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What is fraud?
Fraud is the deliberate act of dishonestly obtaining (including attempting to obtain) a benefit or causing a loss or risk of loss through deception or other unlawful means. A benefit may include money, property, information, or power. Fraud is intentional—it is not an accident.
Examples of fraud risks that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (the department) actively manage in relation to the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) includes:
- Misusing identity or using a false identity
- Lodging false or altered claims
- Providing falsified documents or verification data
- Diverting funds paid under FEG
- Colluding with others to deceive
- Stealing confidential information
How the department manages FEG fraud
The department has zero tolerance for fraud against the FEG. The department applies a comprehensive fraud and non-compliance framework built on its Fraud and Corruption Strategy, using three key pillars:
Prevention
- Raising fraud awareness among claimants, verifiers, and staff
- Conducting regular fraud risk assessments
- Mandatory fraud awareness training for departmental staff
- Maintaining and improving policies, procedures, and IT system controls and checks to deter fraud
Detection
- Encouraging reporting by claimants, staff, and the public
- Sharing information with other government agencies
- Using data matching and screening to identify red flags
- Conducting random audits and compliance checks
Response
- Assessing all suspected fraud reports
- Investigating allegations or referring matters to law enforcement
- Pursuing criminal, civil, administrative, or disciplinary action
- Recovering funds obtained through fraudulent activity
Suspected FEG fraud that cannot be investigated
The department’s FEG Compliance area can only investigate fraudulent or corrupt activity that involves FEG or is targeted it. It cannot investigate matters outside the scope of FEG, such as:
- Fraud or corruption related to Centrelink, Medicare, child support, or other Commonwealth benefits (report via Services Australia)
- Visa or residency fraud (report via Department of Home Affairs)
- Underpayment of superannuation or fraudulent tax activity (report via Australian Taxation Office)
- Workplace issues such as underpayment or termination (report via Fair Work Ombudsman).
For general information about reporting fraud and corruption see the department’s How to Report Fraud and Corruption page.
Reporting suspected fraud against FEG
If you suspect fraud related to FEG, you can report it through:
- Phone: Call the FEG Hotline on 1300 135 040 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm AEST/ADST)
- Email: Send a report to FEGCompliance@dewr.gov.au
- Mail:
FEG Compliance Team
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
GPO Box 9828
Canberra ACT 2601 - Online: Submit an anonymous tip-off via the department’s online reporting tool Whispli
You do not need to provide your name or contact details, but you should include as much information as possible to assist the investigation. What makes a good tip-off includes:
- Who is involved in the suspected fraud.
- Details of suspected fraud, including what happened, how and when it occurred, and who was involved.
- How you became aware of the suspected fraud. For example, did you witness it or hear about it? If from someone else, provide their details if possible.
- Any evidence you have of the suspected fraud. For example. copies of documents, emails, electronic records, or other physical evidence.
- Your relationship (if any) to the person or organisation involved (e.g., current or former employee, claimant).
- Whether you have reported this to another agency.
- Any other information you have that may assist the investigation.
Find out more about the department’s approach to fraud corruption control.
All personal information is protected under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). For more details, see the department’s Privacy Notice.