Ten Services Australia employees were dismissed in 2025 for workplace sexual harassment, following over 80 complaints of alleged misconduct. The agency, the largest in the federal government with more than 35,200 staff, reported 88 allegations of sexual harassment between June 2024 and June 2025, leading to 16 confirmed breaches of the Australian Public Service (APS) code of conduct.
A Services Australia spokesperson confirmed the terminations and noted that some complainants chose to remain anonymous or withdrew their complaints. The spokesperson emphasized a zero-tolerance policy, stating, 'Services Australia does not tolerate sexual harassment, and there is no acceptable level of sexual harassment.' The 88 individuals represent 0.25 per cent of the agency's staff.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the second-largest APS agency, received 29 complaints last year, resulting in eight reported incidents of sexual harassment. An ATO spokesperson declined to specify how many cases were formally investigated but affirmed that allegations are taken seriously and handled through thorough code of conduct investigations.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) reported 20 complaints in 2024-25, leading to two employees being fired for code of conduct breaches, with one matter still ongoing. An NDIA spokesperson reiterated a zero-tolerance approach, stating, 'We take every report seriously, act quickly and proportionately, and ensure processes are sensitive, confidential, and procedurally fair.'
Other agencies also reported complaints: the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) had five complaints; the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water received 14 reports, with no terminations; the Department of Home Affairs had 13 complaints; and the Department of Defence reported 11 incidents. The APS implemented a policy in 2023 to prevent and address workplace sexual harassment, giving the Australian Human Rights Commission powers to enforce compliance.
CPSU National Secretary Melissa Donnelly stressed the need for ongoing efforts in prevention and response plans, urging agencies to proactively monitor and review their effectiveness with employees and unions. These developments follow the landmark Respect@Work report by former sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins, which highlighted widespread sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.
