Probity Advisor Canberra
Probity Australia provides independent probity advice and probity reviews to Commonwealth entities, ACT Government directorates and other organisations in Canberra, working online and in person by arrangement.
Probity advice for Commonwealth and ACT processes
Canberra-based entities run some of the country’s largest and most scrutinised procurements and grant programs. A probity adviser helps the project team apply the rules consistently, manage conflicts of interest and keep a record that will stand up to later review.
We act as probity advisor during a process, or as an independent probity reviewer at milestones or at close. Where the risk is high, the two roles should be held by different people.
Organisations we work with in Canberra
- Commonwealth non-corporate and corporate entities
- ACT Government directorates and territory authorities
- National bodies and research organisations that administer grants
- Organisations bidding for or delivering government-funded programs that run their own procurements
The Commonwealth and ACT framework
Commonwealth procurement
The Commonwealth Procurement Rules are issued under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth). They require value for money, encourage competition and expect ethical behaviour, including the identification and management of conflicts of interest. Each entity’s Accountable Authority Instructions add its own requirements.
Commonwealth grants
Grants are governed by the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles. They set expectations for grant opportunity guidelines, the assessment of applications and the advice given to decision-makers, including ministers. Probity advice is particularly useful where applicants are assessed competitively and the decision may be questioned.
ACT Government
ACT procurement is governed by the Government Procurement Act 2001 (ACT) and the Government Procurement Regulation 2007 (ACT), together with directorate procedures.
Integrity oversight
Commonwealth decisions can be examined by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Australian National Audit Office, and ACT decisions by the ACT Integrity Commission and the ACT Audit Office. A clear probity record helps an entity explain how a decision was reached.
How we work with Canberra clients
Most probity work in Canberra is delivered online: reviewing documents, joining evaluation meetings by video and advising the project team as issues arise. We travel to Canberra for evaluation committee briefings, bidder sessions and other meetings where being present helps. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Our people
Probity Australia is led by Perry Q Wood, Partner. A former Senior Member and Practice Leader of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and previously a Principal Solicitor in the public sector, Perry understands how Commonwealth decisions are made and reviewed. He is the Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law.
See our probity advice and probity review services, or our work in Melbourne and Sydney.
Probity advisor Canberra FAQs
Do you have an office in Canberra?
No. Our office is in Melbourne. We serve Canberra clients online and travel to Canberra for evaluation briefings and key meetings by arrangement.
Can you work within the Commonwealth Procurement Rules?
Yes. We tailor the probity plan and our advice to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and to your entity’s Accountable Authority Instructions, so the process and the record line up with the rules you must follow.
Do you advise on Commonwealth grant rounds?
Yes. We advise on grant opportunity guidelines, assessment processes, conflicts of interest and advice to decision-makers under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles, and can review a grant round at close.
Do you work with ACT Government directorates?
Yes. We provide probity advice and probity reviews for ACT Government procurements and grants, working within the Government Procurement Act 2001 (ACT) and the directorate’s own procedures.
Make a confidential enquiry
Tell us about the procurement or grant round, its stage and timeframe. We reply within one business day.