Raise an integrity complaint or concern
Queensland Government employees can raise complaints or concerns if they believe they have been treated unfairly, or to report suspected wrongdoing or conduct not consistent with the Queensland public service Code of Conduct.
In the first instance, you should refer to your agency’s policies for guidance on the most appropriate channel to raise your complaint or concern. Find these on your agency’s intranet or contact your human resources (HR) team.
In addition, there are statutory bodies and agencies with a role in maintaining and enhancing the integrity of the Queensland public sector that can help you with complaints and concerns.
A summary of complaints and where you can raise them is set out below.
You can raise a complaint about corrupt conduct if you suspect or have evidence of:
- neglect, failure or inaction of duties and responsibilities
- conspiracy or an attempt to engage in these types of behaviour.
Further detail of what constitutes corrupt conduct can be found in the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 or by visiting the public sector section of the Crime and Corruption Commission website.
How to direct your complaint
You can raise a concern about suspected corrupt conduct with your employing agency or report it directly to the Crime and Corruption Commission using their online form.
You can make a public interest disclosure (PID) if you have evidence of wrongdoing in the public sector and sharing that serves the public interest. This is sometimes referred to as whistleblowing.
For an allegation to be a PID under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 it must be:
- public interest information about serious wrongdoing or danger
- an appropriate disclosure
- made to a proper authority.
How to make a public interest disclosure
You can make a PID to:
- the public sector agency in which the wrongdoing has occurred
- the Crime and Corruption Commission (if the PID involves corruption)
- the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman (if the PID involves maladministration)
- the Chief Judicial Officer of a court or tribunal (if the PID is about suspected corrupt conduct or reprisal by a judicial officer)
- any member of the Queensland Parliament.
How you will be protected
Your identity will be kept confidential and you will be protected from reprisal. Anyone who causes a detriment to you for making a PID (or suspecting you will make a PID) can be charged with a criminal offence.
More information
Visit the Queensland Ombudsman website for more details on PID.
You can raise a complaint about administrative actions taken by an agency, including:
- a decision
- a failure to make a decision
- a recommendation made to a minister
- an action taken because of a recommendation made to a minister.
How to direct your complaint
You can raise a complaint about an administrative action by referring it to the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman. The Ombudsman has the power to investigate the decisions and actions of Queensland Government departments and agencies, local councils and public universities.
You can raise an employee grievance if you believe you’ve been treated unfairly. Grievances can include:
- unfair and unreasonable administrative decisions
- unfair and unreasonable conduct or behaviour
- bullying
- sexual harassment
- vilification (including vilification based on race, religion, gender identity or sexuality)
- Code of Conduct breaches
- acts or decisions incompatible with human rights
- failure to consider human rights during decision-making.
How to direct your complaint
You can raise a grievance with your employing agency. This may be through your manager, supervisor, or agency HR contact.
If don’t feel you can safely discuss the grievance with your agency manager or HR contact or, if you’re dissatisfied with your agency’s decision regarding a complaint or grievance you’ve raised, you can raise it with an external agency.
External review avenues include (but are not limited to):
- the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
- the Queensland Ombudsman
- the Queensland Human Rights Commission
If the complaint or grievance involves corrupt conduct, you can raise it directly with the Crime and Corruption Commission.
More information
Visit your agency’s intranet to find your local complaint management policy or contact your HR team. Read more about grievances in the guidance and legislation below:
You can raise a complaint about the conduct of a Director-General (or Chief Executive) if it has a substantial and direct adverse effect on the employee concerned and is either:
- unfair or unreasonable
- constitutes sexual or workplace harassment.
How to direct your complaint
You can raise a complaint regarding a Director-General by referring to your agency’s complaint management policy. It should nominate a person to submit this type of complaint to.
If your agency doesn’t provide specific direction, you can raise your complaint with:
- the Public Sector Commissioner.
- the Queensland Ombudsman (if the complaint is about an administrative decision, or a review of a decision made by the Chief Executive)
If the complaint or grievance involves corrupt conduct, you can raise it directly with the Crime and Corruption Commission.
More information
Read the Individual employee grievances directive for guidance on complaints about decisions made by a Chief executive.