Report wrongdoing
Wrongdoing includes fraud, corruption, maladministration, serious waste of funds as well as other criminal conduct.
The University recognises the valuable contribution made by those who report wrongdoing and encourages those who are aware of, or suspect it, to speak up. Reports will remain confidential and can be made anonymously.
Reporting your concerns
UNSW supports a safe speak-up culture and is committed to providing a range of reporting pathways for you to notify us of potential wrongdoing, quickly, and confidentially.
Step 1 - What is wrongdoing?
Wrongdoing is a broad term that includes a wide range of behaviours. UNSW's Report Wrongdoing Policy and Procedure has been designed to address matters of: “misconduct, or an improper state of affairs or circumstances,” as described in Australia’s new whistleblowing legislation.
Examples of wrongdoing include;
- Illegal conduct
- Corrupt Conduct (including fraud, conflict of interest)
- Misconduct (including negligence, breach of trust)
- Serious maladministration
- Serious or substantial waste of public money
- Failure to comply with GIPA Act 2009
- Improper state of affairs or circumstances related to UNSW
- Conduct that represents a danger to the public or the financial system
- Conduct that constitutes an offence under a law of the Commonwealth punishable by a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more
If you have seen, or have reasonable grounds to suspect, wrongdoing is occurring at UNSW, report it.
Helpful documents
Step 2 - Who can make a report of wrongdoing?
Anyone can make a report of wrongdoing, and the University encourages those who are aware of, or suspect, wrongdoing to speak up.
How and where you report wrongdoing will depending on whether you are a student, staff or a member of the public.
Staff
Staff, former staff, a relative or dependent of a current or former staff member, a supplier of goods or services to UNSW can report in Step 3 below
Member of the public
If you are a member of the public you can also make a report of wrongdoing at UNSW through Step 3 below
Step 3 - Lodge a complaint
You can make a confidential and anonymous report with Your Call the independent external service provider contracted by the University to receive reports.
- Online: You can lodge a report at any time online using the Organisation ID: UNSW.
- By phone: Call 1300 790 228 between 9.00 a.m. and 12.00 a.m. (midnight) Monday to Friday (AEST) except public holidays.
- By email: You can make a report to one of the UNSW Eligible Recipients (see list below) or via the email address: SpeakUp@unsw.edu.au
If you are thinking of making a report of wrongdoing and wish to remain anonymous, we encourage you to use the Your Call service. Alternatively, we recommend that you create a separate, non-identifiable email address for communicating with the University.
Where an eligible report of wrongdoing is made, we are obliged to keep your identity confidential, unless you have agreed in writing to have your identity disclosed or it is legally permissible to disclose it.
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'Eligible Recipients' are people who a report may be made to. They include:
- The Chancellor and any member of the Council of the University
- The President and Vice Chancellor of the University
- Any member of the University’s Management Board and/or Pro-Vice Chancellors
- The University’s Director, Internal Audit or a member of an internal audit team conducting an audit on behalf of the Director, Internal Audit
- The University’s General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel
- The Rector of UNSW Canberra
- A Dean at the University
If you an Eligible Recipient, information and support can be found on the Conduct & Integrity Office portal.
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When a report is received, the Disclosures Coordinator, with the assistance of the Disclosures Manager, will carefully assess the information provided to decide the best course of action to take.
In the event of an investigation, we will determine:
- The nature and scope of the initial investigation
- Who will conduct the initial investigation
- The nature of any technical, financial or legal advice that may be required
- An expected timeframe for the initial investigation (having regard to the level of risk, nature of the allegations etc)
The process will be carried out in a constructive, impartial and lawful way. Every effort will be made to be just and fair to all concerned. Investigations will remain confidential. Where appropriate, UNSW will notify the discloser of the progress and outcome of the investigation.
Helpful information
Conduct & integrity at UNSW
UNSW holds its students and staff to the highest of standards. Here you can find out more about the standards enforced at UNSW and what to do if you suspect a breach of any of these codes has occurred.
Contract cheating
Contract cheating is when a student engages another person to complete work for them, and then submits the work as their own, regardless if money was paid or not.
Research integrity
UNSW expects the highest standards of integrity across all aspects of research conducted UNSW researchers. Here are some resources to assist you in meeting these standards.