Compliance Overview

Compliance Framework
Compliance Driver Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (NSW)
Classification Level 1
University-wide concern. Impacts on reputation and funding.
Associated Legislation
Associated Standards None
Associated Codes None
Associated Information None
Return to Top Administrative Information
Administrative Body NSW Ombudsman
Administrative Name Public Interest Disclosures Unit
Administrative Address Physical Address
Level 24
580 George Street
Sydney NSW
2000
Administrative Phone 02 9286 1000
1800 451 524
Administrative Email pid@ombo.nsw.gov.au
Administrative Website http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/our-work/public-interest-disclosures
Return to Top General Introduction
VC Compliance Delegate Kus Pandey, Director Governance and University Secretary
Compliance Coordinator Sarah Frost, Strategic Project Lead
Business Units Impacted
  • Academic Development
  • Accounting
  • Advancement, Alumni and Events
  • Ag360
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Brand Partnership and Business Development
  • Business Intelligence and Analytics
  • Business Services
  • Campuses
  • Careers & Employability
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Centre for Animal Research and Teaching
  • Centre for Applied Research in Social Science
  • Centre for Local Government
  • Client Services
  • Collaborative Research Centres
  • Computational Analytics Software Infomatics
  • Controlled Entities
  • Corporate Communications and Events
  • Cotton Catchment Communities CRC
  • CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies
  • CRC for Spatial Information
  • Curriculum and Academic Management
  • Data Services
  • Digital Education
  • Education Enterprise
  • Education Futures
  • Education Quality Directorate
  • English Language Centre
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Examinations Office
  • Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
  • Finance Strategy and Business Intelligence
  • Future Students, Engagement and Technologies
  • Graduate Research School
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Information Security
  • Infrastructure Services
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Integrated Services and Operational Intelligence
  • Internal Audit
  • Legal Services
  • Library Services
  • Office of Strategy and Management
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
  • Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous
  • Office of the Vice-Chancellor and CEO
  • Oorala Aboriginal Centre
  • Operational Reporting
  • People and Culture
  • Poultry Hub
  • Procurement
  • Records, Policy and Governance Unit
  • Research Centres and Institutes
  • Research Services
  • Rural Properties
  • School of Education
  • School of Environmental and Rural Science
  • School of Health
  • School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • School of Law
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Rural Medicine
  • School of Science and Technology
  • SportUNE
  • Strategic Partnerships & Business Development
  • Strategic Projects Group
  • Student Grievance Unit
  • Student Journey
  • Student Pathways
  • Student Services
  • Technology and Digital Services
  • The National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education
  • Treasury
  • UNE Archives & Heritage Centre
  • UNE Brand and Marketing
  • UNE Business School
  • UNE Council
  • UNE Foundation Limited
  • UNE Foundation Trust
  • UNE International
  • UNE Life Healthcare Centre
  • UNE Life Pty Ltd
  • UNE Marketing
  • UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd
  • UNE Professional Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd
  • UNE Residential System
  • University Secretariat
  • Vehicle Management Services
  • Yarm Gwanga
Overview This Act facilities disclosure by public officials of serious wrongdoing in or affecting the public sector. It provides protections for those involved in public interest disclosures (PIDs), helps to promote a culture in which PIDs are encouraged, and establishes an oversight regime and requirements for dealings with and reporting on PIDs.

Compliance Obligations

Return to Top Awareness & Training
Description The University needs to ensure public officials and PID Act responsible officers are aware of the various aspects of the PID Act, including the PID policy, protections under the Act, how and to whom to report, and their responsibilities (PID Act s 48).
Impacts Negative impact on reputation

Breach Impact Financial:
The PID Act does not explicitly impose direct penalties on corporations.

The employer can be liable for damages for detrimental action taken by an employee (s 36).

Breach Impact Non-Financial:
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act) in NSW includes criminal penalties for taking detrimental action against individuals who make public interest disclosures. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges. It also allows for civil remedies, such as the recovery of damages and the ability to seek injunctions. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue legal action to recover compensation for their losses and prevent further detrimental action.

