National Integrity Framework

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 and National Sporting Organisations for people with Disability have signed up to the Framework since it was rolled out in 2021 is testament to their commitment to addressing issues of integrity in sport.

Australia now 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.

Reviewing the Framework

A review of the Framework and its policies was carried out over 2022 and 2023 and involved consultations with sports and consideration of our own work in the process.

See the Resources section on this page to access the updated policies.

Sports signed up to the Framework

Sports who adopt the Framework are taking a great step towards building a national system working to keep sport clean, fair and safe for all. More than 80 recognised National Sporting Organisations and National Sporting Organisations for people with Disability have adopted the Framework and its policies.  

SPORTS SIGNED UP TO THE FRAMEWORK

Policy templates

The National Integrity Framework policy templates have been developed by Sport Integrity Australia in consultation with sport sector partners as a best practice and consistent approach to protecting against integrity threats in sport. Sport Integrity Australia is working closely with National Sporting Organisations (NSO) and National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability (NSOD) recognised by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to implement and embed the Framework in their sports.

Only ASC recognised NSOs/NSODs and approved other organisations are able to adopt the Framework in its entirety and access Sport Integrity Australia’s independent complaint handling service for matters relating to Child/Young Person safeguarding and Discrimination on the basis of a Protected Characteristic. Other organisations that are interested in utilising components of Framework policies should contact the Sport Partnerships team at Sport Integrity Australia to discuss and seek guidance.

Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

Member Protection Policy

Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy

Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy

Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy

Resources 

The National Integrity Framework is a set of rules that all members of a sport need to follow when it comes to their behaviour and conduct in sport. Following are resources to help inform athletes and sports about the Framework, as well as resources and guides to assist sports manage matters outside of our statutory functions.

GO TO THE RESOURCES HUB