University Office of Integrity

The University Office of Integrity was established to improve how The Australian National University receives and manages complaints, disclosures and reports of wrongdoing.

It provides a central place to assess matters, identify the right pathway and help prevent serious or complex concerns from becoming delayed, fragmented or lost between University processes.

What the Office will do

The Office will:

• receive and assess matters raised with it
• identify immediate risks and any need to preserve evidence
• determine which University or external process should apply
• refer matters to the appropriate area and monitor progress where required
• coordinate matters involving more than one area
• identify repeated concerns and systemic risks
• investigate matters that require central or independent handling.

The Office will retain matters involving fraud, corruption, public interest disclosures (PID’s), serious misconduct, conflicts of interest, or significant cross-cutting or systemic concerns.

What the Office will not do

The Office will not investigate every matter raised with it.

Existing University areas will continue to manage and investigate matters where they have the appropriate authority, expertise and independence. This includes most student, staff, research, safety, privacy, academic and administrative matters.

The Office will not replace authorised decision-makers, determine criminal guilt or act as an appeal body for matters that have already been properly considered.

Phased implementation

Initial operating phase

The Office will establish a central intake, assessment and triage function.

It will refer most matters to existing University process owners, while retaining the defined matters that require central or independent investigation. It will also monitor referred matters where oversight is needed.

Longer-term mission

Over time, the Office will strengthen coordination and consistency across University complaint and investigation processes.

It will use information from individual matters to identify systemic issues, improve University processes and support a stronger integrity culture across ANU.