Paul Brereton picked to head the National Anti-Corruption Commission as it nears its opening date

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced his five picks to lead the National Anti-Corruption Commission had been approved by the parliamentary committee and would now recommended to Governor-General David Hurley on Wednesday.

Justice Brereton led the four-year investigation into alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan, with his report finding "credible" evidence that defence personnel had committed war crime murders.

Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre chief executive Nicole Rose and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Ben Gauntlett have been nominated as deputy commissioners.

The chief executive and inspector of the NSW ICAC, Philip Reed and Gail Furness, will be brought over from their state roles to the federal integrity body.

ACLEI commissioner Jaala Hinchcliffe will take on a 12-month appointment as acting deputy commissioner or until a third substantive deputy commissioner is appointed.

Proposed appointees:

Mr Dreyfus said it was a "significant milestone" and showed the federal government was on track to open up the anti-corruption body's door by the middle of the year.

"I'm proud to say that these candidates were selected through a merit based selection process," the first law officer said.

"I know these are the people with experience and capacity to guide the National Anti-Corruption Commission through its first months and years of operation and set it up for future success."

An exact date for its opening has still not been announced.

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The oversight body, which passed into law in November last year, will be able to investigate allegations of wrongdoing and systemic corruption and will have the ability to hold public hearings in "exceptional circumstances".

Despite not yet being operational, the watchdog has already lifted Australia's rank in global corruption perceptions rankings.

The annual Corruption Perceptions Index report placed Australia 13th out of 180 countries with a score of 75 out of 100.

Australia is up two points from its lowest ever score at 73 in 2022, but remains 10 points lower than its best ranking of 85 in 2012.

The federal government was expected to debate amendments to whistleblower laws in the senate this week but the bill has been pushed back to the May sitting period.

ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle attempted to use public interest disclosure protections in his bid for immunity against Commonwealth charges.

A South Australian court dismissed his case on Monday, meaning Mr Boyle faces the potential of jail time for leaking unorthodox debt collection tactics by the tax office to the media.

Mr Dreyfus said he would not comment on the matter as it's before court.

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