FEG related fraud and illegal phoenix activity

We take fraud seriously and are committed to preventing fraud and appropriately dealing with it when it occurs.

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What is fraud?

Fraud is dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means. A benefit may be money, objects, information or power.

Examples of fraudulent actions related to the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG), include:

  • misuse of identity
  • lodging a false claim
  • intentionally providing false information to support a claim
  • lodging altered or falsified documents
  • falsifying verification data
  • diverting funds advanced under FEG
  • collusion (secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy in order to deceive others)
  • theft of confidential information.

How do I report suspected fraud?

If you suspect someone has committed fraud or is attempting to commit fraud related to the FEG, you can report your concern by phone, email or mail. Visit reporting FEG related fraud for more information.

What is illegal phoenix activity?

Illegal phoenix activity is when a new company is created to continue the business of an existing company that has been liquidated to avoid paying taxes, creditors and employee entitlements.

Illegal phoenix activity includes:

  • non-payment of wages, superannuation and other entitlements
  • getting an unfair competitive advantage over other businesses
  • non-payment of suppliers
  • loss of government revenue and increased monitoring and enforcement costs
  • avoidance of regulatory obligations.

For information on how we are working to address fraudulent phoenix behaviour, visit reducing illegal phoenix activity.

How do I report illegal phoenix activity?

You can call a dedicated phoenix hotline to report illegal phoenix activity on 1800 060 062.

Illegal phoenix activity can also be reported by:

Find information on how to make a complaint to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on the report misconduct section of the ASIC website.

FEG Recovery Program – protecting the integrity of the FEG scheme

All employers are required to provide for their employees' benefits. Where employers attempt to rely on the FEG scheme instead of meeting their obligations, the government is committed to strongly pursuing recovery action against them. The government, through the FEG Recovery Program funds recovery activities that would otherwise have not been possible to improve the recovery of FEG amounts. Visit FEG Recovery Program for more information.

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