Legislation and standards

Public Interest Disclosure Act

We are the oversight agency for the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (the PID Act). 

The main objects of the PID Act are to:

• promote the public interest by facilitating the reporting of PIDs in the public sector; and
• ensure that PIDs are properly assessed and, when appropriate, properly investigated and dealt with; and
• ensure that appropriate consideration is given to the interests of the alleged wrongdoer/s to which the PID relates; and
• protect those making PIDs from reprisal.

Public Interest Disclosure standards

The PID standards, issued by the Ombudsman under section 60 of the PID Act detail the minimum actions public entities must take when preparing for and responding to a PIDs. These standards are:

• Public Interest Disclosure Standard No. 1/2019 – Public Interest Disclosure Management Program  (PDF168.4KB)
• Public Interest Disclosure Standard No. 2/2019 – Assessing, Investigating and Dealing with Public Interest Disclosures (PDF257.2KB) 
• Public Interest Disclosure Standard No. 3/2019 – Public Interest Disclosure Data Recording and Reporting (PDF117.8KB) 

Learn more about Public interest disclosures.