We are committed to providing a high level of service and to conducting its activities ethically and with integrity. This commitment is reflected in our Service Charter and Code of Conduct.
We welcome feedback on our performance, including complaints. Complaints can assist us to evaluate and improve its services. They can be in relation to any number of matters and may include the actions and conduct of staff.
Making a complaint
In making a complaint it will help if you could explain:
- what action or decision is the cause of your complaint
- what specifically is your complaint
- what are the implications of the action or decision for you
- what is the preferred outcome or result you are seeking.
We will acknowledge your complaint and seek to resolve the matter in a timely manner.
Confidentiality and procedural fairness
Your complaint and your personal information will be kept confidential and will only be provided to staff within CSIRO who have a need to know about the complaint for the purposes of responding to you or taking appropriate action.
If you make an anonymous complaint we may not be able to conduct a full investigation of your complaint or be able to refer the matter to the appropriate area.
Reports or allegations of misconduct by CSIRO or a staff member, including fraudulent activity must be in writing with the exception of disclosures by 'Public Officials' through the CSIRO Public Interest Disclosure Scheme (see below) which may be written or oral.
Please mark all correspondence 'Confidential'.
Reports or allegations of possible misconduct will initially be investigated through CSIRO's Workplace Issues Resolution Procedure or Public Interest Disclosure Scheme processes, or referred to an external body such as the police, where necessary.
All complaints involving the conduct or reputation of a staff member will be handled confidentially (with disclosures only being made on a 'need to know' basis) and in a manner that provides procedural fairness to all involved.
Options available for making a complaint
i. Minor complaints
If you have been dealing with CSIRO about a matter and there is a minor problem, we suggest you contact the staff member or manager involved to see if it may be resolved informally.
If this is not possible for any reason, please consider one of the following options.
ii. General complaints
General complaints include but are not limited to complaints or feedback about:
- CSIRO practices and activities
- level or quality of services and products
- client, partner and public engagement
- health, safety and environmental concerns related to CSIRO activities
- actions of CSIRO and its staff members.
A general complaint is not commentary or opinions on CSIRO's science or policy position.
For general complaints, contact CSIRO Enquiries. CSIRO Enquiries will contact the relevant area in CSIRO who will acknowledge and respond to your complaint as appropriate.
iii. Complaints about possible misconduct
Where a complaint involves a report or allegation about a possible breach of the CSIRO Code of Conduct (which includes breaches of the law and government regulations) by CSIRO or a staff member, CSIRO Enquiries will contact the relevant area in CSIRO who will assess whether the matter should initially be dealt with under CSIRO's Workplace Issues Resolution Procedure or CSIRO's Public Interest Disclosure Scheme.
For advice on how to make a complaint about possible misconduct, contact CSIRO Enquiries.
To submit a complaint about possible misconduct in writing email: conductcomplaints@csiro.au. Emails to conductcomplaints@csiro.au go directly to staff appointed by CSIRO to receive complaints about possible misconduct.
The terms misconduct and fraud are defined below.
iv. Public interest disclosures
Public officials (disclosers) who suspect wrongdoing within CSIRO can raise their concerns under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID Act). Allegations made under the PID Act are public interest disclosures (PID).
Who can make a PID?
PIDs can be made by current and former CSIRO staff members and certain people affiliated with CSIRO as well as staff of CSIRO contracted and subcontracted service providers who are providing goods and services to CSIRO.
PIDs cannot be made by the general public.
What types of conduct can be the subject of a PID?
The types of conduct that may be reported include conduct which contravenes a law; is corrupt; constitutes maladministration or wastage of public money; an abuse of public trust or position; and endangers health, safety and the environment.
v. Privacy and Freedom of Information complaints
Information on the CSIRO Freedom of Information process and your rights is available. For complaints about the CSIRO Freedom of Information process, contact foi@csiro.au.
You can access our Privacy Policy. If you have a privacy-related complaint, contact privacy@csiro.au.
You can also visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) website for more information on Freedom of Information and Privacy.
Definitions
- Misconduct is conduct which breaches the CSIRO Code of Conduct. Misconduct of a staff member may include, for example:
- improper or offensive behaviour
- improper conduct by a scientist such as deliberate falsification or misrepresentation of research results
- negligence or carelessness in performing duties
- provision of false or misleading information
- breaking appropriate confidentiality regarding the work of CSIRO or its clients
- failure to avoid or disclose a conflict of interest.
- Fraud involves dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception. Examples include falsifying records and providing misleading information. Complaints may be about suspected incidents of fraud against CSIRO or by CSIRO and its staff and can involve the reporting of suspicious activity.
