Resources & Insights | Core Integrity

Why Your Executives and Board Need Separate Whistleblower Training
Bundling executives and directors into one whistleblower training session may look efficient, but the two groups have different responsibilities. Executives need practical first-contact capability, while boards need governance oversight, reporting discipline and confidence that the whistleblower program is working in practice.
7 May 20267 minCore Integrity
After the Investigation: Managing Risk, Culture and Trust
A workplace investigation may establish what happened, but leaders still need to manage what happens next. This article explains how organisations can respond after an investigation by addressing risk, rebuilding trust, strengthening culture, and taking practical action without undermining findings or accountability.
4 May 202612 minCore Integrity
ASIC Has Benchmarked Whistleblower Programs Across Corporate Australia
ASIC REP 827 shows how whistleblower programs are being run across corporate Australia, where the weak points are, and why recurring training changes disclosure behaviour and leadership judgment.
20 Apr 20264 minCore Integrity
Anonymous Reporting System for Businesses
This article explains how anonymous reporting systems support fraud, misconduct, and ethics reporting in practice. It compares system models, governance controls, and rollout choices so organisations can choose an approach that improves reporter confidence, protects confidentiality, and creates a more reliable path from disclosure to response.
5 Apr 202613 minCore Integrity
Safeguarding Compliance Audit Checklist for Child-Facing Organisations
This checklist helps child-facing organisations assess whether their safeguarding controls are working as intended. It covers WWCC management, complaints handling, policies, records, training, and audit readiness so leaders can identify weak points early and strengthen compliance before a review, incident, or external scrutiny.
29 Mar 20269 minCore Integrity
How to Run a Whistleblower Investigation
This article explains how to run a whistleblower investigation in a way that is structured, fair, and defensible. It covers triage, evidence, confidentiality, interviews, findings, and remediation so leaders can separate protected disclosures from other issues and manage the process with greater confidence.
22 Mar 202613 minCore Integrity
ABC Training in Australia: What Boards and Leaders Need to Know
This guide explains what ABC training in Australia should cover for boards, executives, and operational leaders. It connects training to the wider anti-bribery and corruption control environment, showing where education helps, where it falls short on its own, and how leaders should think about implementation, accountability, and third-party risk.
15 Mar 20267 minCore Integrity
What is a Core Safeguard Programme?
This article explains what a Core Safeguard programme is, where it fits in child safety compliance, and how it helps organisations manage clearances, screening workflows, and change monitoring. It also clarifies what the programme does not replace, including broader safeguarding governance and cultural responsibilities.
8 Mar 20266 minCore Integrity
How to Assess Insider Risk in Your Organisation
This guide shows how to assess insider risk in a practical, decision-oriented way. It covers behaviours, access, controls, ownership, and response gaps so organisations can identify where trusted insiders could create harm and decide what should change in policy, monitoring, governance, or escalation.
1 Mar 20268 minCore Integrity
Whistleblower Programme Review Checklist
This checklist helps organisations review whether their whistleblower programme is workable in practice, not just documented on paper. It covers reporting channels, triage, confidentiality, training, oversight, and legal alignment so boards and programme owners can spot gaps before they undermine trust or compliance.
22 Feb 202610 minCore Integrity
Independent Investigator vs Internal HR Investigation
This comparison sets out when an independent investigator is the stronger choice and when an internal HR-led process may still be appropriate. It focuses on fairness, confidentiality, trust, defensibility, and conflict risk so leaders can choose a process model that fits the issue and the people involved.
15 Feb 202611 minCore Integrity
How an Independent Workplace Investigation Works in Australia
This article explains how an independent workplace investigation typically runs in Australia, from intake and scoping through evidence gathering, interviews, findings, and reporting. It is designed for leaders who need a practical overview of process, fairness, and decision points before appointing an external investigator.
8 Feb 202611 minCore Integrity
External Hotline vs Internal Reporting Channel: What is Best?
This comparison helps leaders decide whether an external hotline, an internal reporting channel, or a hybrid model is the better fit for their organisation. It focuses on trust, confidentiality, legal defensibility, and reporter experience so teams can design a reporting pathway that employees will actually use.
