ICAC finds NSW Health director who faked CV 'seriously corrupt'

A former senior NSW Health employee, Zoran Ribicic, has been found to be deeply corrupt, according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Mr Ribicic, who served as the NSW Health director of engineering and asset management from 2021 to 2024, engaged in a series of corrupt practices over many years. The ICAC report alleges that Ribicic faked his CVs and doctoral qualifications, falsified qualifications, and granted lucrative project contracts to family members, including his sister Mirela Derrin.

Ribicic was found to have improperly awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to external contractors, with his sister's company Risk Control Consulting (RCC) receiving over $275,000 from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) over a two-year period. He also engaged in 'order splitting', approving quotes below the $30,000 threshold to favor his family and associates, thereby avoiding competition and oversight.

ICAC Commissioner Helen Murrell stated that Ribicic's lack of qualifications to address critical maintenance issues, such as malfunctioning lifts and automatic doors, could have endangered patients' safety. Ribicic was not qualified to handle these problems, according to the commissioner. Additionally, Ribicic failed to declare his secondary employment with Lanmar, a consulting firm, for which he received $210,375 for 10 months of work.

ICAC found that Ribicic had made six job applications to government departments between 2012 and 2025, containing fake qualifications and using false references to secure public sector roles. He falsely claimed to have a doctorate in business administration, a master's degree in project management, a bachelor's degree in engineering, and a TAFE Engineering diploma. All six employers hired Ribicic despite detecting his dishonesty.

The ICAC report emphasizes the need for stronger qualification verification processes, improved conflict of interest controls, enhanced procurement oversight, and better governance arrangements for consultants. ICAC plans to deliver training to public agencies, including NSW Health, in the coming months to minimize the risk of such corruption in the future.

While the commissioner did not comment on pending ICAC investigations into Ribicic's dealings at other companies, she acknowledged that his actions may lead to criminal charges.