:
- protects people who are not public officials
- protects people who are public officials
- makes it a crime to victimise a person in reprisal for the person giving the
ICAC information or assisting it in other ways. This includes protection
against dismissal or disadvantage to anyone in their employment.
The ICAC encourages individuals to contact it on 02 8281 5999 or 1800 463 909
to discuss concerns about protection.
PID Act protection
The PID Act protects people who report
public sector wrongdoing under certain circumstances.
If unsure, ask the ICAC for assistance.
If you wish to blow the whistle about corrupt conduct, the ICAC will offer
assistance and advice about your matter, including how you are protected and what
will happen with the information you provide.
Call the ICAC
02 8281 5999
1800 463 909 (toll free for callers outside of metropolitan Sydney)