Public interest disclosure

The ACCC/AER has established agency procedures for dealing with public interest disclosures.

Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013

Legislation for a public interest disclosure scheme commenced on 15 January 2014. The Act promotes integrity and accountability in the Australian public sector by:

• encouraging and facilitating the disclosure of information by public officials about suspected wrongdoing in the public sector
• ensuring that public officials who make public interest disclosures are supported and protected from adverse consequences
• ensuring that disclosures by public officials are properly investigated and dealt with.

See: Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013

ACCC/AER public interest disclosure procedures

The ACCC Chairman, under s59 of the Act, established agency procedures for dealing with Public Interest Disclosures.

Making a public interest disclosure to the ACCC/AER

The ACCC/AER has appointed authorised officers for handling PIDs made to us.

If you would like to make a PID you should contact an authorised officer by emailing your disclosure to PIDaccc [dot] gov [dot] au (pid[at]accc[dot]gov[dot]au).

Note: any hard copy PID’s should be marked 'Confidential - Public Interest Disclosure'.

Putting PIDs in writing

While you are not required to make a PID in writing, there can be benefits in doing so.

Setting things out in writing gives you the opportunity to carefully and clearly set out the particular issues you have, without the risk of anything relevant being missed or misunderstood. If there is any confusion or uncertainty surrounding a written PID, an appropriate ACCC/AER official will contact you to clarify matters.

More information

Agency guide to the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013

Commonwealth Ombudsman