Fraud in Review Volume 7

ICON 097: Teamwork

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2026! As we kick off the year, we’re pleased to share the work underway across the Centre and highlight what’s ahead. We’re looking forward to continuing our strong partnerships with the counter-fraud community and building on the momentum we created in 2025.

This year brings fresh opportunities for collaboration, innovation and strengthened capability across the Commonwealth. We’re eager to explore new ideas, share insights and drive initiatives that support entities to more effectively prevent, detect and respond to fraud and corruption.

Our focus in 2026 will be exploring law and policy reform opportunities that unlock stronger action on fraud, continuing to help our community connect and share information and practice, and support you to deliver impactful and measurable fraud prevention outcomes

In this edition, you’ll also find updates on some of our projects, insights on the work of the international counter-fraud community and some new releases.

Independent Review confirms CFPC’s government-wide impact

The independent review, delivered by KPMG in February 2026, assessed the appropriateness, effectiveness, implementation and efficiency of the Centre’s operations and found the Centre has delivered on its goals, plays a critical leadership role and is strongly supported across government as a central, expert hub for counter-fraud capability.

Read about the independent review by KPMG.

What comes next – Strategic Updates from the CFPC and its IPSFF partners

Reflecting on 2025 at a recent meeting, the International Public Sector Fraud Forum (IPSFF) Senior Leads highlighted achievements, emerging risks and collaboration opportunities across international public sector partners.

Learn about strategic updates from the CFPC and its IPSFF partners.

Discover what’s new on the refreshed counterfraud.gov.au website

Discover the refreshed counterfraud.gov.au website with easier navigation, drop-down menus and a “Where to start” page for quick access to fraud prevention guidance, tools and resources.

Discover what’s new on Counterfraud.gov.au.

Product highlight: Strengthening fraud prevention through smarter data

Learn how data driven methods, combined with robust risk assessments, can significantly enhance your ability to protect programs, services and government outlays from fraud.

Find out more about how to strengthen fraud prevention through smarter data.

Insights from a secondment to the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre

Hear from David Whitehouse-Hayes, from the UK’s Public Sector Fraud Authority, about his secondment to the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre.

Find out more about David, from the UK’s Public Sector Fraud Authority’s secondment.

Publication releases

Full Fraud Risk Assessment: Practice Note

This Practice Note by the UK Public Sector Fraud Authority brings together leading practice from across the public sector to provide guidance for those responsible for the completion of Full Fraud Risk Assessments.

Access the Full Fraud Risk Assessment: Practice Note.

Combating Fraud: Approaches to Evaluate Effectiveness and Demonstrate Integrity

This US GAO technical appendix offers approaches to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of fraud risk management activities, strengthening fraud controls and program integrity.

Access the guide Combating Fraud: Approaches to Evaluate Effectiveness and Demonstrate Integrity.

Fraud and Corruption Risks in Poor Supplier Management

The guidance from the NZ Serious Fraud Office identifies supplier management processes that are vulnerable to fraud and corruption and suggests a range of controls organisations can put in place to improve oversight and reduce their risks.

Access the Fraud and Corruption Risks in Poor Supplier Management.

Case study spotlight

A Department of Defence employee, his wife, and a Northern Territory construction firm director have been charged with conspiracy to channel $71 million in construction contracts to their own company. The charges follow investigations by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Access the case study.

Events and training

Counter Fraud Practitioner Training Program

The Centre will continue to host its award winning Counter Fraud Practitioner Training Program in 2026. The free program is designed for Commonwealth officials working in fraud and corruption control and risk management areas.

See the Counter Fraud Practitioner Training Program page for more information and to submit your expression of interest.

Fraud in the media