Club's Guide to Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework 2026

The Framework has five policies that work together:

1. Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy: protects children and young people by setting clear rules, behavioural standards and reporting obligations.
2. Participant Protection Policy: promotes safe participation by protecting everyone from discrimination, bullying, harassment and abuse (previously the Member Protection Policy).
3. Competition Manipulation and Sports Betting Policy: prevents match fixing, improper use of inside information and betting and non-betting related misconduct.
4. Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy: sets out mandatory compliance requirements for the safe use of medicines and supplements in sport.
5. Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy: a consistent process for managing complaints and ensuring accountability.

The Framework is a set of policy templates that sports adopt. In the policies, banned behaviours are called Prohibited Conduct. Each policy has a Companion Guide with best-practice advice.

Source: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) published the updated Framework and Sport Integrity Policy Standards in July 2026 (media statement dated 24 July 2026), after a 2025-26 review. Sports must update their policies by 30 April 2027. SIA's CEO called it the biggest update to the Framework since its launch in 2021.

Key changes SIA lists:

• Complaints, Disputes and Discipline: a new "allegations" process (people do not need to decide whether it is a report or complaint); stronger requirements for independent Complaint Managers and for allegations involving a national sporting organisation; case categorisation complemented by a more flexible assessment process; clearer governance of investigation and sanctioning, including options to share sanctions across the sector.
• Participant Protection: renamed from Member Protection and expanded to all participants; SIA accepts reports of abusive behaviour on the basis of disability; stronger protections against victimisation.
• Safeguarding Children and Young People: child safe practices split into minimum requirements (in the Policy) and best practice (in the Companion Guide); updated definitions of harm and abuse; clearer obligations to report allegations, charges or investigations relating to harm or abuse of children.
• Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine: updated roles for Relevant Support Personnel; practical guidance moved to a Companion Guide.
• Competition Manipulation and Sports Betting: scope expanded to members in international competitions; more focus on courtsiding, data scouting and betting activity.

Each policy now has a Companion Guide, which gives best-practice advice and does not form part of the policy.

Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/news/media-statements/2026-07/national-integrity-updates-enhance-protections-australians-sport and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/sites/default/files/SIA744-0726-NIF-KEY-CHANGES-WEB-ACC_0.pdf

The Participant Protection Policy was called the Member Protection Policy and has been renamed and expanded to cover all participants. It applies to behaviour directed towards adults. Behaviour directed towards under 18s is managed under the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy. It aligns with the Play Well Way values: respect, belonging, wellbeing, enjoyment and growth.

Banned behaviours (in person and online) include:

• abuse (physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, or using a position of authority to control others)
• abusive behaviour on the basis of disability
• bullying (it does not include legitimate and reasonable management action, disciplinary action or allocation of activities in compliance with agreed systems)
• harassment, including insulting jokes or derogatory comments about race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight or appearance, intrusive personal questions, doxxing, and creating or sharing AI-generated content to cause distress
• sexual misconduct, such as unwelcome touching, suggestive comments, unwanted invitations to go on dates
• discrimination (direct or indirect) on a protected characteristic
• victimisation of someone who made, or supported, a complaint
• vilification.

You must report any suspicions or allegations of Prohibited Conduct. The 2026 update adds a general exemption confirming that reasonable management, coaching, safeguarding and duty-of-care actions are not Prohibited Conduct where applicable.

Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/participant-protection-policy-overview and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/sites/default/files/SIA744-0726-NIF-KEY-CHANGES-WEB-ACC_0.pdf

Sport Integrity Australia's summary of banned behaviours (Prohibited Conduct) for individuals of any age includes:

• child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect and exposure to domestic and family violence)
• abusive behaviour on the basis of disability
• harmful behaviour, including harmful training methods such as physical punishment or overtraining, excessive emphasis on appearance or weight, and degrading, cruel, frightening or humiliating discipline
• bullying, harassment, discrimination, vilification, victimisation and grooming
• failing to obtain or maintain the required Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent
• supplying drugs, alcohol or pornography (including tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapes)
• supplying medicine without the consent of a parent or carer (exceptions: life-saving treatment, or when permitted by law)
• failing to properly supervise, and never supervising while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• transporting a child without prior written approval from their parent or carer
• communicating privately one-on-one with a child, in person or online (including phone calls), without the involvement of their parent or carer or another representative of the sport
• inappropriate conduct in change rooms, including being alone in change rooms with children, showering or changing, or providing personal or intimate care
• failing to protect and failing to report.