1 Feb 202612 minCore Integrity
What is a Whistleblower Hotline? A Practical Guide
This guide explains what a whistleblower hotline is, how it works, and why organisations use external reporting channels to improve trust, confidentiality, and governance. It outlines the difference between intake and investigation, what a defensible setup looks like, and where hotline design can fail in practice.
25 Jan 202610 minCore Integrity
What is Corethix? A Practical Guide to Integrity Risk Tracking
Corethix gives leaders a clearer way to track integrity risk, surface conduct issues earlier, and make better decisions about where to intervene. This article explains how the Integrity Risk Index fits into risk oversight, what it is designed to show, and when it is useful in practice.
18 Jan 20269 minCore Integrity
Whistleblower Laws in Australia: What Boards and Leaders Need to Know
This guide explains how Australia's whistleblower laws affect boards, executives, and programme owners. It covers protected disclosures, eligible recipients, confidentiality, policy expectations, and the practical governance decisions organisations need to make if they want speak up arrangements that are both trusted and legally defensible.
11 Jan 202611 minCore Integrity
What is Core Sentinel? A Guide to Insider Risk Management
Core Sentinel helps organisations understand insider risk before it turns into misconduct, fraud, data loss, or operational harm. This article explains what the offering covers, where it fits in a broader risk programme, and when leaders should move from general concern to a structured assessment and response model.
4 Jan 20267 minCore Integrity
How to Manage Working With Children Checks at Scale
This article explains how to manage working with children checks at scale. It covers centralised tracking, multi-site workforce control, expiring clearances, exception handling, audit readiness, and a practical workflow model for leaders managing WWCC, Blue Card, and WWVP obligations.
17 Dec 202517 minCore Integrity
Working With Children Check Compliance Guide
This article explains working with children check compliance from an operational point of view. It covers WWCC, Blue Card, and WWVP workflow risks, centralised tracking, role changes, contractors, expiry management, and how leaders should govern exceptions and escalations.
10 Dec 202517 minCore Integrity
NDIS Investigations: Process, Obligations, and Risks
This article explains NDIS investigations from a provider-side perspective. It covers reportable incidents, complaints, evidence handling, investigation stages, and when an independent investigator is the safer choice for serious, contested, or regulator-sensitive matters.
3 Dec 202523 minCore Integrity
People, Not Just Systems
The Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act has reshaped the regulatory landscape, but many organisations still overlook the most human element of all: the Personnel Hazard. This article explains why people, culture and behavioural controls matter just as much as cyber and physical safeguards.
1 Dec 20255 minCore Integrity
How to Handle Whistleblower Reports Confidentially and Professionally
Handling a whistleblower report can shape how people inside an organisation feel about safety, trust and fairness. This guide explains how to receive concerns confidentially, assess them objectively and manage the process professionally.
27 Nov 20259 minCore Integrity
Why Organisations Should Proactively Review Their Policies Before Issues Arise
Policies shape how people behave, how concerns are raised and how leaders respond. This article explains why regular policy reviews matter before problems force a rushed fix.
27 Nov 20259 minCore Integrity
Reportable Conduct Investigations in Australia
This article explains reportable conduct investigations in Australia in practical terms. It covers what reportable conduct means, how child-safety obligations differ from general workplace matters, when to appoint an independent investigator, and how intake, triage, investigation, and reporting usually work in a defensible response model.
26 Nov 202518 minCore Integrity
Fraud and Ethics Hotline vs Whistleblower Hotline
This article explains the difference between a fraud and ethics hotline and a whistleblower hotline. It covers where the models overlap, when broader reporting language improves uptake, how triage and confidentiality differ in practice, and when whistleblower-specific framing is still necessary.
19 Nov 202515 minCore Integrity
The Critical Pathway to Insider Risk
Most insider incidents do not begin with malicious intent; they begin with pressure. This article examines the Critical Pathway to Insider Risk and shows how Australian organisations can use it to detect and disrupt risk earlier.
17 Nov 20255 minCore Integrity
The Hidden Engine Behind Fraud Detection: Your People
An independent speak up hotline is one of the most effective tools for detecting workplace fraud early. ACFE research shows that 43% of fraud cases are first uncovered through tips, and more than half of those come from employees.
