Research reports

Victorian perceptions of corruption 2022

IBAC periodically conducts surveys to understand perceptions about corruption and police misconduct in Victoria. In 2022, IBAC conducted online surveys with state and local government employees, Victoria Police employees, suppliers and the Victorian community. Over 12,000 people participated.

Survey findings inform IBAC’s prevention and education activities as part of our Corruption Prevention Strategy 2021-24. The findings also help public sector agencies identify gaps and opportunities to address corruption risks and vulnerabilities, as well as enhance their prevention and education efforts.

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.

  • In 2022, IBAC conducted online surveys with state and local government employees, Victoria Police employees, business suppliers and the Victorian community. Over 12,000 people participated.

    The surveys explored:

    • awareness and perceptions of IBAC
    • perceived prevalence of public sector corruption and police misconduct
    • understanding the types of behaviours that are corrupt or misconduct
    • how likely people would be to report corruption or misconduct if they saw it, and to who.

    Perceptions of corruption surveys have been conducted by IBAC in 2013, 2015/16 and 2019. Where possible, results from the 2022 surveys are compared to past surveys with significant changes in perceptions highlighted. A green arrow pointing up in the graphs indicates a higher result, while a red arrow pointing down indicates a significantly lower result. All arrows represent a statistically significant change at the 95 per cent confidence level.

    While the 2022 surveys were being conducted, IBAC and several major operations were widely reported in the media. This may have impacted on some of the perceptions reported by participants.

    The surveys were voluntary and no specific details about participants or their workplace were recorded to protect anonymity. For this reason it is not possible to provide findings for any individual agency.