Our Quarterly Issue 6
Welcome from Esther Bogaart
Welcome to issue 6 of the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre's quarterly newsletter.
We have finalised our recruitment process and soon will be welcoming a team of new specialists to help us strengthen counter fraud arrangements across the Australian Government. Thank you to everyone that expressed interest in joining our team.
Next month we will be releasing our future work plan. Currently, we are engaging with stakeholders to understand their perspectives and needs to make sure our work closely aligns with key priorities.
I invite any ideas or feedback for the Centre to be sent to via the contact us form. We appreciate your continued collaboration and support and look forward to working with you into the future.
Wrap up of our 2021 quarter 2 achievements
We continued to achieve results this quarter while also seeking continued funding for the next 4 years.
Check out our quarter 2 achievements
New releases from us
Suitability Assessment Toolkit
Suitability assessments can help you make informed decisions about whether individuals or businesses are suitable to deliver a program, support or service on behalf of the Australian Government.
Our Suitability Assessment Toolkit identifies a range of tools Australian Government entities can use to assess the suitability of third parties and prevent fraud.
Email info@counterfraud.gov.au to request a copy.
Information Sharing Mapping Project Outcomes Report
Connecting data and information held across entities can help prevent, detect and respond to fraud against the Australian Government.
We worked with 11 entities and mapped dozens of information sharing arrangements to counter fraud. This helped us better understand how they work and develop a collective picture of the information sharing environment. We were also able to identify and provide advice about 10 key factors that either help or hinder information sharing.
We made some key findings that can help us collectively strengthen information sharing efforts to counter fraud across the Australian Government.
Email info@counterfraud.gov.au to request a copy of the report.
New case studies on CounterFraud.gov.au
We have recently uploaded new case studies to our growing online register.
Case studies are an effective way to identify and communicate the risks and impacts of fraud.
Use the filter functions to find case studies that are relevant to your entity and programs.
You can also contribute case studies by emailing us at info@counterfraud.gov.au or submitting them directly through CounterFraud.gov.au.
Continuing our journey to build data capability
Learn about the progress we have made since July 2019 to build data capability across the Australian Government to find and fight fraud.
2021 Fraud Data Sharing and Analytics Conference
On 28 April 2021, we brought together creative and experienced government data analysts and counter fraud practitioners to trial innovative advanced data sharing solutions to tackle the complex problem of fraud.
2021 International Data Forum
We partnered with the US Pandemic Responsibility Accountability Committee to organise an international data forum on pandemic response oversight. Colleagues from the Australian Taxation Office and Services Australia presented at the virtual event, which brought together experts from the US, UK and Australia to discuss innovative ways data was used to prevent and detect fraud in pandemic response programs.
To read more on the international data forum go to our website.
Counter fraud podcast
Our special counter fraud episode of the Institute of Public Administration Australia’s Work with Purpose podcast series is out now. The podcast features:
- Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Integrity and Security Division, Attorney-General’s Department
- Mark Cheeseman, Director of the Counter Fraud Function, UK Cabinet Office
- Julie Read, Chief Executive, New Zealand Serious Fraud Office.
This episode reflects on why countering fraud is important, the importance of changing the narrative around finding fraud, and international collaboration when combatting fraud during COVID-19.
You can listen to the episode and read the transcript on IPAA’s website, or search for ‘Work with Purpose’ on podcast apps.
Australian Institute of Criminology Fraud Census
Over the past few months, we have been hosting one-on-one consultations with stakeholders across the Australian Government to discuss their experience with the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) Fraud Census, and to obtain a better understanding of how the questions could be improved.
The AIC will use your feedback on the annual Fraud Census to make it more concise and easier to complete.
The AIC is also developing tailored entity-level reports to help you compare your entity’s fraud census data against other similar entities.
To read more on the AIS Fraud Census update go to our website.
Serious Financial Crime Taskforce
The Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT) is an Australian Taxation Office-led joint-agency taskforce that brings together the knowledge, resources and experience of relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies to identify and address the most serious and complex forms of financial crime.
SFCT has recently started an awareness raising campaign to help Australians better understand:
- how serious financial crime affects the community
- the kinds of criminals involved
- the warning signs to look out for.
Explore a range of SFCT campaign resources on the Australian Taxation Office's website
Australian standards now include pressure testing
Standards Australia has updated the Fraud and Corruption Control Standard (AS 8001:2021) to provide minimum requirements for entities wanting to develop, implement and maintain effective fraud and corruption control systems.
This includes:
- a requirement for pressure testing and information security management systems consistent with the latest requirements for IT security management
- guidance on the roles of governing bodies and top management
- whistle-blower protections.
The AS 8001:2021 has had a significant impact on fraud and corruption control in Australian entities and is widely regarded as a benchmark for fraud control. This updated standard recognises and responds to increases in cyber-attack and technology enabled fraud, and provides better guidance on the accountability of boards and senior management in controlling organisational fraud and corruption risk.