Exporters need to be aware of the risks of bribery and corruption in international transactions and requirements to comply with laws in multiple jurisdictions. Bribery committed outside Australia can be captured under Australian laws and have serious consequences. Export Finance Australia provides useful links to assist exporters in understanding their obligations to comply with relevant laws against bribery and corruption. 

Create a compliance program that seeks to prevent and address bribery and corruption with this guide. It includes country risk reports that outline risks associated when engaging with state-owned enterprises. Also included are key actions to take when building a compliance program, a six-step process for conducting third party due diligence, sample policies, training procedures, risk assessment templates and due diligence tools.

Authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) can investigate and prosecute foreign bribery that took place outside of the UK. This includes where UK citizens are involved, if some of the conduct occurred in the UK or for foreign companies that 'carry out business or part of a business', or are listed in the UK. This portal puts you in touch with the correct authorities in the UK if you wish to report foreign bribery. An A-Z of company cases is included.

United States (US) authorities investigate and prosecute foreign bribery that takes place outside of the US, including where US citizens are involved, where payments are in US dollars and where companies are 'issuers' in US capital markets. This policy sets out the US Department of Justice's policy for giving significant discounts in penalty and circumstances in which authorities may not prosecute. Scroll down to view.

In 2015 Standard Bank PLC entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom to pay penalties of over US$25 million and US$7 million of compensation in connection with its role in an equity raising in Tanzania. The case highlights the risks of using agents to help win government contracts.

A practical sector specific fact sheet on business integrity that can be used for training. Demonstrates the value of effective systems and provides steps to detect, prevent and manage corruption risks and enhance transparency among company partners. Outlines the benefits to business and consequences for a mining company of being associated with corruption.

A resource to help develop an understanding of how internal reporting mechanisms can strengthen a business. Provides guidance on the components required for a business to have effective reporting mechanisms and early detection. Covers the benefits of whistleblower reporting mechanisms and having employees speak up about legal or ethical misconduct. 

Support the delivery of an effective compliance program by ensuring business leaders and senior managers demonstrate commitment to compliance programs. This resource discusses the importance of setting the tone from the top and identifies practical steps to demonstrate top level commitment and build a culture of compliance. This webpage is available in three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Part of Austrade’s “Guide to exporting”, this comprehensive resource offers headline points that all Australian businesses must be aware of when seeking to prevent corruption in their overseas operations. It links to a detailed guide with 12-steps to an effective anti-bribery and corruption program, and provides country-specific information.

To carry out effective risk assessments, Australian businesses operating overseas should be aware of the bribery and corruption risks in the country in which they operate. Designed for Australian exporters, this resource provides risk profiles for 50 countries, including the corruption rating, sectors where corruption may occur, and applicable laws and regulatory bodies. This resource is provided as part of Austrade's suite of anti-bribery materials.

Protect your organisation by putting in place clear policies and procedures that prohibit the offer, giving or receipt of gifts, hospitality or expenses where they could influence, or be reasonably perceived to influence, improper outcomes of business transactions. This resource also offers guidance on policy considerations and procedures such as record keeping. It forms part of Austrade’s suite of anti-bribery materials.

These voluntary rules from the International Chamber of Commerce offer business a method of self-regulation to comply with anti-corruption initiatives at the international level. The rules promote high standards of integrity in business transactions and provide an appropriate basis for resisting attempts at extortion or solicitation of bribes. Available in English, French, Spanish and Turkish.

This article identifies key global impacts of corruption, including its effect on healthcare outcomes, education and on women, children and the world's poor. It explains how aligning anti-corruption strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, can support business to promote the five pillars of sustainable development: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships. 

Foreign bribery results in an inefficient allocation of resources and economic distortions. It is also a threat to democracy, corrosive of good governance and an impediment to economic development. This fact sheet provides information about the consequences for individuals and companies who bribe or attempt to bribe and the broader, far-reaching effects of foreign bribery on democratic institutions and governmental stability.

This video highlights research undertaken by Transparency International with 47, 000 citizens from 35 African countries who shared their lived experience of paying a bribe for basic services. It found that paying bribes is far too common, is getting worse and that the poorest in society are twice as likely to have to pay a bribe.