National Integrity Framework
A safe, fair and healthy sporting environment
We rolled out the National Integrity Framework to sports in March 2021. The Framework is essentially a set of rules that all members of a sport need to follow when it comes to their behaviour and conduct in sport.
Why was the Framework needed?
Since the commissioning of The Report of the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements (Wood Review) presented to the Australian Government in March 2018 and development of the Safeguarding the Integrity of Sport—the Government Response to the Wood Review released in February 2019, the national sporting landscape has changed significantly.
The Wood Review recommendation of a national coordination body (Sport Integrity Australia) remains central to managing threats to the integrity of sport in Australia.
Following the release in 2020 of the Athlete A documentary regarding alleged sexual abuse of young female gymnasts in the United States, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) undertook an independent review of gymnastics in Australia.
Among its recommendations, the AHRC urged that all matters regarding child abuse and neglect, misconduct, bullying, sexual harassment and assault be investigated independently and externally of the sport.
As a result, the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia worked with us to introduce independent complaint handling arrangements for sport integrity matters under the National Integrity Framework.
Sport recognised the need for a National Integrity Framework, too. The fact that so many recognised national sporting organisations have signed up to the Framework is testament to their commitment to addressing issues of integrity in sport.
For the first time Australia has a consistent set of policies across all sport. For the first time we have national standards regardless of which sport an athlete participates in. Together, we have drawn a line at the behaviours that have no place in sport.
Sports signed up to the Framework
By the end of 2022, the Framework and the policies under it were adopted by 81 recognised National Sporting Organisations or National Sporting Organisations for people with Disability. This acceptance by sports was a great step forward in creating a national system to support efforts to keep sport clean, fair and safe for all.
SPORTS SIGNED UP TO THE FRAMEWORK
The Review
What we are doing is a world first. Australia is breaking new ground with a process to deal with integrity issues in sport. As such, it is important that any new process is reviewed so it remains true to its intent and addresses the contemporary issues faced by sports.
We are carrying out a review of the National Integrity Framework, which has involved a wide-ranging consultation with sports, as well as consideration of our own work under the Framework.
Many sports have provided us with feedback through the review. Our work on sports’ feedback continues and will inform future policy amendments.
Review requires immediate changes
While we will continue to play a vital national coordination role regarding integrity complaints, we are seeking the assistance of sports to adopt the updated Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy to take immediate effect.
COMPLAINTS, DISPUTES AND DISCIPLINES POLICY (UPDATED FEBRUARY 2023)
Resources for sports
Where we can no longer play a role in matters that fall outside of our statutory functions, we have prepared resources and guides to assist sports manage matters.
INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS GUIDELINES
CASE CATEGORISATION & GUIDANCE FOR SANCTIONS BOOKLET
STANDARDS & PROHIBITED CONDUCT GUIDE
Making a complaint or report
For those who wish to make an integrity complaint or report, we have updated our online web form to reflect the updated Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.
INTEGRITY COMPLAINTS PROCESS INFORMATION AND RESOURCES