Reporting Suspected Fraud

Fraud against Australian Government agencies is a major concern to the Australian Government. As taxpayers, we are all responsible for ensuring fraud is kept to a minimum.

How to report suspected fraud or misconduct against the Department of Social Services

All reports of suspected fraudulent activity committed against the Department of Social Services (DSS) and its programs, unless considered to be frivolous or vexatious, will be investigated.

If you report suspected fraud or misconduct, your privacy and confidentiality will be respected. After submitting your report, a DSS fraud investigator may contact you to verify the report and clear up any ambiguities.

You are free to make an anonymous report. However, a thorough investigation based on anonymous information is difficult because issues cannot be clarified, additional information cannot be sought from the person making the report and, feedback cannot be provided.

To report a suspected fraud or misconduct against DSS

  • contact the DSS Fraud Hotline number 1800 054 312, or
  • email fraud@dss.gov.au

People using the Internet should take care not to send sensitive information via email or attachments to emails. If you have information that requires secure transmission, please contact the DSS Audit and Assurance Branch by leaving a message, with contact details, on the DSS Fraud Hotline number. A DSS fraud investigator will return your call so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

If you wish to report a fraud relating to program funding managed by DSS and do not wish to submit your report via the Internet or the DSS Fraud Hotline you may forward it in writing to the following address:

The Branch Manager
Audit and Assurance Branch
Department of Social Services
GPO Box 9820
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia

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