Australian QC is committed to protecting the integrity, credibility and public confidence of certification activities. Australian QC recognises that certification activities must be, and must be seen to be, independent, objective, evidence-based and free from consultancy, referral, commercial or personal influence.
No consultancy
Australian QC does not provide consultancy services to providers for systems, services or processes that are subject to Australian QC audit or certification. Australian QC does not provide internal audit services to its certified clients for the purpose of preparing them for Australian QC certification.
No referral fees, commissions or benefits
Australian QC does not offer, request, pay, receive or accept referral fees, commissions, success-based payments, revenue sharing, lead-purchase benefits, preferred-supplier benefits, exclusive referral arrangements, gifts, hospitality, inducements or other benefits that could influence, or appear to influence, audit work or certification decisions.
Consultants and referral sources
Australian QC recognises that consultants or advisors may support providers in preparing for audit. However, providers must engage directly with Australian QC for audit enquiries, quotations, scope, planning, audit communication, corrective action and certification matters. Consultants must not control or replace the direct professional relationship between the provider and Australian QC.
Where Australian QC becomes aware of consultant, advisor, referral-source or external party involvement, Australian QC may request information to assess impartiality risks. Relevant matters may be recorded in Australian QC’s impartiality register, consultant/referral relationship register and engagement risk assessment records.
Conflict-of-interest declarations
Australian QC requires relevant personnel, auditors, reviewers, certification decision-makers, contractors and committee members to declare actual and perceived conflicts of interest. Conflicts are reviewed and managed through documented controls, which may include exclusion from an engagement, reassignment, independent review, escalation, refusal of work or other action.
Structural Independence
Australian QC separates audit/evaluation activities, review activities and certification decision-making. Certification decisions are made by authorised and competent personnel who are independent from the evaluation activity and free from unmanaged conflicts.
Impartiality Committee
Australian QC maintains an Impartiality Committee as a standing governance mechanism. The committee provides independent oversight and advice on impartiality risks, including consultant/referral relationships, gifts and benefits, auditor external interests, complaints or appeals involving impartiality, and material changes that may affect independence.
The committee does not conduct audits, provide consultancy, sell services, manage client relationships or make certification decisions. Its role is to support impartiality oversight, challenge and continual improvement.
Reporting concerns
Concerns about impartiality, conflicts of interest, referral influence, gifts, benefits, consultant involvement or independence may be reported to: impartiality@australianqc.com.au
Complaints may be sent to: complaints@australianqc.com.au
Appeals may be sent to: appeal@australianqc.com.au
Australian QC will not treat any person unfairly because they raise an impartiality concern, complaint, appeal or ethical report in good faith.