This is the Commission's monthly update for November, providing visibility to the media and the public on our key activities and work underway.
Since 1 June 2023, we have received over 6,000 referrals, of which we have completed assessment of more than 4,700 (85%). As at 29 October 2025, we are conducting 32 preliminary investigations and 38 corruption investigations. Of the 40 corruption investigations we had commenced by 30 June 2025, 9 have been finalised on the basis that corrupt conduct would not be established, and we decided to prepare investigation reports under s 149 of the NACC Act for another 3. Our first s 149 report was in Operation Kingscliff and was provided to the Attorney-General on 23 June 2025 and published on 30 June 2025. Reports in two other investigations, including Operation Pelican, are in the course of preparation. These are in addition to 3 reports we have prepared and provided in relation to matters we inherited from ACLEI.
Since our commencement, 11 convictions have been secured as a result of investigations we have commenced or continued, and 3 matters are currently before the courts.
PJC-NACC members visit Commission office
The Commission today welcomed members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (PJC-NACC) for an informal briefing on our operations and current priorities and a tour of our Canberra premises.
The briefing was designed to assist Committee members, and especially those who are new to the Committee since the recent election, in their important oversight role. We look forward to continued engagement with the Committee.
See Oversight .
Management of Defence referrals
Commissioner Brereton's longstanding association with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as a Defence Reservist for over 45 years, and his work as an Assistant Inspector‑General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) on the Afghanistan Inquiry, was a matter of public record and well-known before his appointment as Commissioner. This meant that there would always be the potential for conflicts to arise from past relationships, which would need to be managed.
Upon appointment and since commencing as Commissioner, he has declared and appropriately managed any perceived or actual conflicts of interest relating to Defence referrals. When a referral to the Commission has potentially affected any ADF unit or individual with whom the Commissioner is or has been associated in a way that might reasonably be perceived to create a conflict, he has delegated it to a Deputy Commissioner. In particular, he has not participated in consideration of any matter involving the interests of the IGADF.
However, the recent attention the Commissioner's Defence service and connections have attracted in some quarters has become a distraction from the Commission's work. Relinquishing those connections would not remove the potential for conflicts to arise, because of the historic relationships.
As a result, the Commissioner has decided that he will not participate in consideration of any referrals which involve the interests of any Defence or ADF individual or unit that is or comes before the Commission, regardless of whether it might reasonably be perceived to involve a conflict. Those matters will be allocated to a Deputy Commissioner.
Defence represents only about 3% of our referrals, which can comfortably be covered by our three Deputy Commissioners.
The Commissioner is taking this step, although it is unnecessary from the perspective of properly managing actual or apparent conflicts, solely in an endeavour to recentre the focus on our important operational and educational work.
2024-25 Annual Report
This afternoon the National Anti-Corruption Commission's Annual Report 2024-25 has been tabled by the Attorney-General and is now available on the Commission's website .
The Annual Report serves the purpose to inform the Parliament and the public about the achievements, non-financial performance and financial position of Commonwealth entities and companies at the end of each reporting year, and operational activity, including:
receiving 2,271 corruption referrals, and finalising the assessment of 2,004 referrals
commencing 33 preliminary investigations, to help us decide whether or not to conduct a corruption investigation
commencing 14 corruption investigations, including 5 joint investigations
making 3 public disclosures that no corruption issue arose, to clear the air
publishing our first investigation report under the NACC Act
holding 138 engagements with public officials and civil society, to help prevent corrupt conduct through education and engagement.
How we finalise our investigations
When we complete an investigation, we are required to prepare a report for the Attorney-General setting out our findings on the corruption issue, a summary of the evidence, and any recommendations we see fit to make.
If we are satisfied it is in the public interest to do so, we can publish a public-facing version of this report.
At any time during an investigation, we can also decide to take no further action and discontinue an investigation. This may be the case where, for example, it becomes clear that corrupt conduct within our jurisdiction will not be found. There is no requirement to prepare an investigation report in these circumstances.
