National Integrity Framework
Disability Sports Australia (DSA) and Sport Integrity Australia believe that sport should be safe, fair and fun for everyone involved.
The following section is designed to help people involved in the programs and activates of DSA to understand what is acceptable as well as unacceptable behaviors and how complaints and misconduct is managed.
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Sport is an Australian way of life. It brings people together, transcending differences in language, ability, cultures, and beliefs, and provides physical, social, and economic benefits.
Threats to sports integrity include competition manipulation, doping, and behaviours that impact people’s positive experience of sport, such as discrimination or abuse.
Integrity in sport means that athletes, participants and volunteers can participate and celebrate sport, confident in the knowledge that they are part of a safe, ethical, and inclusive environment.
Disability Sports Australia takes integrity seriously.
Everyone involved in DSA activities and programs have an obligation to protect and maintain the integrity of sport, as well as the health and wellbeing of our participants.
We work closely with Sport Integrity Australia; the federal agency established to prevent and deal with integrity threats in sport. For more information visit the Sport Integrity Australia website.
On this page, you will find our integrity rules as outlined by the National Integrity Framework, education and training resources, information about different topics and instructions on how to lodge a complaint.
If you have questions regarding any of the information below, please contact:
Craig Beed – Integrity Manager
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The National Integrity Framework is a suite of policies adopted by DSA which will set out rules for unacceptable behaviour in programs and activities and change the way Complaints about breaches of these rules are managed.
The Framework was developed by the independent government agency Sport Integrity Australia to keep sport safe and fair.
The Framework is essentially a set of rules that need to be followed when it comes to behaviour and conduct in our programs and activities.
The six policies which make up the National Integrity Framework are:
1. National Integrity Framework Policy
2. Child Safeguarding Policy
3. Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering Policy
4. Member Protection Policy
5. Improper Use of Drugs & Medicines Policy
6. Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Policy
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National Integrity Framework Policy
The overarching policy of the National Integrity Framework that defines the scope of the Framework, how its policies apply, and the responsibilities of [NSO] under the Framework.
Information And Resources:
Sport Integrity Australia’s resource portal for all things relating to the National Integrity Framework – including explanations of all National Integrity Policies and information for children and young people
What is the National Integrity Framework?
A short guide to help you understand what the National Integrity Framework is and how it works.
A booklet with information about the National Integrity Framework, its policies, and Prohibited Conduct.
A short guide to what behaviours are not allowed under the National Integrity Framework.
Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy
This policy protects children and young people in Disability Sports Australia by putting in place rules and processes to ensure sporting environments are inclusive, positive, and safe for all children, all the time.
Information And Resources:
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
SAFEGUARDING - HOW YOUR SPORT LOOKS AFTER ALL ITS PARTICIPANTS (AGES 13-17)
SAFEGUARDING - HOW WE KEEP YOUR COMPETITION FAIR AND HONEST (AGES 13-17)
SAFEGUARDING - PROTECTING YOUR SPORT FROM THE IMPROPER USE OF DRUGS AND MEDICINE (AGES 13-17)
Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy
This policy protects the welfare, wellbeing, and health of everyone involved in [NSO]. It provides clear definitions of abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, victimisation, and vilification in sport, along with information on how to report these behaviours.
This Policy seeks to ensure that everyone involved with our Disability Sports Australia is aware of their rights and responsibilities and sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those involved in our Disability Sports Australia and its Activities and the behaviours that are not acceptable (Prohibited Conduct).
Information And Resources
Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
This policy protects athletes from harm caused by the improper use of medicines, supplements, and illegal drugs.
Information And Resources
Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy
This policy provides Disability Sports Australia and its participants with an independent and impartial complaint management process run by Sport Integrity Australia.
Information And Resources
A suite of resources explaining how Sport Integrity Australia’s Complaints Process works.
A short guide explaining how Sport Integrity Australia’s Complaints Process works.
DSA have adopted the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy as it’s Anti-Doping Policy.
More information on this Policy can be found here. -
When it comes to sport integrity, it is critical that everyone involved in DSA programs, activities and events are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
There are a range of tools and resources available to help keep participants informed.
Sport Integrity Australia eLearning offers several online courses relating to sport integrity. There are new courses specifically about the National Integrity Framework, as well as specific anti-doping courses are also available for coaches, support persons, medical practitioners and parents.
The Sport Integrity app is a one-stop shop for all sport integrity needs, downloaded by more than 50,000 Australian athletes and support staff.
The app allows users to check whether their medications are banned in sport, find low risk supplements to reduce their change of testing positive accidentally, and check whether they need a Therapeutic Use Exemption. The app also provides direction on how to raise concerns about things like doping, match-fixing, harassment or illicit drug use. It features further information on eLearning modules, whereabouts and testing information and gives users the opportunity to provide feedback to Sport Integrity Australia.
The app is free and can be downloaded from the Apple and Android app stores.
Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, inclusion and integrity issues in Sport.
Stay up to date on social media
Keep up to date with all that is happening in sport integrity by following Sport Integrity Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or listen to On Side, the official podcast of Sport Integrity Australia.
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As of 13 December 2022, DSA has commenced the National Integrity Framework. This means that Complaints relating to National Integrity Framework policies which occurred after this date will be handled by Sport Integrity Australia through their independent complaints process.
Unacceptable behaviours under National Integrity Framework policies are known as Prohibited Conduct.
Under the National Integrity Framework, anything that may constitute Prohibited Conduct must be reported to Sport Integrity Australia.
Sport Integrity Australia will also manage issues relating to DSA’s Anti-Doping policy.
DSA will continue to manage Non-National Integrity Framework issues, and any issues which occurred before the commencement date.
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The Framework was never intended to cover every matter considered an integrity issue. The following policies provide for appropriate resolution of complaints and disputes that fall outside of the National Integrity Framework (NIF). The policies align with the concepts and language of the NIF and collectively with the NIF, provide effective management of complaints and disputes through robust, clear and consistent rules, by-laws and policies.
- DSA Conduct and Disciplinary Policy
Issues to bring to
Sport Integrity Australia
Anything that may constitute Prohibited Conduct under the Child Safeguarding policy, or that may constitute discrimination based on a protected characteristic, should be reported to Sport Integrity Australia.
This includes conduct such as:
Misconduct with a child
Sexual behaviour with or around a child
Shaming, humiliating, intimidating or belittling a child
Causing a child physical pain or discomfort
Supplying of drugs or alcohol to a child
Discrimination based on:
- race or ethnicity
- age
- disability
- sex or sexual orientation
- religion
Doping (managed under the sports Anti-doping Policy)
You can also report and prohibited conduct under the Member Protection policy, if it involves a child.
To report Prohibited Conduct, visit:
https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/making-integrity-complaint-or-report
Issues to bring to
Disability Sports Australia
DSA will manage complaints on all other NIF matters, as well as continuing to manage complaints on non-NIF issues. This includes conduct such as:
Abuse
Bullying
Harassment
Victimisation
Sexual Misconduct
Match, race or competition fixing and other types of Competition Manipulation
Supplying inside information for the purposes of gambling
Betting by members on their own sport
Unlawful use of over the counter or prescription drugs
Inappropriate use or provision of supplements
Use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs
Concealing information about Prohibited Conduct
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 sports commencement date
Any other policies that your sport has
To report any of the above, contact DSA’s Integrity Complaints Manager at:
Madeline Wood
integrity@sports.org.au