Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UniSA Whistleblower Hotline?
The UniSA Whistleblower Hotline is an independent and confidential service available to receive disclosures relating to Public Interest information.
What can be reported?
Any suspected wrongdoing relating to matters of public interest, including corruption, maladministration and misconduct.
Why does UniSA have an external whistleblower service?
UniSA believes that all staff members and other stakeholders should be able to assist in ensuring UniSA maintains its status as an ethical institution. UniSA is adopting best practice in this aspect of corporate governance and will be compliant with international and Australian corporate governance standards.
How do I make a report?
UniSA has engaged an independent service to manage the receipt, recording and reporting of suspected wrongdoing relating to matters of public interest, including corruption, maladministration and misconduct. Stopline is an independent, confidential and impartial service and has people experienced in handling sensitive information from stakeholders. This service is accessible through the Addressing Workplace Concerns website.
Who is Stopline?
Stopline is an Australian company which specialises in providing integrity/whistleblowing services. It has been operating for over 20 years and assists listed and private companies, local, state and Commonwealth public sector bodies and not-for-profit organisations. Further details are available at www.stopline.com.au
Do I have to give my name?
No. Your report to Stopline can, if you wish, be anonymous and Stopline staff will not ask for any personal details. If you do not wish to remain anonymous, this information may be provided to the Responsible Officer at UniSA. If you choose to remain anonymous Stopline will issue a confidential reference and password should you wish to seek the status of your disclosure at a later date.
If I make a complaint regarding suspected misconduct, how will I be protected?
UniSA is committed to the protection of genuine Whistleblowers against action taken in reprisal for the making of protected disclosures. Maintaining confidentiality is a crucial component of this protection. UniSA has appointed Stopline to enhance confidentiality and anonymity, where requested, within UniSA with respect to Whistleblower procedures. Whistleblowers are given protections under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 (SA).
How does Stopline work?
Stopline enables staff, contractors and stakeholders to report in good faith, suspected wrongdoing via telephone, email, internet or mail, to an independent organisation with trained staff who will receive your concerns confidentially (anonymously if you wish) and provide the confidential information to the Responsible Officer at UniSA. The program then necessitates procedural requirements dealing with and finalising the outcome of the disclosure.
Who and what is the Whistleblower Protection Officer?
The Head: Risk and Assurance Services within UniSA acts as UniSA’s Responsible Officer and is responsible for ensuring that all complaints are handled appropriately. The Responsible Officer is responsible for UniSA’s role in managing disclosures and being the contact point for both Stopline and UniSA.
When should I contact Stopline?
You can contact Stopline when you have knowledge of any suspected wrongdoing relating to matters of public interest, including corruption, maladministration and misconduct by a staff member and/or contractor.
At what time can I contact Stopline?
You can call Stopline on 1300 30 45 50 (in Australia) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A Stopline staff member will answer your call during business hours (0800 – 1800 Mon – Fri AEST). Any messages left with the overnight team will be responded to within one working day. You can also send your disclosure via the internet (this website), email, or mail.
As a staff member, how do I know that somebody won't just make some false claim to settle a personal grudge?
The strength of Stopline is that all allegations will be professionally managed by trained Stopline staff. The experience of Stopline is that vexatious reports occur very infrequently. Stopline focuses on the message, not the messenger.
Will I be kept informed about the result of making a report?
Yes. You will be kept advised about the status of the report, decisions made regarding how the matter is to be handled, time frames that apply and the result of any investigation and action taken as that information is communicated with Stopline. If you choose to remain anonymous, you will be issued with a confidential reference and password and must initiate contact through one of the methods outlined on the home page to receive feedback.
If I make a report will I be liable anyway?
Where a person who makes a disclosure is implicated in the wrongdoing, UniSA will use all reasonable efforts to protect the individual from reprisals; however the act of reporting improper conduct may not shield the person from the reasonable consequences flowing from any involvement in wrongdoing.
How is this different to lodging a complaint?
The UniSA Whistleblower Hotline is specifically for disclosing any suspected wrongdoing relating to matters of public interest, including corruption, maladministration and misconduct as disclosures of this nature may be eligible to receive protections under the PID Act and Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Other complaints not relating to matters of public interest should be reported through the appropriate internal channels. The Addressing Workplace Concerns webpage provides guidance on the most appropriate channels to raise a concern.
How do I determine if my issue falls under the public interest disclosure?
Matters of public interest, including corruption, maladministration and misconduct nature may be eligible to receive whistleblowing protections. To determine if a disclosure may qualify, please read the UniSA Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblowing) Policy and Procedure.
Who can use this service?
Any person making a disclosure of:
- information in the public interest concerning the University
- environmental and health related information
- University Council members, staff, titleholders, volunteers, adjuncts, affiliates or contractors
Where else can I obtain information about the hotline and related services?
Full details are available on UniSA’s Addressing Workplace Concerns webpage.