About the AusNCP

Role

The Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (AusNCP):

The AusNCP complaints mechanism offers a collaborative forum to facilitate the resolution of issues that arise in relation to the OECD Guidelines. It is a non-judicial dispute resolution process, and while participation is voluntary, it is strongly encouraged.

The AusNCP also assists the Australian Government to fulfil certain parts of the:

AusNCP structure

Secretariat

The AusNCP Secretariat in Treasury’s Digital Policy and Corporations Division assists in managing the AusNCP, promoting the OECD Guidelines and representing Australia in international responsible business conduct forums.

Independent Examiners

The AusNCP’s Independent Examiners are experienced mediators with expertise in applying the OECD Guidelines. They are contracted by Treasury to manage complaints made to the AusNCP about multinational enterprises. Their responsibilities include:

  • conducting Initial Assessments to determine whether an AusNCP complaint should be accepted, transferred or rejected
  • communicating with the parties to a complaint and facilitating dispute resolution 
  • preparing findings and recommendations, where appropriate.

Governance and Advisory Board

The AusNCP Governance and Advisory Board consists of representatives from Australian Government agencies, the business community, civil society and unions. Its members help promote responsible business conduct within their respective fields and provide expert advice on AusNCP promotion and complaints handling.

Fact sheets

National Contact Points

All governments that have adhered to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises have an obligation, under the Decision of the OECD Council on the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, to set up a National Contact Point to further the effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines. The AusNCP is one of over 50 of these National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct that have been established by governments across the world.

National Contact Points are not courts or regulators. They operate as a non-judicial grievance mechanism to promote the effective implementation of the OECD Guidelines and to contribute to the resolution of complaints involving multinational enterprises.

National Contact Points assess corporate conduct issues that are related to the implementation of the OECD Guidelines and facilitate voluntary, mutually beneficial dialogue (known as dispute resolution or ‘good offices’) between parties to a complaint. Through this process, they raise awareness of what the OECD Guidelines expect and encourage responsible business conduct, including remediation where applicable.

History

  • 2026 50th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines

    50th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines and the Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises.

  • 2025 AusNCP highly active and commended for efforts to raise awareness of responsible business conduct within Australian Government agencies

    • The AusNCP received and managed its highest number of new and active complaints since the 2019 reforms came into effect. 
    • In a Follow Up Statement for AusNCP Complaint 27, the Independent Examiner found that the AusNCP had taken actions to promote the OECD Guidelines and to ensure consistency with the Australian Government’s expected approach to responsible business conduct across relevant agencies.

  • 2023 Major updates to the OECD Guidelines

    • Expectations were strengthened across many areas, including climate change, biodiversity, environmental protection, disclosure of responsible business conduct information, responsible disengagement, and due diligence for science and technology. 
    • Introduced new emphasis on multinational enterprises paying special attention to adverse impacts on individuals at heightened risk due to marginalisation, vulnerability or other circumstances, including human rights defenders and Indigenous Peoples.

  • 2021–2022 Most recent OECD peer review of the AusNCP

    • The AusNCP was formally peer-reviewed in 2021 by the New Zealand, Italian and Swedish National Contact Points, with support from the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct. 
    • The peer review report, released in 2022, made seven recommendations, all of which were subsequently agreed to and implemented by the AusNCP. 
    • The peer review considered that the 2019 reforms to the AusNCP had been a success.

  • 2020 Positive outcomes facilitated through AusNCP Complaint 11

    AusNCP-supported dialogue leads Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited to commit to financial remediation and to strengthened human rights policies and grievance mechanisms.

  • 2019 Australian National Contact Point reformed

    • Treasury reforms Australia’s National Contact Point, re-modelling it into the AusNCP within Treasury’s former Market Conduct Division and introducing new complaint procedures. 
    • Treasury appoints the AusNCP’s first Independent Examiner to manage complaints, supported by dedicated Secretariat staff in Treasury’s Corporations Branch. 
    • The Australian National Contact Point’s Oversight Committee is replaced with the AusNCP Governance and Advisory Board, which appointed members from the business community, civil society and unions, not just government agency representatives.

  • 2017–2018 Independent review of the Australian National Contact Point and Treasury’s response

    • Treasury’s Foreign Investment Division commissions an independent review of the Australian National Contact Point in 2017 to examine the Australian Government’s commitments and obligations under the OECD Guidelines and to assess how the function should be structured.
    • The final report of the independent review is released, making five recommendations focused on increasing independence and expertise in decision-making, providing clearer procedural guidance, improving stakeholder outreach, and ensuring dedicated resourcing. 
    • Treasury subsequently develops and releases its response to the independent review in 2018, committing to five reforms to modernise the operations of the Australian National Contact Point and address the review’s recommendations.

  • 2012 Improved oversight of the Australian National Contact Point

    The Australian National Contact Point’s Oversight Committee is established to monitor the effectiveness of the function and provide guidance on procedural matters.

  • 2011 Significant human rights updates to the OECD Guidelines

    • The OECD Guidelines are updated with a standalone human rights chapter that reflects the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. 
    • New expectations are incorporated into the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises to avoid causing adverse impacts and to conduct due diligence.

  • 2005–2006 First complaint received and successfully resolved by the Australian National Contact Point

    • In 2005, the Australian National Contact Point received its first request to assist with a complaint concerning a multinational enterprise. 
    • The Australian National Contact Point helped resolve the issues it accepted through mediation, resulting in 34 mutually agreed outcomes between the parties in 2006. 
    • Following this resolution, the Australian National Contact Point conducted an evaluation of its approach to the matter, which received positive feedback. The complaint process was also well-received at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the National Contact Points.

  • 2000 Revision of the OECD Guidelines and expansion of National Contact Point functions

    • Treasury supported the Australian Government’s participation in the OECD’s review of the OECD Guidelines and their implementation procedures. A revised version was adopted on 27 June 2000 by the 32 adhering countries at the time, including Australia. 
    • The expectation that multinational enterprises respect human rights was embedded into the revised version of the OECD Guidelines, along with provisions on their contribution to sustainable development, respect for core labour standards (including non-discrimination based on race, religion and gender), and new chapters on bribery and consumer interests. 
    • Countries agreed that National Contact Points should help resolve specific complaints involving multinational enterprises. To fulfil this role, the then Executive Member of the Foreign Investment Review Board (a Treasury official) was named the Australian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines.

  • 1991 OECD Guidelines updated to strengthen environmental protection

    A new chapter on environmental protection was introduced into the OECD Guidelines.

  • 1979–1987 National Contact Points introduced

    • In 1979, the OECD Council, in its Decision on the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, called on member countries to establish National Contact Points to ensure the implementation of the OECD Guidelines at the national level. 
    • The Second Revised Decision of the OECD Council in 1984 explicitly placed an obligation on member countries to establish a National Contact Point to undertake promotional activities, handle enquiries and engage in discussions with parties concerned with matters related to the OECD Guidelines. 
    • The Foreign Investment Review Board was publicly identified in 1986–87 as Australia’s National Contact Point for issues arising under the OECD Guidelines.

  • 1976 Adoption of the OECD Guidelines and Declaration

    On 21 June 1976, Australia and 22 other OECD member governments adopted the first OECD Guidelines and the Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises.