PwC discloses data breaches, sackings in tax cleanup report

TL;DR

PwC Australia's 2025 annual report discloses a significant data breach and staff sackings for code of conduct breaches amid tax scandal reforms.
The firm sacked a number of staff, including for data privacy violations, as reported in the paywalled article.[[1]](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/pwc-reveals-data-breaches-on-road-to-tax-scandal-cleanup/news-story/adebd67f828f56fe4198faae3f0aa70a)
This shows ongoing ethics challenges during PwC's cleanup efforts post-2023 tax leaks scandal.[[1]](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/pwc-reveals-data-breaches-on-road-to-tax-scandal-cleanup/news-story/adebd67f828f56fe4198faae3f0aa70a)

The story at a glance

PwC Australia disclosed in its 2025 annual report (covering 1 January to 31 December 2025, released 16 April 2026) a significant data breach and sacked several staff for breaching its code of conduct, including misconduct linked to data privacy.[[1]](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/pwc-reveals-data-breaches-on-road-to-tax-scandal-cleanup/news-story/adebd67f828f56fe4198faae3f0aa70a)[[2]](https://www.pwc.com.au/media/2026/pwc-australia-2025-annual-report-showcases-ai-driven-transformation-and-strategy-for-growth.html) The report comes as the firm continues reforms from the 2023 tax leaks scandal, where partners shared confidential government tax plans. This is reported now with the annual report's release by The Australian.[[2]](https://www.pwc.com.au/media/2026/pwc-australia-2025-annual-report-showcases-ai-driven-transformation-and-strategy-for-growth.html)

Key points

2025 annual report reveals a "significant data breach" and multiple code of conduct violations, per article teaser.[[1]](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/pwc-reveals-data-breaches-on-road-to-tax-scandal-cleanup/news-story/adebd67f828f56fe4198faae3f0aa70a)
Firm "sacked a number of staff" over these breaches, including staff misconduct; earlier half-year data showed 1 data breach among 5 substantiated cases, with 3 exits (terminations or resignations).[[3]](https://www.pwc.com.au/about-us/commitments-to-change/public-documents/Department-of-Finance-6-month-update-Jul-Dec-25.pdf)
Framed as part of "road to tax scandal clean-up," tying to post-2023 reforms like governance changes and culture shifts after confidential Treasury info was leaked to clients.[[2]](https://www.pwc.com.au/media/2026/pwc-australia-2025-annual-report-showcases-ai-driven-transformation-and-strategy-for-growth.html)
No specific numbers on sackings or breach impacts given in accessible previews; full details paywalled.
Builds on prior disclosures, e.g., 6 staff exited for data breaches in 2023-24 per related coverage.[[4]](https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/regulator-clears-four-of-nine-pwc-tax-agents-over-leaks-scandal-20241024-p5kl6f)

Details and context

The 2023 tax scandal involved PwC partner Peter Collins sharing confidential anti-tax avoidance plans (2015-2016) with colleagues, who used it for client advice, generating at least $2.5 million; it led to partner exits, a government contract ban (ended August 2025), and reforms like independent board members.[[5]](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/explainer-pwc-australia-fights-contain-083725556.html)[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PwC_tax_scandal)

PwC's "Commitments to Change" include ethics reporting; half-year update (Jul-Dec 2025) noted 84 reports, 8 serious, 5 substantiated (4 workplace misconduct, 1 data breach), with 3 exits—full year in 2025 report.[[3]](https://www.pwc.com.au/about-us/commitments-to-change/public-documents/Department-of-Finance-6-month-update-Jul-Dec-25.pdf)

These incidents highlight persistent data handling risks in consulting, post-MOVEit cyber breach affecting PwC (2023).[[7]](https://cybercx.com.au/news/australian-fallout-from-cyber-breach-pwc)

Key quotes

None reliably sourced from article or report previews; CEO Kevin Burrowes noted reforms in release: "We’ve made significant reforms in governance, culture and accountability."[[2]](https://www.pwc.com.au/media/2026/pwc-australia-2025-annual-report-showcases-ai-driven-transformation-and-strategy-for-growth.html)

Why it matters

New breaches undermine public trust in PwC's ethics overhaul after the tax scandal cost contracts and reputation.

Businesses and regulators see it raises questions on data security in consulting firms handling sensitive info.

Watch full report details, any regulatory probes, and Q2 2026 ethics updates for reform progress.[[8]](https://www.pwc.com.au/about-us/annual-report.html)