16 Nov 20254 minCore Integrity
Fraud and Ethics Hotline: What It Is and When to Use One
This article explains what a fraud and ethics hotline is, when it is a better fit than whistleblower-only language, and what governance controls make the channel credible. It covers intake scope, triage, confidentiality, anonymous reporting, and the practical signs that an external hotline model is the safer option.
12 Nov 202515 minCore Integrity
You Don't Buy Insurance for the Crashes
Too many leaders judge a Speak Up Hotline by how many reports it receives. But the real value is not usage; it is knowing people have a safe, independent channel when something goes wrong.
9 Nov 20256 minCore Integrity
Your Biggest Cyber Threat Has a Staff ID Badge
Cyber incidents often start with people, not systems. This article explains why phishing, credential theft and impersonation usually begin with human behaviour, and what organisations can do to reduce insider risk.
29 Oct 20255 minCore Integrity
Navigating the New Aged Care Act
From 1 November 2025, many aged care providers may need to operate under both the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Corporations Act 2001. This guide explains the pathways, duties and controls that matter most.
22 Oct 20259 minCore Integrity
Where Money Flows, Trouble Follows
Last week, I was honoured to be appointed as the inaugural Chief Integrity Officer at the Smart Cities Council (SCC), a role that combines my passion for helping organisations scale safely with embedding integrity at the heart of innovation. It also strengthens the partnership between Core Integrity and SCC.
6 Oct 20254 minCore Integrity
A New Era for Aged Care in Australia
From 1 November 2025, a new Aged Care Act will replace the laws that have governed the sector since 1997. The reforms place people at the centre of the system, introduce a rights-based framework, strengthen oversight and improve whistleblower protections for aged care providers.
3 Oct 20254 minCore Integrity
Fines, Failures and Prevention in WWCC Compliance
Failure to monitor, maintain and verify WWCCs across your workforce puts children at risk and exposes your organisation to serious fines, reputational damage and regulatory action. This article explains the real consequences of WWCC non-compliance and how proactive systems can help you stay ahead of risk.
3 Oct 20253 minCore Integrity
When Boards Lose Trust: Super Retail Group Case
For more than a year, Super Retail Group faced public allegations from two former senior employees, including the Chief Legal Counsel, over governance concerns, alleged misuse of resources and an undisclosed relationship between the CEO and the Head of Human Resources. The case shows why boards must verify disclosures, protect whistleblowers and treat governance as more than policy.
30 Sept 20258 minCore Integrity
From Compliance Tool to Culture Enabler: Rethinking Your Speak Up Hotline
For too long, boards and senior executives have seen hotlines as a compliance tick-box. Reframed as a Speak Up Hotline, they can become a culture enabler that helps people raise concerns early, supports better triage and investigation, and strengthens trust across the organisation.
21 Sept 20258 minCore Integrity
The 7.5 Million Wake-Up Call: Why the TerraCom Case Should Scare Complacent Boards
TerraCom's $7.5 million penalty after the Federal Court found breaches of whistleblower protection laws is a clear warning for complacent boards. This article explains why a policy is not a program, what a compliant whistleblower setup looks like, and the questions executives should be asking now.
1 Sept 20256 minCore Integrity
How to Build a Speak-Up Culture
A strong speak-up culture helps organisations surface misconduct early and build trust across the workforce. This article explains what a speak-up culture is, why people stay silent, and the practical steps leaders can take to strengthen reporting.
23 July 20257 minCore Integrity
How to Ensure Legal Compliance with a Whistleblower Hotline Service
Creating a safe, transparent, and legally compliant workplace takes more than good intentions. This guide explains how a whistleblower hotline service helps Australian organisations meet legal obligations, protect reporters and build trust, while showing what a compliant program needs to include.
23 July 20257 minCore Integrity
Monitoring and Maintaining Working with Children Checks in the Childcare Sector
In the childcare sector, Working with Children Checks are a legal requirement for staff. This article explains how a risk and compliance platform and an external speak up hotline can help childcare providers monitor compliance and respond to concerns early.
11 July 20254 minCore Integrity
How Do You Investigate Fraud in a Company?
Fraud can happen in any company, and investigating it well requires a structured, transparent, and lawful process. This article explains the key steps, common challenges, and how independent investigators and hotlines support the process.
