Whistleblowers Protection

  • Please note: The Victorian government has introduced a new whistleblowers protection regime under the Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (Vic) which commenced in February 2013 (replacing the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001). Under this Act, disclosures can be made directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).
  • All organisations covered by the Act, including the University of Melbourne, have until August 2013 to update policies and procedures in accordance with the new Act. The University’s policies and procedures are currently being reviewed and will be updated along with this webpage when this review is complete.Until that time, please refer to the information below.

The University Responsible Conduct of Staff Policy includes the following provisions in section 5:

  • Staff will comply with the laws, regulations and codes of the State and Commonwealth, University Statutes and Regulations, the University’s Collective Agreement and University policies and procedures.
  • Staff may report to an appropriate University or external authority any behaviour that violates any law, rule or regulation or represents corrupt or improper conduct (including bribery), mismanagement of resources, or is a danger to public health or safety.
  • The University neither tolerates improper conduct by University staff and Council members, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct. The University is committed to the aims and objectives of the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001.
  • The University recognises the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices, and supports the making of disclosures that reveal corrupt or improper conduct (including bribery), conduct involving a substantial mismanagement of public resources, or conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or the environment.
  • The University will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure. It will afford natural justice to all parties including the person who is the subject of the disclosure.
  • Staff may make protected disclosures under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001.
  • Staff will comply with the Whistleblowers Protection Procedure and not harass or take reprisal action against staff who disclose impropriety or corrupt conduct

Further information about making whistleblower disclosures regarding the University may be found in the following documents:

In addition, you may wish to contact:

Ms Louise Goh
Lawyer
Compliance and Trusts
Phone: 8344 7919
Email: l.goh@unimelb.edu.au 		Ms Lara Rafferty
Manager, Fairness and Diversity
Human Resources
Phone: 8344 8614
Email: larar@unimelb.edu.au