Fraud 110-16000000

This document provides an introduction for staff about fraud and a link to reporting suspected fraud. It also connects staff to fraud prevention resources and contacts.

Government intent

Under the Commonwealth Fraud Control Framework 2017, fraud is ‘dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss by deception or other means’. Fraud can be committed by an external and/or internal party.

It is a responsibility of all Service Australia staff to report suspected fraud and corruption.

External fraud

External fraud is fraud committed by the agency’s customers, third parties, or members of the general public. Examples of external include:

claiming a payment or service based on false information
deliberately failing to update personal details, resulting in a financial or other gain

All staff play an important role in detecting customer and third party fraud. See Report Suspected Fraud and Corruption to report any suspected fraud, or assist a member of the public to report suspected fraud.

Internal fraud

Internal fraud is fraud committed by staff, either intentionally or as a result of exploitation by an outsider.

Examples of internal fraud include:

an employee accessing agency systems to claim payments or services for themselves
disclosing customer details to a person or business outside the agency for a financial gain or other benefit
disclosing other official information without authority, such as procurement details
dishonestly claiming annual or personal leave (such as falsifying a medical certificate), overtime or flex, or travel allowances
claiming false qualifications or job experience
sending official information outside the agency without authority
dishonestly claiming payments and services, or helping another person do this
using a Cabcharge or corporate credit card for personal expenses
manipulating customer information:

for a personal benefit
for someone else, or
to cause a loss

stealing or inappropriately using agency equipment for personal use
fraudulent or unethical recruitment practices, including employment fraud

Report suspected fraud and corruption of any type being committed by, or in connection with, a Services Australia staff member.

Identity fraud

Identity fraud involves a person using an identity other than their own for a financial or other advantage.

Identity crime describes a range of activities where personal information is fabricated, manipulated, stolen, assumed, lent, 'borrowed' or purchased in order to facilitate a crime.

Fraud and Corruption Control Plan

Services Australia has a strategy in place to prevent, control and detect fraud. See Resources for a link to the Services Australia Fraud and Corruption Control Plan.

The Resources page contains relevant intranet links.

Report Suspected Fraud and Corruption

Customer contacts non-investigation staff about an investigation

Planning, commencement and critical decision recording for fraud investigations

Prosecutions

Gathering information and evidence for fraud investigations

Optical surveillance

Operational Information