Executive Liability: Yes - VC & CEO.
While the PID Act does not explicitly impose personal liability on directors and officers, they are responsible for ensuring their agency complies with the Act's provisions. Section 6(2) of the Act states that the head of an agency is responsible for ensuring the agency complies with the Act and the agency’s public interest disclosure policy .

Criminal Penalty/Offence: Yes.
Responsible Manager Kus Pandey, Director Governance and University Secretary
Coordinating Officer Sarah Frost, Strategic Project Lead
Coordinating Unit Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Oversight Committee/Group Audit and Risk Committee
Business Units Impacted
  • Academic Development
  • Accounting
  • Advancement, Alumni and Events
  • Ag360
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Brand Partnership and Business Development
  • Business Intelligence and Analytics
  • Business Services
  • Campuses
  • Careers & Employability
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Centre for Animal Research and Teaching
  • Centre for Applied Research in Social Science
  • Centre for Local Government
  • Client Services
  • Collaborative Research Centres
  • Computational Analytics Software Infomatics
  • Controlled Entities
  • Corporate Communications and Events
  • Cotton Catchment Communities CRC
  • CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies
  • CRC for Spatial Information
  • Curriculum and Academic Management
  • Data Services
  • Digital Education
  • Education Enterprise
  • Education Futures
  • Education Quality Directorate
  • English Language Centre
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Examinations Office
  • Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
  • Finance Strategy and Business Intelligence
  • Future Students, Engagement and Technologies
  • Graduate Research School
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Information Security
  • Infrastructure Services
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Integrated Services and Operational Intelligence
  • Internal Audit
  • Legal Services
  • Library Services
  • Office of Strategy and Management
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
  • Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous
  • Office of the Vice-Chancellor and CEO
  • Oorala Aboriginal Centre
  • Operational Reporting
  • People and Culture
  • Poultry Hub
  • Procurement
  • Records, Policy and Governance Unit
  • Research Centres and Institutes
  • Research Services
  • Rural Properties
  • School of Education
  • School of Environmental and Rural Science
  • School of Health
  • School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • School of Law
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Rural Medicine
  • School of Science and Technology
  • SportUNE
  • Strategic Partnerships & Business Development
  • Strategic Projects Group
  • Student Grievance Unit
  • Student Journey
  • Student Pathways
  • Student Services
  • Technology and Digital Services
  • The National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education
  • Treasury
  • UNE Archives & Heritage Centre
  • UNE Brand and Marketing
  • UNE Business School
  • UNE Council
  • UNE Foundation Limited
  • UNE Foundation Trust
  • UNE International
  • UNE Life Healthcare Centre
  • UNE Life Pty Ltd
  • UNE Marketing
  • UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd
  • UNE Professional Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd
  • UNE Residential System
  • University Secretariat
  • Vehicle Management Services
  • Yarm Gwanga
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Reporting Wrongdoing at UNE Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Contractors
Description The University must ensure that contracts meet the requirements of section 82 of the PID Act - that is, contractors must be made aware of their rights and obligations under the PID Act.
Impacts Negative impact on reputation

Breach Impact Financial:
The PID Act does not explicitly impose direct penalties on corporations.

The employer can be liable for damages for detrimental action taken by an employee (s 36).

Breach Impact Non-Financial:
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act) in NSW includes criminal penalties for taking detrimental action against individuals who make public interest disclosures. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges. It also allows for civil remedies, such as the recovery of damages and the ability to seek injunctions. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue legal action to recover compensation for their losses and prevent further detrimental action.

Executive Liability: Yes - VC & CEO.
While the PID Act does not explicitly impose personal liability on directors and officers, they are responsible for ensuring their agency complies with the Act's provisions. Section 6(2) of the Act states that the head of an agency is responsible for ensuring the agency complies with the Act and the agency’s public interest disclosure policy .

