The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) has administered an annual census on fraud against the Commonwealth since 2006. This report presents the results from the 2024–25 census, which collected responses from 162 Australian Government entities.
In 2024–25, 40 percent of entities (n=64) received or detected a total of 14,323 allegations of internal fraud and corruption. Program information was the principal target in the cases where an allegation of internal fraud or corruption was substantiated. Monetary losses and recoveries from internal fraud and corruption were approximately $2.4m and $600,000 respectively.
Thirty-six percent of entities (n=58) received or detected external fraud allegations in 2024–25, reporting a total of 348,072 allegations. Most external frauds where the allegation was substantiated targeted program payments. External fraud losses reported for 2024–25 were $110.7m and recoveries totalled $5.8m.
References
URLs correct as at April 2026
Attorney-General’s Department 2024. Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework 2024. Canberra: Attorney-General’s Department. https://www.counterfraud.gov.au/library/framework-2024
Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) 2025. APS Agencies – size and function. https://www.apsc.gov.au/aps-agencies-size-and-function
Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre 2026. Testing the effectiveness of fraud controls. https://www.counterfraud.gov.au/access-tools-and-guidance/testing-effectiveness-fraud-controls
Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre 2025. Guide to incorporating corruption control into risk management frameworks. Canberra: Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre. https://www.counterfraud.gov.au/library/guide-incorporating-corruption-control-risk-management-frameworks
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) 2025. Annual report 2024–25. Canberra: National Anti-Corruption Commission. https://www.nacc.gov.au/about-nacc/accountability-and-reporting
Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Definitions
- Reporting classification
- Census data collection
- Additional data collection
- Limitations
- Fraud and corruption control arrangements
- Compliance with the Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework
- Internal fraud and corruption against the Commonwealth
- Allegations received and detected
- Internal fraud and corruption investigations and other responses
- External fraud against the Commonwealth
- Allegations received and detected
- External fraud investigations and other responses
- Investigating and prosecuting fraud and corruption
- AFP investigations
- CDPP prosecutions
- NACC referrals and investigations
- Summary
- Areas of risk
- Estimated costs of fraud and corruption
- Fraud and corruption control
- Investigation and prosecution
- References
- Appendix