What is a public interest disclosure

If your complaint is assessed as a public interest disclosure:

• we will never publicise your name as a discloser
• you will be protected from being fired or bullied for making a complaint
• you will receive protection from defamation and detrimental action in reprisal for making a public interest disclosure
• you will receive immunity from:
  • civil or criminal liability as well as administrative action (including disciplinary action) for making the disclosure
  • committing an offence under the Constitution Act 1975 (Vic) or any other Act that imposes obligations of confidentiality or otherwise restricts the disclosure of information
  • breaching any other obligation (made by oath or rule of law or practice) requiring the maintenance of confidentiality or otherwise restricting the disclosure of information.

Most public sector bodies have a Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator to help support and protect staff in making disclosures.

If your agency doesn’t have a Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator to speak to, you can contact IBAC directly.

Anyone can complain to us about public sector corruption and police misconduct. 

State Government departments

• Department of Premier and Cabinet
• Department of Education and Training
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Treasury and Finance
• Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
• Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
• Department of Justice and Community Safety
• Department of Transport

Administrative offices:

• Family Safety Victoria
• Latrobe Valley Authority
• Local Government Inspectorate
• Major Transport Infrastructure Authority
• Office of Projects Victoria
• Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
• Office of the Governor
• Office of the Victorian Government Architect
• Public Record Office Victoria
• Safer Care Victoria
• Service Victoria
• Victorian Agency for Health Information
• Victorian Government Solicitors Office

All local councils

Other entities

• Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
• Victorian Public Sector Commission
• Victorian Ombudsman
• Judicial Commission
• Victorian Inspectorate (if the public interest disclosure relates to IBAC or the Public Interest Monitor)
• Integrity and Oversight Committee (if the public interest disclosure relates to the Victorian Inspectorate)
• The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, or the Legislative Council (if the public interest disclosure relates to a member of Parliament)