• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Overview
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Policy
• Principles
• Controlling Fraud and Corruption Risks
• Public Interest Disclosures
• Responsibilities
• Compliance
• Review
• Section 5 - Procedures and Resources
• Section 6 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This purpose of this policy is to:

1. define the illegal or unacceptable, high risk behaviours that constitute corruption and fraud, and reinforce RMIT’s position of no tolerance for such conduct
2. outline strategies for the management of corruption and fraud risks
3. encourage the highest level of integrity in organisational culture as an essential part of RMIT’s management and corporate governance framework.

Section 2 - Overview

(2) RMIT University is a public institution under Victorian law and stands on Aboriginal Country of the Kulin Nation. RMIT recognises and acknowledges the Bundjil Statement that helps all RMIT staff to respectfully work, live and study on Aboriginal Country.

(3) RMIT is required to uphold public sector values and comply with laws relating to corruption and fraud control laws, and public interest disclosure (or whistleblower) legislation. Where a conflict arises between legislative requirements that apply to RMIT operations, RMIT will adopt the more onerous requirement.

Section 3 - Scope

(4) This policy applies to RMIT University Council members, staff, researchers, students, contractors of the RMIT Group, as well as to any other persons working with or on behalf of the RMIT Group who are notified of the need to comply with this policy.

Section 4 - Policy

Principles

(5) RMIT expects, encourages and supports the highest level of ethical behaviour and has no tolerance for fraudulent or corrupt conduct.

(6) RMIT is committed to the integrity of the organisation and will embed a comprehensive and systematic approach to the effective prevention and management of opportunities for fraud and corruption across all operating areas.

(7) RMIT will be guided by the requirements of procedural fairness and its obligations under public interest disclosure (or whistleblower) legislation when dealing with fraudulent or corrupt conduct allegations.

Controlling Fraud and Corruption Risks

(8) Corrupt conduct at RMIT is any conduct that:

1. adversely affects the honest performance of functions by RMIT Council members, employees or RMIT
2. constitutes or involves the dishonest performance of functions by RMIT Council members, employees or RMIT whether directly or indirectly
3. knowingly or recklessly causes a breach of public trust
4. involves the misuse of information or material acquired at work
5. is a conspiracy or attempt to engage in the above conduct.

(9) Corrupt conduct can take many forms including:

1. offering or taking bribes or secret commissions
2. committing or knowingly facilitating blackmail, fraud, embezzlement, theft, tax evasion, money laundering
3. altering, falsifying or fabricating any record for business or personal benefit
4. dishonestly using a position of influence or trust
5. deliberately failing to declare an actual conflict of interest.
6. withholding information about any of the activities in a) to e) above.

(10) RMIT’s framework for anti-corruption and fraud prevention will ensure:

1. a strong emphasis on training and awareness raising for staff and business areas
2. a culture that supports employees to confidentially report suspected fraud or corruption
3. corruption risks are identified and minimised through effective risk management and reporting
4. anti-corruption controls are developed and incorporated into the policy and operating environment
5. fraudulent and corrupt conduct is appropriately treated and eliminated.

Public Interest Disclosures

(11) A ‘public interest disclosure’ is a disclosure or allegation of improper conduct or detrimental action made under the Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (Vic). RMIT cannot receive and handle statutory public interest disclosures. Public interest disclosures should be made directly to the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).

(12) RMIT will handle non-public interest disclosures or complaints with strict integrity and publish a clear Whistleblower Procedure to ensure that individuals can confidentially report concerns and that such concerns are appropriately investigated and resolved.

(13) RMIT University will appoint a Whistleblower Protection Coordinator with accountability to:

1. advise on the conduct of fraud investigations for the RMIT Group
2. direct people wishing to make a public interest disclosure to IBAC
3. receive confidential communications that are not public interest disclosures under the Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (Vic).

Responsibilities

(14) Council oversees, monitors and receives reports in respect of anti-corruption and fraud matters through its Audit and Risk Management Committee.

(15) The Vice-Chancellor's Executive is responsible for:

1. demonstrating a high-level commitment to the prevention of fraud and corruption
2. assessing the risk of fraud and corruption in accordance with this policy and consistent with the University’s risk management framework
3. ensuring the framework for anti-corruption and fraud prevention is implemented within their areas of responsibility.

(16) All staff of the RMIT Group have a responsibility to:

1. conduct their duties with the utmost regard for the expected standard of behaviour and integrity in accordance with this policy, and other Talent and Culture policies
2. report any corruption or fraud concerns to their line manager, or the Executive Director, Governance, Legal and Strategic Operations, or IBAC for public interest disclosures, as set out in the Whistleblower Procedure.

(17) The Chief People Officer establishes processes for pre-employment screening, investigates any received performance management or misconduct matters and escalates issues that identify potential fraudulent or corrupt conduct, as appropriate.

(18) The Executive Director, Governance, Legal and Strategic Operations is the delegated Whistleblower Coordinator responsible for:

1. maintenance, review and coordination of the implementation of this policy and associated guidance, determining how suspected fraud or corruption is to be handled
2. the proper conduct of investigations in breach of this policy
3. internal and external mandatory reporting, as required.
4. Risk, Audit and Compliance monitors compliance trends, risk profiles and improvement opportunities under this policy.

Compliance

(19) Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including summary termination of employment or engagement, and referral to law enforcement agencies. Breach of the law may also lead to personal liability such as fines or imprisonment. The high penalties for corruption and fraud, and protection of the public interest reflect the seriousness of the activities and their consequence.

(20) Student non-compliance may result in student conduct action under the Student Conduct Policy.

(21) The following policies and documents regulate appropriate practices and behaviours, and should be read in conjunction with this policy:

1. Whistleblower Procedure
2. Code of Conduct
3. Conflict of Interest Policy
4. Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy
5. Risk Management Policy
6. Workplace Behaviour Policy [in development]
7. Student Conduct Policy

Review

(22) This policy will be reviewed at least once every three years in accordance with the Policy Governance Framework.

Section 5 - Procedures and Resources

(23) Refer to the following documents which are established in accordance with this policy:

1. Whistleblower Procedure

Section 6 - Definitions