Criminal Penalty/Offence: Yes.
Responsible Manager Kus Pandey, Director Governance and University Secretary
Coordinating Officer Sarah Frost, Strategic Project Lead
Coordinating Unit Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Oversight Committee/Group Audit and Risk Committee
Business Units Impacted
  • Legal Services
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Reporting Wrongdoing at UNE Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Dealing with voluntary PIDs
Description Ensure that throughout the year the university has met its obligations in relation to dealing with voluntary PIDs under the PID Act. The primary obligations are:
- deal with voluntary PIDs in accordance with sections 49, 55, 56
- provide information to disclosers of voluntary PIDs as set out in s 59
- take steps to assess and minimise the risk of detrimental action (ss 61-62) - risk assessments should be undertaken
- ensure confidentiality of voluntary PIDs as set out in s 64, and
- take corrective action if serious wrongdoing is found (s 66).
Impacts Breach Impact Financial:
The PID Act does not explicitly impose direct penalties on corporations.

Section 62 provides that an agency may be liable for damages if it fails to meet its risk management obligations under s 61 and a person suffers injury, damage or loss as a result of that failure. Onus of proof is on the agency.

The employer can also be liable for damages for detrimental action taken by an employee (s 36).

Breach Impact Non-Financial:
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act) in NSW includes criminal penalties for taking detrimental action against individuals who make public interest disclosures. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges. It also allows for civil remedies, such as the recovery of damages and the ability to seek injunctions. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue legal action to recover compensation for their losses and prevent further detrimental action.

Executive Liability: Yes - VC & CEO.
While the PID Act does not explicitly impose personal liability on directors and officers, they are responsible for ensuring their agency complies with the Act's provisions. Section 6(2) of the Act states that the head of an agency is responsible for ensuring the agency complies with the Act and the agency’s public interest disclosure policy .

Criminal Penalty/Offence: Yes.
Responsible Manager Kus Pandey, Director Governance and University Secretary
Coordinating Officer Sarah Frost, Strategic Project Lead
Coordinating Unit Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Oversight Committee/Group Audit and Risk Committee
Business Units Impacted
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Reporting Wrongdoing at UNE Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Notifications
Description The University needs to notify the Ombudsman of certain reportable events under the PID Act (ss 34, 55, 81).
Impacts Breach Impact Financial:
The PID Act does not explicitly impose direct penalties on corporations

Breach Impact Non-Financial:
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act) in NSW includes criminal penalties for taking detrimental action against individuals who make public interest disclosures. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges. It also allows for civil remedies, such as the recovery of damages and the ability to seek injunctions. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue legal action to recover compensation for their losses and prevent further detrimental action.

Executive Liability: Yes - VC & CEO.
While the PID Act does not explicitly impose personal liability on directors and officers, they are responsible for ensuring their agency complies with the Act's provisions. Section 6(2) of the Act states that the head of an agency is responsible for ensuring the agency complies with the Act and the agency’s public interest disclosure policy .

Criminal Penalty/Offence: Yes.
Responsible Manager Kus Pandey, Director Governance and University Secretary
Coordinating Officer Sarah Frost, Strategic Project Lead
Coordinating Unit Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Oversight Committee/Group Audit and Risk Committee
Business Units Impacted
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Reporting Wrongdoing at UNE Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Policy
Description The University must have a public interest disclosures (PID) policy that meets certain content requirements and is publicly available and 'prominent' on the website/intranet (PID Act ss 42-47)
Impacts Negative impact on reputation

Breach Impact Financial:
The PID Act does not explicitly impose direct penalties on corporations.

The employer can be liable for damages for detrimental action taken by an employee (s 36).

Breach Impact Non-Financial:
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act) in NSW includes criminal penalties for taking detrimental action against individuals who make public interest disclosures. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges. It also allows for civil remedies, such as the recovery of damages and the ability to seek injunctions. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue legal action to recover compensation for their losses and prevent further detrimental action.

