By Nicole Rose PSM, Deputy Commissioner National Anti-Corruption Commission
As an employee in the Commonwealth public sector, I hope you recently received an email inviting you to take part in the 2024 Commonwealth Integrity Survey.
The first of its kind in the federal public service, the survey fills a gap in our understanding of the integrity landscape across Australian public sectors. Data exists on experiences of fraud and corruption by agencies, but the Commonwealth Integrity Survey will draw on the valuable experiences and direct knowledge staff have about the departments and agencies they work in. We are excited that more than 170 agencies and departments are participating in this survey. Entities that don’t traditionally participate in the APSC Census have generously agreed we can include their staff in this inaugural survey.
As one of the Deputy Commissioners of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and a proud public servant of nearly 30 years, I want to encourage you to participate in this important initiative.
The APSC’s 2023 Trust and Satisfaction in Australian Democracy Survey found that 49% of respondents believe that corruption is a widespread issue in Australia’s democratic institutions and processes. The NACC’s mission is to enhance integrity in the Commonwealth public sector and part of that involves building public trust in our institutions. Data provided by the Commonwealth Integrity Survey will help us, and participating agencies, understand corruption issues, measure integrity, and apply those learnings to targeted education and prevention work.
This survey is voluntary and takes approximately 15 minutes. All responses are de-identified. The 30 questions focus on your insights about integrity and corruption issues in your agency.
Since the NACC commenced in July 2023, we have received more than 3,400 referrals from agency heads, members of the APS and the public. From these, 2 areas already stand out as major concerns:
- procurement and recruitment, particularly regarding favouritism towards family, friends and associates
- the misuse of official information for personal gain.
However, we know this is just part of the picture. The survey will help us identify a more refined picture of unreported corruption, and integrity risks and vulnerabilities within the system.
We've learned from our state counterparts that similar surveys provide critical insights that guide anti-corruption efforts. Your survey responses will help shape our strategies for preventing corrupt conduct and promoting integrity. Your experiences and knowledge of the departments and agencies you work in, as well as your understanding of the Commonwealth public sector, are crucial to this effort.
If you haven’t directly witnessed or experienced corruption, your input is still vital. Your perceptions and observations will ensure we capture a balanced range of views and help build a strong evidence base for the work of the NACC and participating agencies.
Corruption prevention work typically receives less attention than investigations and prosecutions, but I know through my own experience that it is essential for creating long-term, systemic change. Through targeted corruption education and prevention, we can promote ethical, merit-based decision-making, enhance organisational culture across the Commonwealth public sector, and ensure the transparent and fair use of public resources. The data from this survey will help the NACC, and the broader APS, focus our efforts where they’re needed most.
If you believe in the importance of a strong public sector that Australians trust, please complete the survey. Your knowledge and opinions are valuable and can make a real difference.