National Integrity Framework

If your organisation is affiliated with a National Sporting Organisation (NSO) that has adopted the National Integrity Framework, there will be a Complaints, Disputes and Discipline policy to follow.

Depending on your affiliation, please contact either your NSO, State Sporting Organisation (SSO) or Sport Integrity Australia for assistance.

Sport Integrity Australia

Anyone can provide information to Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) about integrity issues in sport. However, what SIA can do with the information depends on whether the NSO that represents the sport has implemented the National Integrity Framework, and from what date.

From the date the NSO that represents a sport commences operating under the National Integrity Framework policies, SIA is also appointed to run an independent complaint handling process for that sport under the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy. This means from this commencement date any complaints submitted about that sport will be managed independently and reviewed by integrity experts.

To find out if your sport has implemented the National Integrity Framework policies, check here.

Sport Integrity Australia can only investigate alleged breaches of the sport’s National Integrity Framework policies, which are the:

  • Child Safeguarding Policy
  • Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy
  • Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
  • Member Protection Policy, and
  • National Integrity Framework.

Prohibited Conduct is the behaviour that would breach one of the National Integrity Framework policies. For definitions of prohibited conduct that should be reported to SIA, refer to the National Integrity Framework Prohibited Conduct factsheet.

Sport Integrity Australia will not manage complaints in relation to:

  • Selection and eligibility disputes
  • Competition rules disputes
  • Code of conduct breaches
  • Social media policy breaches
  • Governance misconduct
  • Employment disputes
  • Complaints that are solely a personal grievance
  • Whistleblower disclosures
  • Any conduct that occurred before your sport's commencement date
  • Any other policies that your sport has

These will be managed by the sport.

To make an integrity complaint, visit the Sport Integrity Australia website.

Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy factsheet

Understanding the National Integrity Framework

If your sport has not signed a National Integrity Framework agreement, all complaints need to be handled according to your club's or association's current policy.

Dealing with a complaint or issue

Sport is driven by passion and emotion and it is therefore likely that issues will occur. How issues are managed can vary the impact on the organisation.

Nipping issues in the bud appropriately will assist with maintaining a happy environment. Too often they are ignored, hoping they will go away or correct procedures are not followed leading to dissatisfaction.

Therefore, it is important that everyone involved is familiar with the organisation's grievance procedure.

Advice on dealing with complaints is also available through the Play by the Rules website.

Whether making a complaint or managing a complaint, if you are unsure of your next step or your legal obligations, contact your governing body for support.

If the issue is relating to a child (under 18) you must consider your moral or legal obligation to make a report to the Child Abuse Report Line (13 14 78) if you are aware of, or have formed a suspicion that, a child is or may be at risk of harm.

Complaints handling training

Online training is available through Play by the Rules. This training can be completed in the participant's own time and does not need to be completed in one session. It is recommended for all people working in the organisation's administration or coaching and officiating.

Sport SA offers a complaint handling course that addresses the theory and practice of complaint handling in conflict situations. The emphasis is on understanding why people react the way they do to conflict and how to handle situations in a more effective and appropriate manner.

Sport SA can also facilitate training specific to your club or association and bring the training to you. Contact Sport SA at operations@sportsa.org.au for more details.

Alternative dispute resolution

Depending on the nature of the complaint or issue, in some circumstances it may be appropriate to seek external advice and support on how to resolve a dispute.

Alternative dispute resolution describes a range of processes where an impartial practitioner helps people resolve their disputes such as mediation, arbitration, conciliation and case appraisal.

Equal Opportunity Commission - helps people resolve discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation complaints where alleged conduct is covered by the Equal Opportunity Act 1984.

Law Society of South Australia - maintains a list of lawyers who are nationally accredited mediators.

The Resolution Institute - has a database of practitioners for resolving disputes of various kinds.

National Sports Tribunal - The Tribunal deals with several different types of sporting disputes: anti-doping rule violations; disciplinary disputes; selection or eligibility disputes; and bullying, harassment or discrimination disputes.

Sporting organisations below the national level (e.g. a state association) can use the Tribunal if:

  • the dispute arises under the rules of the national-level sporting body, and
  • the national-level sporting body agrees to refer the dispute to us and to be a party to the dispute.