Fraud and Corruption Mitigation

Monash University has a Fraud and Corruption Policy and two associated procedures.

The policy and procedures detail the following definitions:

Corruption:

"A dishonest act which is contrary to the interests of the University and in which a position of trust is abused. May involve, for example, taking or offering bribes or improper use of influence or position. Corruption also includes acts as defined under the University's Conduct and Compliance Procedures - Whistleblowers."

Fraud:

"The act of dishonestly obtaining a material benefit by deception or other means. Fraud can include, for example, theft, deliberate falsification, concealment or misuse of documentation, or false representation. The University considers fraud an act of serious misconduct and grounds for termination of employment, in accordance with the relevant workplace agreements."

Reporting:

1.1 Any staff member who suspects or becomes aware of a fraud or corruption should contact their relevant line manager, who in turn will notify the Director, Internal Audit.

  • If the staff member feels that reporting through their line manager would be inappropriate, they must report the matter directly to the Director, Internal Audit. If the allegation involves Internal Audit or one of the Senior Management Team, the staff member should refer the incident directly to the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President.
  • If the allegation involves Internal Audit or one of the senior management team, the staff member should refer the incident directly to the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President.

1.2   Staff can report incidents under the provisions of the University's Conduct and Compliance Procedures - Whistleblowers, if they choose to do so.

1.3   Line managers must advise their relevant dean/divisional director and immediately report the incident to the Director, Internal Audit.  The report should contain as much of the following information as possible.

  • date and time of the report.
  • date and time that the incident was detected
  • names of parties involved;
  • names of witnesses;
  • how the incident came to the attention of management;
  • the nature of the incident;
  • the value of the loss, if any, to the University; and
  • the action taken following discovery of the incident

1.4 When an allegation of fraud and/or corruption has been reported to the Dean, Divisional Director and/or Vice Chancellor as an allegation of misconduct or serious misconduct under the University's disciplinary procedures, the matter will also be reported, in confidence, to the Director, Internal Audit.

1.5 Members of the public can report any suspicion of fraud or corruption to the Director, Internal Audit, or through the Conduct and Compliance Procedures - Whistleblowers. All reports lodged with the Director, Internal Audit or with the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President will be treated on a confidential basis.

1.6 The Director, Internal Audit will:

a) report instances of suspected fraud and corruption to the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President;
b) manage investigations of suspected fraud and/or corruption in line with the Fraud and Corruption: Control Procedures;
c) report outcomes of completed investigation to the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President, as well as relevant management of the area involved; and
d) ensure that the Vice-Chancellor and President is kept informed at all times of all instances of fraud and corruption and any action taken.

1.7 Following any incidents, the effectiveness of mitigating controls will be reviewed in consultation with Internal Audit and the Risk and Compliance Unit.

Email address to report suspected instances of Fraud or Corruption

This email goes to and will be addressed by the Director Internal Audit on a confidential basis. fraud.corruption@monash.edu