Whistleblower Disclosures – Aged Care Services
The Rural City of Wangaratta is committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of aged care services. We encourage a culture where concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal, and all disclosures are handled in accordance with the Aged Care Act, other relevant law and Council policy.
What is an Aged Care Whistleblower Disclosure?
A whistleblower disclosure in the context of aged care is a report made by anyone—staff, contractors, volunteers, participants receiving aged care services from the Council, family members, or members of the public—who reasonably believes that misconduct or serious wrongdoing has occurred in the delivery of aged care services. You do not need to prove your concerns; genuine suspicions based on what you have seen or experienced are enough.
- Unsafe or poor-quality care
- Neglect or abuse
- Fraud, dishonesty, or serious breaches of the law
- Conduct that does not meet the standards of the Aged Care Act 2024.
How to Make an Aged Care Whistleblower Disclosure
A disclosure can be made verbally or in writing. A disclosure can be made anomalously to the below list of people, or directly to the Whistleblower Protection Officer on agedcarewhistleblowers@wangaratta.vic.gov.au .
All aged care staff, including associated providers, and responsible persons who suspect they have received a whistleblower disclosure are to report the matter to the Whistleblower Protection Officer immediately on agedcarewhistleblowers@wangaratta.vic.gov.au .
Who Can Make a Disclosure and To Whom
A qualifying disclosure can be made by any person, including staff, contractors, volunteers, participants receiving aged care services from the Council, family members, or members of the public, who has reasonable grounds to suspect misconduct or a breach of the Aged Care Act 2024.
Disclosures may be made to:
- The Whistleblower Protection Officer
- Any manager or supervisor
- The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- The System Governor or Department officials
- A registered provider, responsible person, or aged care worker
- A police officer
- An independent aged care advocate
Disclosures may be made anonymously and will still be protected under this policy and the Act.
Protections for Whistleblowers
If you make a whistleblower disclosure, you are protected by law from civil, criminal, or administrative liability, and from contractual or other remedies. Your identity will be kept confidential unless you consent to disclosure, it is required by law, or necessary to prevent a serious threat to health or safety. Any form of victimisation or retaliation is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary or legal action.
Handling of Disclosures
- All disclosures will be promptly assessed and, where appropriate, investigated with procedural fairness.
- The whistleblower will be informed of the progress and outcome, where possible.
- All records are kept securely and confidentially.
- Disclosures that do not qualify as whistleblower disclosures may be managed as complaints or feedback, but will not attract whistleblower protections.
Aged Care Whistleblower Disclosure vs. Public Interest Disclosure
It is important to note that whistleblower disclosures regarding the delivery of aged care services under the Aged Care Act 2024 are not the same as public interest disclosures (PID) under the Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (Victoria). Public interest disclosures generally relate to broader issues of corruption or improper conduct in the public sector. If your concern relates to public interest disclosures, please click the link below for more information and guidance on how to make a PID.
Public Interest Disclosures Whistleblowing