5 June 20256 minCore Integrity
Internal vs External Whistleblowing
When employees witness misconduct, they may report it internally or externally. This article explains the difference, the legal protections involved, and how organisations can build trusted reporting systems.
5 June 20257 minCore Integrity
The Cost of a Flawed Investigation: Lessons from Panchal v Bulla Mushrooms
Panchal v Bulla Mushrooms shows how a flawed workplace investigation can lead to unfair dismissal, legal risk, and reputational damage. This article explains the key lessons for employers and investigators.
20 May 20254 minCore Integrity
The Do's and Don'ts of Workplace Investigations
Workplace investigations need prompt action, fairness, documentation, confidentiality, and a clear process. This guide explains what to do, what to avoid, and how whistleblower hotlines and speak up culture support better outcomes.
1 Apr 20257 minCore Integrity
What Is the Difference Between Whistleblowing and a Complaint?
Whistleblowing and complaints both involve speaking up, but they are not the same. This article explains the difference, the legal context in Australia, and how hotlines and policies help organisations respond properly.
1 Apr 202513 minCore Integrity
Whistleblowing Software in Australia
Whistleblowing software in Australia gives organisations a confidential way to raise concerns, protect reporters, and strengthen a speak-up culture. This article explains why it matters, what features to look for, and how Core Integrity can help.
1 Apr 202512 minCore Integrity
Aged Care Reforms
Australian aged care is undergoing staged reform to place the rights and wellbeing of older Australians at the centre. This article outlines the 1 July 2024 changes, the 1 November 2025 changes, and the whistleblower protections built into the new framework.
31 Mar 20255 minCore Integrity
Psychosocial Hazards
Psychosocial hazards are workplace factors that can cause psychological harm and affect physical health, performance, and wellbeing. This article explains the main risks, the legal context, and practical steps employers can take to reduce them.
4 Mar 20258 minCore Integrity
Case Summary: Elisha v Vision Australia Limited (HCA 50)
In Elisha v Vision Australia Limited (HCA 50), the High Court overturned a 115-year precedent and confirmed that workers terminated in breach of contract can claim damages for psychiatric injury. This summary outlines the facts, arguments, ruling and implications.
2 Mar 20253 minCore Integrity
How Whistleblower Programs Reduce Financial and Reputational Risk
Whistleblower programs help organisations detect misconduct early, reduce fraud losses, strengthen stakeholder trust and protect reputation. This article explains the financial and reputational risks they address and why a strong speak up culture matters.
2 Mar 20258 minCore Integrity
Who Provides Whistleblower Hotlines in Australia
Whistleblower hotlines help organisations receive confidential reports of misconduct and protect people who speak up. This article explains who provides these hotlines in Australia, the benefits of independent providers and what to look for in a strong whistleblower program.
2 Mar 202510 minCore Integrity
Why Large Companies Should Invest in a Whistleblower Hotline
A whistleblower hotline helps large companies build trust, strengthen ethical standards, and reduce legal and reputational risk. This guide explains what a hotline is, why it matters, and how to make it work.
2 Mar 202511 minCore Integrity
ASIC v TerraCom Limited Case: Detailed Overview
The ASIC v TerraCom Limited case is a landmark Federal Court matter involving alleged whistleblower detriment and disclosure handling failures under the Corporations Act. This overview explains the parties, allegations, legal provisions and key court dates.
23 Feb 20254 minCore Integrity
Unfair Dismissal Exposed: FWC Highlights Procedural Failures and Investigation Flaws
In a 2024 case, the Fair Work Commission highlighted the importance of balancing misconduct with procedural fairness during dismissals. The investigation was criticised for flaws including witness interviews, impartiality concerns, leading questions and a rushed timeframe.
17 Feb 20255 minCore Integrity
A Brief Overview of the SOCI Act
The Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 sets obligations for entities that own, operate or have interests in critical infrastructure assets. This overview explains the main sectors, the Act's security obligations, supplier impacts and the purpose of a critical infrastructure risk management program.
10 Feb 20258 minCore Integrity
11 Key Items for Inclusion in Your Whistleblower Policy
A strong whistleblower policy should clearly define scope, eligibility, protected disclosures, reporting channels, recipients, confidentiality, retaliation protections, investigation steps, training, review and contact details. This guide sets out the 11 key items to include.