Source: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/safeguarding-children-and-young-people-policy-overview

The Policy lists these Prohibited Conduct items for sporting organisations:

• Screening: all staff and volunteers in child-related positions must hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent, unless exempt. Screening measures such as reference checks must be used when hiring personnel in child-related work.
• Supervision, including overnight stays: only suitably skilled adults should supervise children and young people. Safe and appropriate accommodation must be provided on overnight activities. Safe transportation must be provided, and parents or carers must give prior written consent.
• Photography, video and livestreaming: written consent is required from a parent or carer. The organisation must make sure any child featured is appropriately posed and dressed, and that the material is not stored on personal devices.
• Risk management: a child safe risk management plan is required when the state or territory legislation requires it. The plan should consider how children are exposed to harm and abuse in your sport and what systems, policies and practices prevent it.

The 2026 update also says organisations are required to implement risk management, recruitment screening processes, child safety statements and controls of images and livestreaming. Minimum requirements are in the Policy, and best practice moved to a separate Companion Guide.

Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/safeguarding-children-and-young-people-policy-overview and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/sites/default/files/SIA744-0726-NIF-KEY-CHANGES-WEB-ACC_0.pdf

The Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy sets these steps (children and young people means under 18):

• Immediate risk or danger: call the police on 000.
• Reasonable grounds to suspect a child may be at risk of harm and it involves possible criminal conduct (for example physical or sexual assault or grooming): call local police on 131 444 and make a report to your state or territory child protection agency.
• Concern for a child's physical safety, welfare or emotional wellbeing: report it to the appropriate person within your club or sport, which may be the Integrity Manager, Complaints Manager or a designated safety officer such as a Child Safety Officer.

Failing to report actual or suspected banned behaviours to the relevant authority is itself Prohibited Conduct. Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) notes it is an offence in many states and territories to fail to report child harm or abuse to law enforcement. Depending on where the harm occurred, a sport may also have obligations to report to state or territory regulators under Working with Children Check and Child Safe Organisations legislation or Reportable Conduct Schemes.

People in a position of authority (for example a coach or team manager) must also take reasonable steps to protect children from harm, or notify someone in a position who can.

Source: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/safeguarding-children-and-young-people-policy-overview

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) describes five steps under the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy:

1. Making a complaint. Complaints about child safeguarding, discrimination on a protected characteristic, or abusive behaviour towards a person with disability can be lodged with SIA using its online form (assistance: Safe Sport Hotline 1800 161 361). Complaints about other Prohibited Conduct go to the sporting organisation.
2. Evaluation. The complaint is checked to see whether it is in scope. It may also be referred to another organisation, such as the police or a child protection agency. In-scope complaints may be managed through measures such as education and other behavioural management strategies, or investigated.
3. Investigation. Decides what happened on the balance of probabilities. Witnesses may be contacted, and in complex matters people may be required to take part in formal recorded interviews.
4. Findings. One of four: substantiated, partially substantiated, unsubstantiated, or unable to be substantiated. Unsubstantiated and unable-to-be-substantiated matters are closed with no further action.
5. Resolution. For substantiated matters the sport issues a breach notice and may set a sanction. The respondent can accept it or dispute it at a hearing tribunal.

When SIA manages a matter, it notifies the parties of the findings and refers the matter to the sport to manage the resolution process, including guidance on sanctioning if applicable.

Everyone involved must not withhold information, interfere (for example by influencing witnesses) or knowingly give inaccurate or misleading information. They must keep information confidential and comply with breach notices and sanctions.

Source: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/for-you/view-all-resources/complaints-process-step-step-nif

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) manages formal complaints (for sports that have adopted the Framework) about:

• child safeguarding (Prohibited Conduct that puts children and young people at risk)
• discrimination based on a protected characteristic such as age, disability, race, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion
• abusive behaviour towards a person with disability.

Submit these through SIA's online form. Complaints cannot be submitted anonymously.

