Find where to report fraud

The Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre within the Attorney-General's Department is unable to investigate fraud allegations relating to other Australian Government departments. The Attorney-General's Department is responsible for fraud control policy at the Commonwealth level and does not have an investigatory role.

Our role is to build the counter-fraud capability of Australian Government entities.

We are unable to help individuals as we do not investigate fraud.

Discover where you should go to report fraud or seek help below.

How to report fraud that occurred against you

First steps you should undertake:

• Call 000 if your life is in danger.
• Look after your mental health by reaching out to Lifeline for 24/7 crisis support on 13 11 14 or by the online chat. These types of services are here to support you during times of crisis.
• Contact IDCARE (1800 595 160) if you have concerns about your identity or related cyber security. IDCARE is a national identity and cyber support service that can help you reduce harm from identity compromise.

Secondly, make reports to:

• your local state or territory police on 131 444 or by their website:
  • Australian Capital Territory Police
  • New South Wales Police
  • Northern Territory Police
  • Queensland Police
  • South Australia Police
  • Victoria Police
  • Western Australia Police
  • Tasmania Police
• any entity involved
• Scamwatch if related to an email, online or telephone scam including scams from interstate or overseas
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission if related to a financial or investment scam or fraud
• Crime Stoppers if you need to make the report anonymously.

How to report fraud against the Australian Government

Report suspected fraud directly to the relevant entity as they will have processes in place to manage these reports.

• Report suspected Medicare, welfare and child support fraud to Services Australia.
• Report suspected tax or superannuation fraud to the ATO.
• Report suspected health or aged care provider fraud to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
• Report suspected child care provider fraud to the Department or Education.
• Report suspected National Disability Insurance Scheme fraud to the National Disability Insurance Agency.
• Report suspected visa scams to the Department of Home Affairs.
• Report suspected veterans' entitlements fraud to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
• Report suspected passport fraud to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

If you are a current public official, you can report suspected fraud to your immediate supervisor or the internal counter fraud team or official. Alternatively, if you are a current or former public official, you can also raise your concerns through a Public Interest Disclosure (PID) direct to the authorised officer. A PID can be made by telephone, in writing (including email) or in person.

If you are unhappy with an Australian Government entity response, you can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman who may help find a solution.

How to report fraud against an individual, private business or a state or territory government entity

Contact your local state or territory police on 131 444 or through their website:

• Australian Capital Territory Police
• New South Wales Police
• Northern Territory Police
• Queensland Police
• South Australia Police
• Victoria Police
• Western Australia Police
• Tasmania Police.

You may also be able to report suspected fraud directly to a relevant state or territory government entity.

How to report corrupt conduct involving a Commonwealth public official

Report suspected corrupt conduct directly to the relevant entity as they will have processes in place to manage these reports.

You can also report suspected corrupt conduct directly to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (the Commission).

The Commission is an independent Commonwealth agency. The Commission detects, investigates and reports on serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector. They also educate the public service, and the public, about corruption risks and prevention.

Agency heads and Public Interest Disclosure officers of Commonwealth agencies and of intelligence agencies have mandatory obligations to refer suspected serious or systemic corrupt conduct to the Commission, unless they believe on reasonable grounds that the Commission is already aware of it.

You can find more information about the Commission and how to report corrupt conduct on the National Anti-Corruption Commission website.