We are committed to providing a high level of service and to conducting its activities ethically and with integrity. This commitment is reflected in our Service Charter and Code of Conduct.
We welcome feedback on our performance, including complaints. Complaints can assist us to evaluate and improve its services. They can be in relation to any number of matters and may include the actions and conduct of staff.
Making a complaint
In making a complaint it will help if you could explain:
- what action or decision is the cause of your complaint
- what specifically is your complaint
- what are the implications of the action or decision for you
- what is the preferred outcome or result you are seeking.
We will acknowledge your complaint and seek to resolve the matter in a timely manner.
Confidentiality and procedural fairness
Your complaint and your personal information will be kept confidential and will only be provided to staff within CSIRO who have a need to know about the complaint for the purposes of responding to you or taking appropriate action.
If you make an anonymous complaint we may not be able to conduct a full investigation of your complaint or be able to refer the matter to the appropriate area.
Reports or allegations of misconduct by CSIRO or a staff member, including fraudulent activity must be in writing with the exception of disclosures by 'Public Officials' through the CSIRO Public Interest Disclosure Scheme (see below) which may be written or oral.
Please mark all correspondence 'Confidential'.
Reports or allegations of possible misconduct will initially be investigated through CSIRO's Workplace Issues Resolution Procedure or Public Interest Disclosure Scheme processes, or referred to an external body such as the police, where necessary.
All complaints involving the conduct or reputation of a staff member will be handled confidentially (with disclosures only being made on a 'need to know' basis) and in a manner that provides procedural fairness to all involved.
Options available for making a complaint
i. Minor complaints
If you have been dealing with CSIRO about a matter and there is a minor problem, we suggest you contact the staff member or manager involved to see if it may be resolved informally.
If this is not possible for any reason, please consider one of the following options.
ii. General complaints
General complaints include but are not limited to complaints or feedback about:
- CSIRO practices and activities
- level or quality of services and products
- client, partner and public engagement
- health, safety and environmental concerns related to CSIRO activities
- actions of CSIRO and its staff members.
A general complaint is not commentary or opinions on CSIRO's science or policy position.
For general complaints, contact CSIRO Enquiries. CSIRO Enquiries will contact the relevant area in CSIRO who will acknowledge and respond to your complaint as appropriate.
iii. Complaints about possible misconduct
Where a complaint involves a report or allegation about a possible breach of the CSIRO Code of Conduct (which includes breaches of the law and government regulations) by CSIRO or a staff member, CSIRO Enquiries will contact the relevant area in CSIRO who will assess whether the matter should initially be dealt with under CSIRO's Workplace Issues Resolution Procedure or CSIRO's Public Interest Disclosure Scheme.
For advice on how to make a complaint about possible misconduct, contact CSIRO Enquiries.
To submit a complaint about possible misconduct in writing email: conductcomplaints@csiro.au. Emails to conductcomplaints@csiro.au go directly to staff appointed by CSIRO to receive complaints about possible misconduct.
The terms misconduct and fraud are defined below.
iv. Public interest disclosures
Public officials (disclosers) who suspect wrongdoing within CSIRO can raise their concerns under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID Act). Allegations made under the PID Act are public interest disclosures (PID).
Who can make a PID?
PIDs can be made by current and former CSIRO staff members and certain people affiliated with CSIRO as well as staff of CSIRO contracted and subcontracted service providers who are providing goods and services to CSIRO.
PIDs cannot be made by the general public.
What types of conduct can be the subject of a PID?
The types of conduct that may be reported include conduct which contravenes a law; is corrupt; constitutes maladministration or wastage of public money; an abuse of public trust or position; and endangers health, safety and the environment.
v. Privacy and Freedom of Information complaints
Information on the CSIRO Freedom of Information process and your rights is available. For complaints about the CSIRO Freedom of Information process, contact foi@csiro.au.
You can access our Privacy Policy. If you have a privacy-related complaint, contact privacy@csiro.au.
You can also visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) website for more information on Freedom of Information and Privacy.
Definitions
- Misconduct is conduct which breaches the CSIRO Code of Conduct. Misconduct of a staff member may include, for example:
- improper or offensive behaviour
- improper conduct by a scientist such as deliberate falsification or misrepresentation of research results
- negligence or carelessness in performing duties
- provision of false or misleading information
- breaking appropriate confidentiality regarding the work of CSIRO or its clients
- failure to avoid or disclose a conflict of interest.
- Fraud involves dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception. Examples include falsifying records and providing misleading information. Complaints may be about suspected incidents of fraud against CSIRO or by CSIRO and its staff and can involve the reporting of suspicious activity.