2 Feb 20254 minCore Integrity
Bridging the Gap Between Stated Values and Actual Behaviours: The Role of Compliance Solutions
Most organisations state values such as integrity, honesty and fairness, but gaps remain between what is promised and what happens in practice. This article explains how a compliance solution can improve visibility, bring key activities into one place and help boards and executives monitor behaviour more effectively.
2 Feb 20254 minCore Integrity
Corporate Fraud Investigations
Corporate fraud and workplace corruption can lead to financial losses, reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny. This guide explains common fraud types, warning signs, preventative measures and how workplace investigations help uncover the facts and support accountability.
2 Feb 20257 minCore Integrity
The Impact of a Whistleblower Culture on Workplace Integrity
A strong whistleblower culture helps employees report unethical behaviour without fear of retaliation. It supports transparency, accountability and early intervention, while poor whistleblowing frameworks can expose organisations to reputational, financial and regulatory harm.
2 Feb 20255 minCore Integrity
The Risks of Not Having a Whistleblower Program
Without a whistleblower program, misconduct can go undetected, legal and regulatory risks increase, financial losses can grow and workplace culture can deteriorate. This article explains why an effective reporting program is essential for integrity and accountability.
2 Feb 20256 minCore Integrity
Update on Cyber Security Act 2024
The Cyber Security Act 2024 strengthens Australia's cyber security framework through measures such as mandatory ransomware reporting, smart device standards and a Cyber Incident Review Board. This article explains the Act's background, the draft reporting rules and why mandatory reporting matters.
2 Feb 20257 minCore Integrity
Understanding the Differences Between a Whistleblower Hotline and a Speak Up Hotline
A whistleblower hotline is usually designed to meet legal and regulatory requirements by capturing reportable conduct such as fraud or corruption. A speak up hotline is broader, giving employees and other stakeholders a safe way to raise concerns, ideas and issues before they escalate.
27 Jan 20256 minCore Integrity
Trusted Insiders: The Hidden Risk Lurking Within Your Organisation
Trusted insiders already have legitimate access to your systems and data, which makes them a hidden but serious risk. This article explains the main threat types, the impacts they can cause, and why a proactive insider risk program needs people, process and technology working together.
12 Jan 20256 minCore Integrity
What Are the Steps in a Whistleblowing Process?
A strong whistleblowing process helps organisations recognise wrongdoing, provide secure reporting channels, acknowledge concerns promptly, investigate fairly, take corrective action and close the case properly. This guide outlines each step and shows how a hotline service supports both whistleblowers and organisations.
10 Dec 20245 minCore Integrity
The Difference Between an Investigation and a Disciplinary
Navigating workplace challenges can be complex, particularly when addressing employee misconduct or disputes. Understanding the distinction between an investigation and a disciplinary action is critical for employers and employees in Australia. These processes serve distinct purposes, and confusion between them can lead to unfair outcomes or legal repercussions.
28 Nov 20246 minCore Integrity
What is the process of a workplace investigation?
Workplace investigations are a structured process for uncovering the facts around misconduct, harassment, fraud, or policy breaches. This guide explains the key steps, the importance of objectivity, how to collect evidence, and how to report findings clearly, fairly and confidentially.
28 Nov 20248 minCore Integrity
Proactively Managing Conflicts of Interest
Proactively managing conflicts of interest by encouraging early disclosure, fostering transparency, and implementing clear policies helps protect an organisation's integrity, mitigate risks, and build trust. If conflicts are not addressed early, they can result in ethical breaches, legal challenges, and reputational damage.
12 Nov 20249 minCore Integrity
Ready to Implement a Whistleblower Hotline Service?
I am often asked by our clients how they can get the most out of our Speak Up Integrity Hotline programs and how they can get their people to speak up. Whilst there are many facets to setting up an effective program, there are three simple things your organisation can do to create a safe speak up culture.
13 Oct 20246 minCore Integrity
Secure Anonymous Reporting System for Businesses
Building trust in the workplace is about giving people the confidence to speak up when something feels wrong. This guide explains how a secure anonymous reporting system for businesses helps organisations across Australia protect employees, manage risk and build a stronger reporting culture.
