Survey shows increasing perception that corruption is a problem in Victoria

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has released the results of its most recent ‘perceptions of corruption’ surveys revealing a widespread opinion that corruption occurs in Victoria and an increasing opinion that it poses a problem in the workplace and when bidding for government contracts.

Over 9000 people participated in the surveys in 2024, with participants including state and local government employees, Victoria Police employees, business suppliers to government and the Victorian community. A previous survey to this group was conducted in 2022.

The behaviours in the workplace identified as most likely to be a ‘high risk’ include breach of professional boundaries, inaction, and favouritism or nepotism.

Three quarters of Victorian government employees surveyed consider their organisation is vulnerable to corruption and misconduct. While 41 per cent of business suppliers to government have decided not to bid on a contract in the last 12 months due to concern about possible corruption (an increase from 34 per cent in 2022).

The ‘perceptions of corruption’ surveys are periodically conducted by IBAC to explore the perceived prevalence of public sector corruption and police misconduct and the understanding of these types of behaviours. The surveys also explore the awareness and perceptions of IBAC.

IBAC Deputy Commissioner David Wolf said it was evident that corruption was increasingly perceived as a problem at work but was hopeful the results could help raise awareness and drive initiatives for change.

“While it’s clear that there’s a widespread opinion of corruption and an increasing belief that it’s a problem in Victoria, there is an opportunity for public sector agencies, local councils and Victoria Police to address corruption risks and vulnerabilities and enhance their own approach to corruption prevention,” Deputy Commissioner Wolf said.

“The findings should help agencies identify gaps and opportunities to address perceived weakening ethical cultures across different sectors, as well as enhance their prevention and education efforts.

“An area where we would like to see improvement is in the reporting of corruption or misconduct. Results showed that across all survey groups, participants exhibited strong intentions to report corruption and misconduct but lacked the confidence to do so. There also appears to be uncertainty around the likely outcomes from making a report, and adequate protections for those who make a report.

“This tells us that these areas should be a priority for support and education so that anyone who suspects corruption or misconduct feels confident to report it and that it will be taken seriously.”

Within IBAC, the survey results are used to help inform prevention and education activities.

Concerns about corruption and misconduct can undermine trust in Victoria's public sector and police. Reporting of suspected corruption or police misconduct also depends on people's awareness of these problems, how to report, and confidence they'll be taken seriously and protected.

IBAC is Victoria's agency responsible for preventing and exposing public sector corruption and police misconduct. To learn more about the survey results for each sector, please visit www.ibac.vic.gov.au/perceptions2024.

Key insights from the perceptions of corruption surveys in 2024

Theme	Key findings
Perceptions about corruption as a problem	There is widespread opinion that corruption occurs in Victoria and an increasing belief that it poses a problem in Victoria and in the workplace compared to 2022 41 per cent of business suppliers to government have decided not to bid on a contract in the last 12 months due to concern about possible corruption (this has increased from 34 per cent in 2022)
Behaviours most likely to be a ‘high risk’	Breach of professional boundaries (eg bullying and harassment) Inaction Favouritism/nepotism The likelihood or risk of corruption and misconduct when interacting with suppliers has increased
Organisational ethical culture	The majority of employees consider their organisation is vulnerable to corruption and misconduct There is perceived to be a reasonable, but weakening, ethical culture, with employees believing more can be done to improve integrity and prevent corruption in their workplace
Reporting corruption and misconduct	Whilst intentions to report corruption or misconduct remain high, they have declined since 2022. Employees are less likely to feel supported by direct managers to make a report, and the opinion that reports would be treated seriously is waning Some uncertainty exists around the likely outcomes from making a report of corruption or misconduct, including expected repercussions and adequate protections for those who make a report
Awareness and understanding of IBAC	IBAC is well known with the majority indicating some level of awareness, which has increased since 2022 While decreasing since 2022, media reporting continues to be the main way employees hear about IBAC There are high levels of trust in IBAC, rising with tenure, age and rank

Contact details:

media@ibac.vic.gov.au or 0427 480 840