This paper offers nine recommendations to create a world-leading research integrity watchdog for Australia. These suggestions are based on an analysis of five prominent research integrity watchdogs from overseas. The author took the best ideas and practices from these international watchdogs to inform a proposed design for an Australian body. These recommendations build on the existing strengths of Australia's current framework, combined with international best practice, to design a world-leading watchdog in which Australians can place real trust.

The recommendations of this report are:

1. Establish a clear and enforceable definition of ‘research misconduct’.
2. Establish a free-standing, government-funded research integrity watchdog with investigatory powers.
3. Research institutions should be bound by the findings of the independent watchdog.
4. Establish a network of local research integrity officers based in research institutions but accountable to the watchdog.
5. Complainants should be able to directly report suspected misconduct to the independent watchdog.
6. The independent watchdog should provide educational resources and mandatory training about research integrity.
7. All reports of research misconduct should be made publicly available.
8. Reintroduce a proper appeal process.
9. Create whistleblower protections.