Internal Audit

Our vision:

The Internal Audit Directorate within South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) provides an independent, objective assurance and consulting service to add value and improve SESLHD’s operation

Internal Audit helps SESLHD accomplish its objectives by:

  • Bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes across all activities.
  • Assist management in conducting fraud and corruption Investigations and report such matters to the relevant authorities when applicable.
  • Providing and facilitating training on internal controls, fraud and corruption awareness and public interest disclosures.

Public Interest Disclosure (PID)

SESLHD is committed to being open and accountable by encouraging staff to raise their concerns about serious wrongdoing and by providing protection for those staff who speak out about wrongdoing.

A public interest disclosure (PID) is a report made by a public official that relates to serious wrongdoing which is a matter of public interest – namely:

  • Corrupt conduct (e.g., the improper use of knowledge, power or position for personal gain)
  • Maladministration (e.g., deciding or taking an unlawful action)
  • Serious and substantial waste (e.g., not following a competitive tendering process for a large-scale contract)
  • Government information contravention (e.g., destroying, concealing or altering records to prevent them from being released)

Staff are encouraged to report any suspected wrongdoing they encounter within NSW Health. In most cases, the wrongdoing should initially be reported to a manager or supervisor. However, reports about categories of serious misconduct listed above should be made to the Principal Officer (Chief Executive), the PID coordinator (Director, Internal Audit) or PID officers.

What to do if you want to make a report

You can make your report to the following:

  • The Chief Executive
    SESLHD District Executive
    Locked Mail Bag
    21 Taren Point NSW 2229
    Phone: 9382 7853
    Fax: 9540 8757
    Email: seslhd-mail@health.nsw.gov.au
  • NSW Ministry of Health
    The Associate Director
    Corporate Governance and Risk Management
    NSW Ministry of Health
    Locked Bag 2030
    St Leonards NSW 1590
    Phone: 9391 9654
  • Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
    GPO Box 500,
    Sydney NSW 2001    
    Phone: 9264 5364
    Email: icac@icac.nsw.gov.au
  • The NSW Ombudsman
    Level 24, 580 George St,
    Sydney NSW 2001    
    Phone: 9286 1000
    Email: pid@ombo.nsw.gov.au

Preferred format for reporting a PID

Reports can be made anonymously via mail, telephone or email. The preferred format for a public interest disclosure is in writing, however a disclosure made verbally (either face-to-face or over the telephone) will be protected if it meets the legislative requirements for a public interest disclosure.

The advantages of a disclosure made in writing are:

  • It provides an accurate record of the disclosure
  • It avoids confusion or misrepresentation
  • It facilitates the inclusion of supporting information

Please consider that a report made anonymously where the reporter/discloser cannot be contacted may prolong the assessment and management period of the report. If you wish to remain anonymous, an email alias can be used so that communication can occur between reporter and the Disclosures Coordinator.

Upcoming changes to the PID Act

The reworked Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 was assented on the 13th of April 2022 which sets to replace the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 (PID Act 1994). The new PID act will be effective on the 13th of October 2023, however, compliance with the PID Act 1994 should be upheld in the interim.

The new PID Act 2022 is a rework of the PID Act 1994. Although the new Act shares the same objective as the previous version, key changes are highlighted below:

The PID Act 2022:

  • Contains fewer risks for reporters (i.e., expanding the permissible recipients of PIDs to include all managers and the head of any agency)
  • Provides comprehensive safeguards for witnesses and those involved in PIDs investigations
  • Clarifies roles and responsibilities to manage disclosures systematically
  • Introduces enhanced measures to encourage a ‘speak up culture’ within agencies (e.g. enhanced requirements around policies and training).
  • Facilitates more comprehensive and meaningful reporting of data about PIDs.
  • The NSW Ombudsman will run an audit tool to capture specific information on how matters are managed including time parameters.