Whistleblowers

We don't give advice about this area of law

The following content is for general purposes only. Legal Aid Queensland does not provide legal advice in this area. For more information, please contact a lawyer.

The Public Interest Disclosures Act provides protection for whistleblowers in Queensland.

When you need legal advice

Get legal advice if you:

  • want to make a public interest disclosure (PID)
  • have questions about the PID process or PID laws.

How to get legal advice

What is a whistleblower?

A whistleblower is a person who discloses information about illegal or dishonest behaviour to alert the public.

Whistleblowing is sometimes called a public interest disclosure (PID).

Queensland laws protect whistleblowers from criminal prosecution or legal action being taken against them. 

Who is protected?

The Public Interest Disclosures Act provides protections to people who disclose information in the public interest. They include protecting whistleblowers from:

  • retribution or paybacks such as bullying and harassment
  • being identified
  • releasing information about the disclosure. 

Visit the Queensland Ombudsman for information that may help you decide whether to make a public disclosure. 

Reporting wrongdoing

You can report illegal or dishonest behaviour to:

  • a relevant authority where the wrongdoing has happened
  • any Queensland politician
  • the Crime and Corruption Commission.

More information

See the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010.

How to get legal advice

We don’t give legal advice about whistleblowing or assist public servants being investigated for corrupt conduct. 

If you need legal advice about whistleblowing, you should speak to a private lawyer who practices in this area of law. 

Search the Queensland Law Society’s Register of Solicitors to find a specialist private lawyer.

 

Other places to get legal advice:

Who else can help?

Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.

Last updated
Last reviewed
Back to top