Australia has increased its standing in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), with a score of 77 on the 100-point scale, re-entering the top 10 for the first time since 2016.
With democracies under threat around the world, Australia must continue to institute stronger safeguards against corruption, abuses of power and undue influence over public decision-making to protect our democracy.
The score places Australia back in the top 10 countries for the first time since 2016 (=10th alongside Iceland and Ireland) – having climbed back from an all-time low of 73 and 18th place on the Index in 2021.
But the result is still down from a high of 85/100 in 2012.
Transparency International Australia CEO, Clancy Moore said:
“The evidence is clear. The government’s positive integrity reforms show Australia is turning the corner in the fight against corruption. But the risk to our democracy remains.”
“This includes $70 million in ‘dark money’ flowing to the major parties last year, hundreds of paid lobbyists backed by big money influencing MPs behind closed doors, whistleblowers being silenced, and mis and dis-information spreading like wildfire.”
“Australia can once again be a global leader in the fight against corruption if our federal political leaders get big money out of politics, properly protect whistleblowers, and end secret company ownership.”
Australia’s closest allies, the United Kingdom (71/100) and USA (65/100) are at their lowest scores on the Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting the worrying trend of falling trust in democracy that Australia must continue to buck.
Transparency International Australia Chair and Griffith University integrity expert Professor A J Brown AM said:
“Amid the challenges, there is hope. The federal parliament’s reform record of the past three years is a big step in the right direction against a global cloud of darkness in the fight against corruption.”
In 2024, the government strengthened Australia’s anti-corruption framework with new foreign bribery laws, established the Administrative Review Tribunal, progressed the Open Government National Action Plan, and introduced historic anti-money laundering laws.
“However, there is huge unfinished business for getting Australia back on track. A priority must be a dedicated Whistleblower Protection Authority to end the culture of silence and ensure the people who play a vital role in exposing corruption and wrongdoing, across all sectors, get the support they deserve.”
With 2024 being the hottest year on record, with global temperatures rising above the pre-industrial 1.5°C benchmark for the first time, Transparency International has also urged governments to challenge the erosion of democracy and a decline in global climate leadership that is hindering the fight against the climate crisis. Corruption is making that fight much harder, and the international community must address the link between corruption and the climate crisis.
View the full 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index report and results for our country and region.