Whistleblowing

What is whistleblowing? 

Whistleblowing is a report made by someone in an organisation with information about corrupt, fraudulent, dishonest or illegal activity (serious wrongdoing) that has occurred or is occurring in the organisation. A person who makes such a report is called a whistleblower.

Public interest disclosures are a form of whistleblowing. The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (NSW) (the PID Act) provides whistleblower protection for public officials and others who report wrongdoing. Under the PID Act, UTS staff and affiliates (excluding consultants) are considered public officials and are provided whistleblower protections when making a public interest disclosure.

There are 3 categories of public interest disclosures: voluntary, mandatory and witness. While most public interest disclosures at UTS are voluntary, all types of disclosures will be received and investigated by the university.

A report is a voluntary public interest disclosure if it has the following 5 features:

1. it is made by a public official
2. it is made to a person who can receive a voluntary public interest disclosure
3. the public official honestly and reasonably believes that the information they are providing shows, or tends to show, serious wrongdoing
4. the report was made verbally or in writing, and
5. the report is voluntary.

The New South Wales Ombudsman provides guidelines and information on public interest disclosures (refer NSW Ombudsman: Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022).

Visit Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosures Policy

What is serious wrongdoing? 

Serious wrongdoing is defined in the Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosures Policy. It can include corrupt conduct, serious maladministration, government information contravention, a privacy contravention and/or a serious and substantial waste of public money.

The New South Wales Ombudsman provides guidelines and information on types of serious wrongdoing (refer NSW Ombudsman: Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022).

Why report serious wrongdoing? 

UTS has a speak up culture. If you are aware of any serious wrongdoing at UTS you are encouraged to come forward.

UTS staff and affiliates must act with integrity at all times. This is written into our Code of Conduct, the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy and the Fraud and Corruption Prevention Policy. These are mandatory for UTS staff and affiliates.

How do I report serious wrongdoing?

You should report wrongdoing to a supervisor or a UTS disclosure officer (listed in Appendix 1 of the Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosures Policy).

Reports can be made in writing or verbally.

A public interest disclosure can also be made anonymously.

What if I am not sure if my report is a public interest disclosure?

You are encouraged to report all serious wrongdoing you become aware of. UTS is committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity and will ensure your report is handled appropriately.

If your report is a public interest disclosure, UTS will manage it under the Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosures Policy. If it is not a public interest disclosure, we will manage it in line with our other policies and procedures.

Who should I talk to if I have questions or concerns?

You can talk to your supervisor or contact one of the disclosure officers (listed in Appendix 1 of the policy) if you need more information or have any concerns about speaking up.

How will I be protected if I report serious wrongdoing?

If you make a public interest disclosure, you will be provided with special protections under the PID Act, including protection from detrimental action, for example, bullying, harassment or dismissal. UTS will also manage your report confidentially and provide you with a disclosure protection plan.

You may also receive other support as outlined in the Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosures Policy and the Public Interest Disclosures Management Procedure.

Can I request a review of decisions related to a report?

You may request an internal review where a decision is made by UTS:

1. that your report does not qualify as a public interest disclosure
2. that your report will not be investigated, or
3. where an investigation into a report will be ended.

Requests for internal review are outlined in the Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosures Policy.

Public interest disclosures and fraud prevention training

Training packages have been developed by the NSW Ombudsman. These will be made available via NEO (also accessible via Staff Connect). This training will be for supervisors with people management responsibilities, and for public interest disclosure officers. Fraud and corruption prevention training, developed in consultation with ICAC, will be made available for all staff. 

Queries about any training available via NEO should be submitted to HRclientservices@uts.edu.au.