Australia ranks 8 in the global Index for Public Integrity and has continued to improve incrementally over the past decade, although it is not a regional leader in transparency. However, it does very well on fiscal transparency and strikes a sound balance on control of corruption, with low opportunities for corruption due to low administrative burden, and high constraints in the form of independent Courts, digital citizens and freedom of the press. Its performance has been achieved through broad reforms, including good quality education, meritocracy and gradual administrative reform which resulted in accountable and effective government. In light of Australia’s beginnings as a penal colony, its long-term successful transformation yields many worthy lessons for developing countries. Significant concern persists regarding the political influence of mining and other extractive industries, particularly in Western Australia, but a very active media monitors political corruption attentively.

Austria ranks 13 in the world in the 2021 Index for Public Integrity and has not changed in any important dimension over the past 12 years. Its good control of corruption showed in recent years when a new generation of politicians broke the established integrity norms, but they were eventually brought to account for their acts. Although in the past the country managed to control corruption despite low transparency and quite high reliance on networking, the limits of these past arrangements seem to have been reached. To prevent further abuse of office as seen in recent scandals, Austria needs more fiscal transparency, access to information and transparent monitoring of assets and interests of public officials.