ICAC releases whistleblower reports
New calls from anti-corruption authority after SA Police and Human Services Department scrutiny.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has made 29 recommendations to improve how public sector agencies manage whistleblower reports, after a 12-month investigation.
Both the Department of Human Services (DHS) and SA Police were evaluated to see how each agency receives and manages complaints concerning potential corruption, misconduct, or maladministration in public administration.
ICAC’s evaluation made 13 recommendations to build upon DHS’ whistleblower protections, including making fraud and corruption training mandatory for key roles and ensuring training provided to DHS employees relating to fraud and corruption is up-to-date and accurate.
A total of 16 recommendations were made following the evaluation of SAPOL, including strengthening measures to protect the confidentiality of whistleblowers and integrating whistleblowing information within internal policies.
ICAC Commissioner Emma Townsend said both the evaluations of both DHS and SAPOL highlighted the need for clearer systems and processes for whistleblower.
“DHS and SA Police have demonstrated a genuine commitment to maintaining integrity and have established many effective and encouraging practices that promote the reporting of suspected wrongdoing, and support those who make a disclosure,” Townsend said.
“However, the evaluations have also identified practical opportunities for improvement – changes that can be implemented now, without waiting for legislative change.
“A relatively simple change is for agencies to designate extra staff below management level as ‘responsible officers’, creating more accessible and approachable pathways for potential whistleblowers to raise concerns.”
The two reports are the final in ICAC’s major Whistleblower Project, and follow the release of a June 2026 project report, titled Doing Right by Those Who Call Out the Wrong: A review of South Australia’s whistleblower protection regime.
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That report made 61 recommendations for reform, including legislative changes and establishing a dedicated whistleblower support service.
“DHS and SA Police deliver critical services to the community and have the potential to set the benchmark for integrity and accountability across the South Australian public sector,” Townsend said.
“We hope these evaluations provide useful lessons for the broader public sector and local government.
“I would like to thank both agencies for their constructive participation in the evaluations and their willingness to examine their own practices.”
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