2 men meeting in a shadowy carpark.

Whistleblower Project

Doing right by those who call out the wrong

Want to know more?

Public officers are invited to attend an ICAC webinar on Friday 16 October 2026 (12 – 1pm ACDT) to hear more about the findings of the Whistleblower Project, including practical changes that can be implemented within their agencies. Register for the webinar.

In June 2026 the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) published the final report of its Whistleblower Project.

While the current whistleblower protection regime provides a level of protection, ICAC found areas that can be enhanced, simplified and strengthened.

ICAC has made 61 recommendations for change. This includes updates to legislation and actions that agencies can take now to better support whistleblowers and create a ‘speak up’ culture.

What is the Whistleblower Project?

ICAC undertook a 12-month Whistleblower Project to examine the adequacy of current arrangements to encourage, support and protect those who report wrongdoing and incompetence in public administration.

The project included a discussion paper consultation, two agency evaluations and a public forum that explored opportunities to strengthen South Australia's whistleblower framework.

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Evaluations of South Australia Police and the Department of Human Services

In September 2026, ICAC published the reports of evaluations into the Department of Human Services (DHS) and South Australia Police (SA Police). The evaluations focussed on how each agency receives and manages complaints concerning potential corruption, misconduct, or maladministration in public administration.

The evaluations found that both DHS and SA Police have established many effective and encouraging practices. However, they also identified a range of opportunities for practical improvements to how public sector agencies receive and manage whistleblower reports.

The findings have relevance beyond the two agencies involved in the evaluations. Some actions that agencies can take now include:

  • fostering a positive reporting culture, with leaders who set the tone from the top
  • integrating public interest disclosure information within internal policies and procedures, including clear and accessible information about how to make a report and to whom
  • acknowledging and celebrating whistleblowing (where appropriate)
  • providing clear and accurate information about the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 and reporting obligations
  • reviewing how reports are made, and who is authorised to receive reports
  • ensuring responsible officers are available at different levels and throughout the organisation
  • strengthening measures to protect the confidentiality of those who report concerns.

The evaluations highlight the need for clear systems and processes to make sure that whistleblower reports are handled appropriately from the moment they are received, alongside an organisational climate that encourages and facilitates whistleblowing.

DHS Evaluation

ICAC’s evaluation made 13 recommendations to build upon DHS’ PID framework and strengthen its internal whistleblower protections.

The evaluation found that DHS’ practices, policies and procedures contain many positive and promising features that support the reporting of suspected wrongdoing. It is evident that DHS accounts for its diverse and dispersed workforce when considering accessibility requirements for reporting mechanisms, education and awareness initiatives, communication, and feedback channels.

Throughout the evaluation, DHS demonstrated a commitment to upholding the integrity of its workforce and to continuous improvement.

SA Police Evaluation

ICAC’s evaluation made 16 recommendations to support continued improvement in whistleblower protections within SA Police.

There is a clear commitment from the top to maintaining the integrity of SA Police. The evaluation identified an opportunity to strengthen the translation of this organisational commitment into consistent practice.

By building on the existing practices and enhancing consistency, SA Police can continue to foster a culture in which individuals feel confident to speak up, knowing that their concerns will be taken seriously and that they will receive the protection available to them under legislation.

ICAC thanks both agencies for their constructive participation in the evaluations and their willingness to examine their own practices. You can find the original terms of reference here.

Discussion Paper and submissions

In September 2025, ICAC released the Whistleblower Project Discussion Paper (547 KB), calling for public submissions about the adequacy of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 (SA). ICAC received 40 written submissions from individuals and organisations.

Permission has been given to publish the below submissions. South Australian-based submissions raising specific conduct will not be published.

Public forum

As part of this project, ICAC hosted a public forum in Adelaide on Wednesday 29 April 2026.

Expert panellists discussed issues identified throughout ICAC’s research, with a focus on the effectiveness of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 (SA) and any further measures that should be implemented to strengthen this vital protective framework. The panel discussion was facilitated by Julie-Anne Burgess, Chief Executive of the South Australian Housing Trust.

  • Dr Gabrielle Appleby, Professor at the Faculty of Law and Justice at University of New South Wales, Head of Research at the Centre for Public Integrity
  • Vanessa Burrows, Director of the Office for Public Integrity SA
  • Anneliese Cooper, Lawyer with Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project
  • Rory McClaren, Presenter, 891 ABC Adelaide
  • Tom Millett, Deputy Ombudsman (NSW) responsible for Public Interest Disclosures and Complaints Handling Systems Oversight
  • Frank O’Toole, former whistleblower, member of Transparency International Australia’s National Whistleblowing Advisory Group.