Resources for Public Officers

The University is a Public Authority under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2012 (SA) (the ICAC Act) and the Ombudsman Act 1972 (SA).

Public Officers are employees (even if seconded to another organisation), officers of the University, titleholders, volunteers, consultants or contractors providing services to the University.

Responsibilities of Public Officers

The decisions and conduct of Public Officers must always be ethical and lawful and be based on sound and defensible principles. Public Officers should also be pro-active in protecting the integrity of the University's public administration processes by reporting breaches of duties by other public officers.

Public Officers are expected to report intentional and serious misconduct or maladministration in public administration to an integrity agency - either the Office for Public Integrity (OPI) or to the Ombudsman SA.

Where a Public Officer forms a reasonable suspicion that corruption may have occurred, they have a mandatory obligation to report that conduct as soon as practicable. The ICAC Act requires Public Officers to report matters they reasonably suspect to involve corruption in public administration to the OPI. Reports of corruption will be referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption for investigation and further action.

Guidance for Public Officers

The University has developed Guidelines to assist Public Officers meet their reporting obligations and to understand the University’s responsibilities as a public authority.

The OPI and the Ombudsman have published Directions and Guidelines to assist Public Officers understand and properly respond to their obligations.

Reports by Public Officers can be made online.

Make a report to the OPI

Make a complaint to the Ombudsman

    Your obligation as a Public Officer to make a report to an integrity agency does not replace any other obligation to report or any internal policy or procedure – it sits alongside them.

    If you become aware of conduct that should be reported under an internal University policy or procedure, you should also consider whether the nature of the conduct is something that should be reported to the OPI or the Ombudsman.

    What can happen if I don't comply?

    There are penalties under the ICAC Act for:

    • preventing or hindering someone from making a complaint
    • making false or misleading statements or reports
    • directly or indirectly disclosing information about a complaint or investigation without formal authorisation from ICAC
    • facilitating the publication of information about a complaint or investigation without formal authorisation from ICAC.

    Further information