Information Sheet Element 4 – Governance and oversight

This information sheet is part of a series of resources to help officials understand and implement the new Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework. To access other information sheets, go to Learn about the Fraud and Corruption Control Framework.

Purpose

This information sheet will help Commonwealth officials understand:

• how to establish fit for purpose governance structures for managing and overseeing fraud and corruption
• how to better support decision-making through governance arrangements
• how to identify roles and responsibilities of key officials using the ‘three lines of defence’
• how to determine and maintain an appropriate level of capability to manage fraud and corruption risks
• education offerings available for officials primarily engaged in fraud and corruption control
• how to document arrangements for managing fraud and corruption risks.

At a glance

Here are some of the key points discussed in this information sheet:

• The governance structures and processes entities put in place to oversee and manage fraud and corruption should be fit for purpose and proportionate to the risks faced by the entity.
• Entities should ensure their governance arrangements and processes correlate with their broader organisational risk management frameworks.
• Entities may use the ‘three lines of defence’ model to help identify and document the roles and responsibilities of specific positions or internal governance bodies.
• Decisions made through governance arrangements should be supported by meaningful and evidence-based information and recommendations.
• An entity's capability, including the training required for officials engaged in fraud and corruption control, should be proportionate to its operating environment and exposure to fraud and corruption risks.

Related links

• Learn about the Fraud and Corruption Control Framework
• Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework 2024
• Information Sheet: Element 1 – Fraud and corruption risk assessments
• Information Sheet: Element 2 – Fraud and corruption control plans
• Information Sheet: Element 3 – Reviewing control effectiveness
• Information Sheet: Element 5 – Preventing fraud and corruption
• Information Sheet: Element 6 – Detecting fraud and corruption
• Information Sheet: Element 7 – Investigation and other responses
• Information Sheet: Element 8 – Recording and reporting fraud and corruption