1 Oct 20246 minCore Integrity
What Is the Chain of Custody?
During investigations, a variety of sources of evidence are often collected. Chain of custody is the term used when handling evidence, sometimes referred to as exhibits. A clear record of who has handled, accessed, edited, or altered evidence is essential to show that it has not been tampered with and to protect its reliability.
13 Sept 20245 minCore Integrity
Happy World Whistleblower Day
World Whistleblower Day is celebrated each year on 23 June to honour the courageous individuals who call attention to corrupt conduct and expose wrongdoing. To mark the occasion, we thought we would reiterate how your organisation can benefit from having an external Speak Up program and provide an avenue for whistleblowers.
20 June 20245 minCore Integrity
Sexual Harassment Investigation Services in Australia
World Whistleblower Day is celebrated each year on 23 June to honour the courageous individuals who call attention to corrupt conduct and expose wrongdoing. To mark the occasion, we reiterate how organisations can benefit from an external Speak Up program, clearer reporting avenues, and a culture that encourages people to speak up.
20 June 20245 minCore Integrity
Introduction to Security Threats
Security vulnerabilities and associated risks cannot exist in the absence of a threat. Identification, examination, and assessment of threat sources and threat acts are key to managing security risk. Understanding security threats involves analysing capability, intent, and the six major threat types that can affect organisations.
28 May 20249 minCore Integrity
Cyber Risk Assessments in Australia
Cyber risk assessments are comprehensive evaluations of an organisation's cybersecurity posture. They help identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and prioritise mitigation strategies so organisations can better protect their digital assets, reduce cyber incidents, and improve overall resilience.
15 May 20249 minCore Integrity
Security Risk Advisors in Australia
Core Integrity's security risk advisors in Australia help organisations identify vulnerabilities, assess threats and strengthen resilience with tailored audits, risk assessments, incident response planning and training across a range of sectors.
15 May 202412 minCore Integrity
Security Risk Assessment Company in Australia
Core Integrity's security risk assessment services help organisations identify vulnerabilities, assess threats and strengthen resilience with tailored audits, risk assessments, incident response planning and training.
15 May 202410 minCore Integrity
How Do You Conduct a Workplace Investigation in Australia?
In modern workplaces, workplace investigations help maintain integrity, fairness, and compliance. In Australia, a successful investigation requires a strategic and systematic approach guided by integrity, impartiality, and legal compliance.
14 May 20247 minCore Integrity
How Do You Investigate Misconduct?
Wondering how to investigate misconduct in the workplace? Misconduct can arise in the form of fraud, harassment, corruption, or other wrongdoing. A strong investigation requires a systematic process that protects fairness, confidentiality, and accountability.
14 May 20245 minCore Integrity
What Is a Workplace Investigation?
A workplace investigation is a structured process used to address allegations of misconduct, discrimination, harassment, or policy breaches within a professional setting. It involves gathering evidence, interviewing relevant parties, and analysing the facts so organisations can determine the validity of allegations and respond fairly and effectively.
14 May 20247 minCore Integrity
5 Key Elements of a Successful Investigation
An investigation is the search and discovery of information and the facts relating to a particular issue or incident. Although the concept sounds simple, investigations can be complex and may involve whistleblower protections, criminal conduct, employee misconduct, workplace grievances, and wellbeing considerations. A successful investigation depends on scope, planning, evidence collection, analysis, and documentation.
1 Mar 202410 minCore Integrity
Top Five Benefits of an Effective Business Plan
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of business, having a well-thought-out strategy is essential. The effectiveness of that strategy often hinges on how well it is executed. A robust business plan plays a pivotal role by tracking execution against strategy, improving alignment, clarity, accountability, resource allocation, and adaptability.
20 Feb 20245 minCore Integrity
How to Implement a Whistleblower Policy
Whistleblowing plays a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical practices within organisations. Recognising that importance, Core Integrity shares practical guidance on implementing a whistleblowing policy that creates a safe and supportive environment for employees and stakeholders to report wrongdoing or unethical behaviour.
14 Jan 202411 minCore Integrity
The Benefits of a Whistleblower Program
Whistleblower programs play a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability in organisations. In Australia, they help expose wrongdoing, safeguard the public interest, and encourage responsible corporate behaviour. A robust program also supports legal protection, stronger governance, and better regulatory compliance.
14 Jan 20247 minCore Integrity
Who Needs a Whistleblower Policy in Australia?
Whistleblowing plays a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability in both the public and private sectors. Whistleblowers expose wrongdoing, illegal activities, or unethical behaviour within organisations, helping issues come to light before they go unnoticed. Australia has introduced legislation and policies to protect whistleblowers and encourage reporting.
11 Jan 202410 minCore Integrity
Is There Whistleblower Protection in Australia?
Whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing wrongdoing and promoting accountability within organisations and society as a whole. Their courageous actions often shed light on corruption, fraud, or illegal activities that would otherwise remain hidden. Recognising the importance of whistleblowers, many countries have implemented legal frameworks to protect them from retaliation and provide avenues for reporting misconduct. In Australia, significant steps have been taken to establish whistleblower protection laws that encourage disclosures, safeguard whistleblowers, and support transparency.
10 Jan 202411 minCore Integrity
Whistleblower Policies in Australia
The act of whistleblowing is an integral part of an organisation's accountability framework. Whistleblower policies are increasingly important in Australia because they provide a safe and secure way for employees to report illegal or unethical activities. A whistleblower policy sets out the procedures and guidelines that protect individuals who report misconduct or wrongdoing from retaliation.
10 Jan 20247 minCore Integrity
Managing Employee Conduct Risk for a Stronger Culture
In the modern corporate landscape, the significance of a healthy organisational culture cannot be under-estimated. A vibrant and inclusive culture doesn't just boost employee morale and engagement; it can be a powerful driver of sustained success for your organisation. One pivotal aspect of fostering such a culture is the proactive management of employee conduct risk, an area that is becoming increasingly complex to manage. This involves ensuring that employees' behaviours and actions align with the organisation's values, ethics, and regulatory standards.
13 Aug 20235 minCore Integrity
Maximising the Impact of Your Whistleblower Program
As businesses strive for a more ethical culture and to improve the employee experience, whistleblower programs have become an important part of good corporate governance. A strong program supports transparency, helps wrongdoing surface quickly, and works best when policy, oversight, training, reporting channels, and analysis are all maintained.
9 Aug 20234 minCore Integrity
The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers
Knowing your numbers means having a holistic view of matters received through whistleblower and complaints frameworks. This article explains the data organisations should track, why it matters for Boards and leaders, and how smaller organisations can start building a practical reporting framework.
30 Jan 20237 minCore Integrity
What Is the Briginshaw Principle?
In 1938 the High Court of Australia made a decision that has had a long-lasting impact on how evidence is evaluated and weighted in Australia, including workplace investigations. This article explains the Briginshaw principle, common misconceptions about it and how it applies when investigators are making factual findings.
4 Jan 20233 minCore Integrity
Prioritise a Cautious Attitude
As festive functions approach, employers should be cautious about the risk of employee misconduct in relaxed settings. Clear behaviour expectations, mobile phone and social media rules, responsible alcohol service, and safe transport planning can all help reduce risk and support a safer end-of-year event.
7 Dec 20224 minCore Integrity
Making Speaking Up Easy
Whistleblowers often suffer significant emotional distress because of the misconduct they are reporting, fear of reprisal and the experience of reporting it. This article explains how Core Integrity makes speaking up easier through secure channels, trauma-informed handling, triage and assessment, and a clear handover process for organisations.
5 Dec 20217 minCore Integrity
Scams Awareness Week
Scams Awareness Week highlights the scale of scam harm in Australia and the rise of cybercrime affecting individuals and businesses. It draws on ACCC and ACSC reporting to show why organisations should review protective security frameworks, educate staff and contractors, and address both cyber and insider threats.
11 Nov 20216 minCore Integrity
What Is a Trusted Insider Threat?
A trusted insider threat comes from within the organisation and can involve malicious or unintentional behaviour. This article explains the two main types of trusted insiders, why they are difficult to detect, the motivations that drive them and the practical risk factors organisations should consider.
8 Nov 20215 minCore Integrity
Sexual Harassment Legislation Post the Respect@Work Report
There have been significant changes in Australia relating to how sexual harassment is approached within the workplace. This article explains the Respect@Work Report, the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect@Work) Amendment Act 2021, the main legislative changes and the practical steps organisations should take.
29 Sept 20215 minCore Integrity
What Is the Serious Incident Reporting Scheme?
The Serious Incident Reporting Scheme (SIRS) is an Australian Government initiative that strengthens governance in residential aged care. It requires eligible providers to maintain an effective incident management framework, manage incidents and complaints, and report certain matters to the Commission within specified timeframes.
27 July 20215 minCore Integrity
Updated Whistleblower Laws
The updated whistleblower laws expanded who can make a disclosure, allowed anonymous reporting and increased the obligations on businesses that run Speak Up programs. This article explains the key changes, the protections now in place and the practical steps organisations should take to stay compliant.
18 July 20214 minCore Integrity
What Is Modern Slavery?
The Modern Slavery Act requires reporting entities to implement a framework and submit a Modern Slavery statement. This article explains what modern slavery means, how it affects Australian organisations, the reporting obligations under the Act and the practical steps businesses should take to assess risk and build a response.
15 June 20217 minCore Integrity
What Is Critical Infrastructure?
Businesses of every size can be exposed to attacks from malicious actors, physical threats and internal fraud. This article explains what critical infrastructure means in a business context, why it matters in Australia, and the practical steps organisations can take to assess risk, develop action plans and engage stakeholders.
18 May 20217 minCore Integrity
What ASIC Found in Its Covert Whistleblower Review
This article explains what ASIC found in its covert review of whistleblower policies, why policy compliance matters, and the seven elements organisations should check to align reporting channels, protections, eligible recipients and response processes with the legislation in practice today.
15 May 20216 minCore Integrity
Whistleblowers Are a Sign of Healthy Companies
This article explains why whistleblower reports are a sign of a healthy company. It looks at the factors that affect reporting volumes, shares global benchmark data and shows how tone from the top, promotion, capability and culture influence whether people speak up.
11 May 202110 minCore Integrity
Challenges for the Aged Care Sector
The article argues that aged care providers cannot treat reporting systems as optional. It draws on the Royal Commission, SIRS and whistleblower law to show why confidential and anonymous speak up channels matter, and why leaders need to handle reports consistently, objectively and with due process.
21 Apr 20219 minCore Integrity
Emerging Fraud Risks: How to Tackle Fraud in 2021
While many businesses focused on keeping their doors open during the pandemic, the article argues that organisations could not afford to let down their guard on fraud and employee misconduct. It draws on ACFE data to show fraud was rising, highlights cyber, payment, unemployment, supplier and vendor fraud, and sets out three practical responses for 2021: act quickly, invest in an externally managed hotline, and train people to spot risk earlier.
28 Dec 20208 minCore Integrity
The Behavioural Red Flags of Employee Misconduct
This article explains the behavioural red flags of employee misconduct and why leaders should not ignore warning signs. It draws on ACFE research showing most fraud cases have at least one red flag, then outlines the most common behavioural traits and why regular fraud awareness training helps organisations detect and respond to issues earlier.
23 Nov 20204 minCore Integrity
Business Email Compromise Scams: Why They're Rising
This article explains why business email compromise scams rose during the pandemic, how fraudsters exploit remote working and weak internal controls, and why small businesses are especially exposed. It also shows why a proper response needs more than an IT fix, including a forensic investigation, a fraud risk review, and employee education.
17 Nov 20206 minCore Integrity
What We Can Learn from the Anthony Seibold Cyber Attack
This article reflects on the Anthony Seibold cyber attack and what organisations can learn from it. Online abuse can affect people's mental health and reputation, legislation and education need to improve, and leaders must create safe environments where people can speak up early and be supported when issues arise.
3 Sept 20205 minCore Integrity
How to Safeguard Your People, Reputation and Bottom Line
This article explains how organisations can protect people, reputation and the bottom line by backing a strong speak-up culture with practical internal risk management. It reflects a COVID-19-era discussion about fraud pressure, culture, and the need for leaders to protect the systems that protect the organisation.
31 Aug 20203 minCore Integrity