PKF Australia's whistleblower hotline protects employees, leaders and organisations by making disclosures of misconduct easier for corporates to manage, protect and act on.
Whistleblower program
Whistleblower program
Propel
your
future
When it matters most, your people need a safe place to speak up.
Why an anonymous complaints program protects your organisation
Silence is expensive. Misconduct left unchecked erodes culture, reputation and performance. But when people know they can speak up safely, organisations build trust, resilience and accountability. That’s where PKF Australia comes in.
PKF’s whistleblower program gives your people a secure, anonymous and/or confidential way to raise concerns about misconduct, fraud, theft, harassment, bullying, discrimination, insubordination, breaches of confidentiality, workplace violence and any other unethical or unprofessional behaviour. The program aims to give leadership the clarity and confidence to act early on these issues and protect both disclosers and the organisation.
What we provide
Our service works around the clock
Our service gives your people multiple safe pathways to disclose concerns; via a 24/7 hotline, secure online portal or dedicated email.
Our service includes use of a secure system
Every disclosure is captured in our encrypted disclosure management system, which can be deployed in under 24 hours. The system also acts as a case management system.
Our service goes beyond the misconduct report
We provide independent oversight, act as an intermediary to protect anonymity, and when needed, conduct impartial forensic investigations.
Do you need a whistleblower policy? Australia’s requirements explained
Australian law requires certain companies to maintain a whistleblower policy. These requirements have applied since 1 January 2020.
Under the Corporations Act, this includes:
Public companies
Including those limited by a guarantee.
Large proprietary companies
Meeting at least two of the following: consolidated revenue of A$50m+, consolidated gross assets of A$25m+, or 100+ employees.
Proprietary companies
Acting as trustees of registrable superannuation entities.
Even where the law does not require it, ASIC encourages all organisations to adopt arrangements that protect whistleblowers and meet confidentiality obligations.
Handling misconduct in the workplace is rarely straightforward. Employees may hesitate to speak up, fearing retaliation or doubting that their concerns will be addressed or remain confidential. Investigations are often complex, involving careful fact-gathering, legal compliance, and sensitive management of multiple parties. Misconduct can touch critical areas like procurement, finance, or governance, where mistakes carry real operational and reputational risk. These challenges make it clear that organisations need a structured, independent, and secure process that protects both the discloser and the business.
Under Public Interest Disclosures Acts, local & state government bodies that require a policy include:
- State public sector agencies, statutory authorities and public departments
- Local governments / councils
- Public universities and government trading enterprises
- Public bodies classified as “public authorities” under the relevant PID legislation
These laws vary by jurisdiction:
- In Western Australia the PID Act 2003 (WA) applies
- In South Australia the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 (SA) applies,
- In the Australian Capital Territory the PID Act 2012 (ACT) applies,
- In Victoria, the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (Vic),
- In New South Wales the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (NSW) governs state-level requirements.
Even where a government body isn’t strictly required by law to have PID procedures, best practice and integrity obligations strongly encourage adoption of policies to protect disclosers, ensure transparency, and safeguard public trust.
PKF Australia’s anonymous complaints program process
Our corporate complaints and whistleblower program guides every disclosure from submission to resolution. Using PKF Australia’s whistleblower program ensures reports of misconduct are captured securely, reviewed independently, and passed to the right people for action; all while keeping the discloser’s anonymity and confidentiality intact.
Here's what it looks like:
Frequently asked questions about PKF’s whistleblower program
How does PKF ensure impartiality in investigations of misconduct?
PKF maintains strict independence throughout the investigation process.
Investigators have no conflicts of interest, and disclosures are handled without influence from the organisation’s management.
This impartial approach ensures outcomes are fair, credible, and legally compliant.
Can multiple disclosures about the same issue be managed without breaching confidentiality?
Yes.
PKF’s secure disclosure management system allows multiple reports regarding the same concern to be logged and assessed without revealing the identity of any discloser.
Each report is treated individually while maintaining confidentiality, ensuring protection for all parties.
What reporting options are available for disclosers?
PKF offers multiple avenues for disclosure, including a secure online portal, email, and a hotline telephone available 24/7.
This flexibility ensures that all disclosers can raise concerns in a way that feels safe and accessible to them.
How are trends or repeated issues monitored across the organisation?
PKF’s system has a reporting analytics function that can assist in identifying patterns or recurring issues.
This provides governance teams with valuable insights to address systemic risks, improve processes, and strengthen organisational integrity.
What support is available to employees after making a disclosure?
PKF helps organisations maintain communication with disclosers as appropriate, providing updates on investigation progress while preserving confidentiality.
This ensures employees feel heard, supported, and reassured that their concerns are being taken seriously and are being addressed.
Get started
Protect your people. Protect your organisation. PKF’s whistleblower program is unique in acting as an intermediary for anonymous disclosures while also offering independent follow-on investigations. Get in touch now, if you need to address misconduct or safeguard against it later.
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