Our investigations are robust, thorough and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of those involved.
When we engage with complainants we actively assess whether there is any risk to their safety and will engage with other agencies such as the Police where we think we need their intervention to address that risk.
We offer – and encourage for anyone involved in an investigation – free and confidential counselling services from an independent provider. This offer is ongoing throughout an investigation process. We make sure we prioritise the wellbeing of complainants.
We can also open an investigation into claims of retaliation or victimisation from those who take part in investigations. This is often a real concern for those who make complaints to us and it’s vital that people can speak to us without fear of adverse consequences for speaking out.
We aim to keep everyone appropriately informed. We engage with and update affected organisations and individuals to make sure they’re aware of any ongoing investigation.
Investigations are broad and complex and take time
When we open an investigation, it is reserved for large, complex or systemic matters that reach the public interest threshold under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act (the Act). It will usually be broad and complicated, in some cases involving a multitude of people or organisations.
We understand the importance of timely investigations, and that there can be frustration when matters take time to resolve.
However, everyone involved – from the complainants to those who are the subject of an investigation – has the right to be heard in whatever way feels safest for them. That takes time.
We will never rush an investigation. While we aim to progress matters as efficiently as possible. Our focus is on ensuring our work is fair, thorough and protects the rights and confidentiality of those involved.
We don’t usually respond to questions about investigations
We don’t typically respond to public questions about investigations – or confirm if an investigation is ongoing. This is because we are legally required to protect the privacy of those involved (particularly complainants) and preserve the integrity of the process. Some complainants may feel reluctant to speak out if they think we will discuss the matter in public.
In some cases, if there is a high level of public interest and the existence of the process has already been acknowledged, we may speak in general terms about how our investigations work. Our starting point for these decisions is always care for the people involved and the responsibility we have to manage these processes carefully.
How we deal with complaints
We have received hundreds of integrity complaints since the establishment of the Commission.
The vast majority of these are dealt with by our dispute resolution team through education, guidance, facilitated conversations, mediations and other forms of dispute resolution. As organisations adopt the Integrity Code, breaches of that Code can be addressed through investigations under s31 of the Act.
Investigations under s32 of the Act were intended to be for a very small number of cases that met the high public interest threshold (reserved for large and complex cases). This has proved to be the case in practice.
Most complaints are in-scope and resolved early
We received 283 complaints last year. Of these:
165 (58%) were resolved
73 (26%) were active (as at 30 June 2025)
45 (16%) were out of scope
Our role is defined by legislation, which shapes what we can and cannot do. Some matters sit more appropriately with other bodies that have the relevant powers or responsibilities.
For example, employment decisions sit with employers, and criminal behaviour will be for the Police or other law enforcement agencies.
We do not have the power to provisionally suspend a person who is part of an investigation from a sport or recreation organisation.
Where we cannot act, we seek to be clear about this and, where possible, work with people to understand what other pathways are available.
We can carry out a section 32 investigation in organisations not bound by the Integrity Code when:
we consider the matter to be a threat to integrity; and
we think an investigation is in the public interest.
Our investigations are robust, thorough and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of those involved.
When we engage with complainants we actively assess whether there is any risk to their safety and will engage with other agencies such as the Police where we think we need their intervention to address that risk.
We offer – and encourage for anyone involved in an investigation – free and confidential counselling services from an independent provider. This offer is ongoing throughout an investigation process. We make sure we prioritise the wellbeing of complainants.
We can also open an investigation into claims of retaliation or victimisation from those who take part in investigations. This is often a real concern for those who make complaints to us and it’s vital that people can speak to us without fear of adverse consequences for speaking out.
We aim to keep everyone appropriately informed. We engage with and update affected organisations and individuals to make sure they’re aware of any ongoing investigation.
Investigations are broad and complex and take time
When we open an investigation, it is reserved for large, complex or systemic matters that reach the public interest threshold under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act (the Act). It will usually be broad and complicated, in some cases involving a multitude of people or organisations.
We understand the importance of timely investigations, and that there can be frustration when matters take time to resolve.
However, everyone involved – from the complainants to those who are the subject of an investigation – has the right to be heard in whatever way feels safest for them. That takes time.
We will never rush an investigation. While we aim to progress matters as efficiently as possible. Our focus is on ensuring our work is fair, thorough and protects the rights and confidentiality of those involved.
We don’t usually respond to questions about investigations
We don’t typically respond to public questions about investigations – or confirm if an investigation is ongoing. This is because we are legally required to protect the privacy of those involved (particularly complainants) and preserve the integrity of the process. Some complainants may feel reluctant to speak out if they think we will discuss the matter in public.
In some cases, if there is a high level of public interest and the existence of the process has already been acknowledged, we may speak in general terms about how our investigations work. Our starting point for these decisions is always care for the people involved and the responsibility we have to manage these processes carefully.
How we deal with complaints
We have received hundreds of integrity complaints since the establishment of the Commission.
The vast majority of these are dealt with by our dispute resolution team through education, guidance, facilitated conversations, mediations and other forms of dispute resolution. As organisations adopt the Integrity Code, breaches of that Code can be addressed through investigations under s31 of the Act.
Investigations under s32 of the Act were intended to be for a very small number of cases that met the high public interest threshold (reserved for large and complex cases). This has proved to be the case in practice.
Most complaints are in-scope and resolved early
We received 283 complaints last year. Of these:
165 (58%) were resolved
73 (26%) were active (as at 30 June 2025)
45 (16%) were out of scope
Our role is defined by legislation, which shapes what we can and cannot do. Some matters sit more appropriately with other bodies that have the relevant powers or responsibilities.
For example, employment decisions sit with employers, and criminal behaviour will be for the Police or other law enforcement agencies.
We do not have the power to provisionally suspend a person who is part of an investigation from a sport or recreation organisation.
Where we cannot act, we seek to be clear about this and, where possible, work with people to understand what other pathways are available.