Executive Liability: Yes - VC & CEO.
While the PID Act does not explicitly impose personal liability on directors and officers, they are responsible for ensuring their agency complies with the Act's provisions. Section 6(2) of the Act states that the head of an agency is responsible for ensuring the agency complies with the Act and the agency’s public interest disclosure policy .

Criminal Penalty/Offence: Yes.
Responsible Manager Kus Pandey, Director Governance and University Secretary
Coordinating Officer Sarah Frost, Strategic Project Lead
Coordinating Unit Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Oversight Committee/Group Audit and Risk Committee
Business Units Impacted
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Reporting Wrongdoing at UNE Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Reporting
Description The University needs to report to the Ombudsman on a financial year basis about public interest disclosures (PIDs) in the preceding 12 month period (PID Act s 78).
Impacts Breach Impact Financial:
The PID Act does not explicitly impose direct penalties on corporations

Breach Impact Non-Financial:
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act) in NSW includes criminal penalties for taking detrimental action against individuals who make public interest disclosures. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges. It also allows for civil remedies, such as the recovery of damages and the ability to seek injunctions. This means that if someone is harmed, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting serious wrongdoing, the perpetrator can face criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue legal action to recover compensation for their losses and prevent further detrimental action.

Executive Liability: Yes - VC & CEO.
While the PID Act does not explicitly impose personal liability on directors and officers, they are responsible for ensuring their agency complies with the Act's provisions. Section 6(2) of the Act states that the head of an agency is responsible for ensuring the agency complies with the Act and the agency’s public interest disclosure policy .

Criminal Penalty/Offence: Yes.
Responsible Manager Kus Pandey, Director Governance and University Secretary
Coordinating Officer Sarah Frost, Strategic Project Lead
Coordinating Unit Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
Oversight Committee/Group Audit and Risk Committee
Business Units Impacted
  • Academic Development
  • Accounting
  • Advancement, Alumni and Events
  • Ag360
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Brand Partnership and Business Development
  • Business Intelligence and Analytics
  • Business Services
  • Campuses
  • Careers & Employability
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Centre for Animal Research and Teaching
  • Centre for Applied Research in Social Science
  • Centre for Local Government
  • Client Services
  • Collaborative Research Centres
  • Computational Analytics Software Infomatics
  • Controlled Entities
  • Corporate Communications and Events
  • Cotton Catchment Communities CRC
  • CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies
  • CRC for Spatial Information
  • Curriculum and Academic Management
  • Data Services
  • Digital Education
  • Education Enterprise
  • Education Futures
  • Education Quality Directorate
  • English Language Centre
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Examinations Office
  • Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
  • Finance Strategy and Business Intelligence
  • Future Students, Engagement and Technologies
  • Graduate Research School
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Information Security
  • Infrastructure Services
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Integrated Services and Operational Intelligence
  • Internal Audit
  • Legal Services
  • Library Services
  • Office of Strategy and Management
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
  • Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous
  • Office of the Vice-Chancellor and CEO
  • Oorala Aboriginal Centre
  • Operational Reporting
  • People and Culture
  • Poultry Hub
  • Procurement
  • Records, Policy and Governance Unit
  • Research Centres and Institutes
  • Research Services
  • Rural Properties
  • School of Education
  • School of Environmental and Rural Science
  • School of Health
  • School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • School of Law
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Rural Medicine
  • School of Science and Technology
  • SportUNE
  • Strategic Partnerships & Business Development
  • Strategic Projects Group
  • Student Grievance Unit
  • Student Journey
  • Student Pathways
  • Student Services
  • Technology and Digital Services
  • The National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education
  • Treasury
  • UNE Archives & Heritage Centre
  • UNE Brand and Marketing
  • UNE Business School
  • UNE Council
  • UNE Foundation Limited
  • UNE Foundation Trust
  • UNE International
  • UNE Life Healthcare Centre
  • UNE Life Pty Ltd
  • UNE Marketing
  • UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd
  • UNE Professional Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd
  • UNE Residential System
  • University Secretariat
  • Vehicle Management Services
  • Yarm Gwanga
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Reporting Wrongdoing at UNE Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites