Guidance material

Public sector corruption hurts all Victorians

This information sheet provides examples of corruption and misconduct and red flags for corruption. It also explains the importance of reporting corruption, and IBAC's role in preventing and exposing it.

Why report corruption?

The Victorian community expects our public sector to be free of corruption. All public sector employees are required to conduct themselves with integrity, impartiality, accountability and respect, and not influenced by personal interests or greed.

Public sector corruption hurts everyone. It wastes taxes and rates that should be used to operate and maintain Victoria's schools, hospitals, roads and other vital public services and projects.

When something's not right in the public sector it’s up to all of us to speak up and report any suspected wrongdoing.

What is corruption and misconduct?

Corruption and misconduct in the public sector can take many forms, such as:

  • committing fraud or theft
  • taking or offering bribes
  • employing or engaging friends or family as contractors without proper process
  • awarding contracts to suppliers in return for personal benefit.

All public sector employees at every level have a responsibility to model the values as expressed in the Victorian Public Sector Code of Conduct and to comply with their agency's policies and probity standards.