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Whistleblower protection
Last updated June 2019
This chapter explains the laws that provide safeguards to people who report misconduct, or dishonest or illegal activity that has occurred within their organisation.
How are whistleblowers protected?
Australian laws provide important safeguards for whistleblowers.
Definition: Whistleblower
A whistleblower is an insider within an organisation who reports misconduct, or dishonest or illegal activity that has occurred within their organisation.
A whistleblower is an insider within an organisation who reports misconduct, or dishonest or illegal activity that has occurred within their organisation.
The laws providing whistleblower protection are:
- Part 9.4AAA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corps law); and
- Part 3.1 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act).
Important: Public sector whistleblowing laws also apply for disclosures about matters relating to government agencies.