The Public Service Commission has probed Australia’s border processing services and uncovered issues in leadership, the workforce, business plan and computer systems.

The review was ordered after several claims of fraud and corruption within the Customs Service, which is reportedly under pressure from the increased public focus and workload due to asylum seeker arrivals.

The Commission found that while Customs’ goals and ideals remain solid, leadership appears inconsistent and the workforce is not properly developed.
As well as systemic human issues, the probe also revealed the department has fallen well behind in risk management, human resource policies, intelligence capability and IT systems.

In its report the Public Service Commission said: “This is not sustainable. There is a clear need to modernise these capabilities so the agency can continue to effectively deliver against border management requirements into the future.”

The review has acknowledged efforts to instil change so far, and encourages Customs to continue the efforts of the Customs Reform Board and the internal taskforce set up to overhaul procedures. It found the Customs Service to be operationally resilient, collaborating well with border protection stakeholders.

The APSC report is available online.