The ICAC's jurisdiction

The ICAC can investigate allegations that:

• a NSW public official improperly used, or tried to improperly use, the knowledge, power or resources of his or her position for personal gain or the advantage of others
• a NSW public official dishonestly exercised his or her official functions, or improperly exercised his or her official functions in a partial manner, breached public trust or misused information or material acquired during the course of his or her official functions
• a member of the public influenced, or tried to influence, a NSW public official to use his or her position in a way that affected the probity of the public official's exercise of functions
• a member of the public engaged in conduct that could involve one of the matters set out in section 8(2A) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 where such conduct impairs, or could impair, public confidence in public administration
• have been referred by the NSW Electoral Commission.

The ICAC can investigate the following NSW public sector organisations:

• government departments and statutory authorities
• public schools, colleges and universities
• public hospitals and area health services
• local councils
• NSW Parliament, including politicians
• NSW judiciary (magistrates and judges)

Matters outside the jurisdiction of the ICAC

For matters that relate to:

• the NSW Police Force – contact the police Customer Assistance Unit initially. Serious complaints about police misconduct should be referred to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission

• the NSW Crime Commission – contact the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission

• federal government agencies – contact the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity or the Commonwealth Ombudsman    

• private sector or other non-government organisations - contact:
  • the NSW Office of Fair Trading
  • the relevant industry regulator, or
  • the relevant industry ombudsman.  

Other relevant complaint-handling agencies in NSW

For matters that relate to:

• NSW healthcare providers – contact the Health Care Complaints Commission

• the NSW legal system, contact
  • the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner for complaints about solicitors or barristers
  • the Judicial Commission of NSW for complaints about judges and magistrates

• NSW local councils – contact the NSW Ombudsman or the NSW Office of Local Government Investigations and Review Branch

• unlawful discrimination in a public sector agency – contact the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board

• violations of privacy – contact the Information and Privacy Commission of NSW

• the administration of public funds or resources – contact the Audit Office of NSW.