These stay with the sport (SIA says they need to be directed to your sport):

• personal grievances
• bullying or harassment of adults (unless it is discrimination or abuse of a person with disability)
• team or representative selection disputes
• disputes that occur in the field of play
• matters best managed through a code of conduct
• a complaint already managed or a decision already made by the sport
• any matter where the sport has not adopted the Framework.

SIA says it evaluates every complaint and, if an allegation does not fall under the behaviours it manages, it may refer you to your sporting organisation. To check whether your sport has adopted the Framework, see SIA's list of signed-up sports: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/sports-signed-national-integrity-framework

Source: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/make-a-report/what-you-can-report

A complaint must be submitted by the person directly affected by the alleged Prohibited Conduct (or their authorised representative), or by the parent or carer of a vulnerable person who is directly affected. A complaint cannot be anonymous.

The conduct must also meet the definition of Prohibited Conduct under a National Integrity Framework policy (or one of the sport's relevant policies), must have occurred after the sport's commencement of the Framework or relevant policy, and the person accused must have been bound by the sport's policies at the time.

Reports are different. Anyone can make a report, even if they are not directly affected, and reports can be made anonymously. Sport Integrity Australia says reports are more likely to be used to inform integrity programs and/or be managed through informal resolution options. Concerns that occurred before the Framework was adopted can still be reported to the sport or SIA. No action can be taken under the policy, but the information can help prevent similar problems.

Under the 2026 update, a new "allegations" process means people do not need to decide whether it is a report or a complaint when first raising an issue.

Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/complaints-disputes-and-discipline-policy-overview and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/for-you/view-all-resources/complaints-process-step-step-nif

Under the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy, if a complaint is substantiated the sport issues a breach notice to the respondent and may determine an appropriate sanction. Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) says sanctions can range from a reprimand to a suspension or expulsion from the sport, depending on the category of the breach. Its policy overview lists possible sanctions as:

• formal warnings
• education
• fines
• bans from sport, from short-term suspensions to lifetime bans.

The respondent can either:

• accept the breach notice and proposed sanction, and the matter is finalised, or
• dispute the findings and/or the proposed sanction at a hearing tribunal.

The sport enforces any sanctions that result from the complaints process. Criminal conduct is investigated by law enforcement and may result in criminal penalties.

Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/for-you/view-all-resources/complaints-process-step-step-nif and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/complaints-disputes-and-discipline-policy-overview

Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy (applies to everyone involved, with extra responsibilities for athletes and support staff). Banned behaviours include:

• being convicted of a drug offence (possession or trafficking), and assisting or covering up drug offences
• unlawfully using or providing prescription or over-the-counter medication
• injecting, or possessing injection equipment, without authorisation (other than approved self-injection for known medical conditions)
• using or supplying a supplement prohibited by your sport
• failing to report known or suspected banned behaviours, and complicity.

Under this policy, "Relevant Athletes" are generally those competing at a national or international level, although sports may include other levels.

Competition Manipulation and Sports Betting Policy (covers every level, including community clubs). Banned behaviours include:

• match or spot-fixing
• tanking (deliberately underperforming, for example to get a favourable draw)
• misusing inside information, such as revealing non-public team selections to someone placing a bet
• betting in breach of the sport's rules
• false identification, such as lying about your age to compete in another category
• bribery
• courtsiding or unauthorised data scouting
• failing to report an approach, and complicity
• unfair modifications to equipment or playing surfaces.

Resting or rotating players to prepare for a more critical match is not competition manipulation. Suspicious approaches must be reported to the sport as soon as possible, and criminal matters are referred to law enforcement.

Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/improper-use-of-drugs-and-medicine-policy-overview and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/competition-manipulation-and-sports-betting-policy-overview

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) runs the Safe Sport Hotline on 1800 161 361. SIA describes it as a safe place for anyone in sport to feel heard and get guidance about integrity matters before deciding whether to make a complaint or report.

The Hotline provides:

• confidential guidance and support
• information about your reporting and complaint options
• help identifying the right organisation to contact
• support understanding formal complaint processes
• anonymous reporting options.

For immediate threats call 000. If you have reasonable grounds to suspect a child has been or may be at risk of harm or abuse, call local police on 131 444 and make a report to your state or territory child protection service.

More: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/make-a-report/what-you-can-report