Integrity bodies we oversee

IBAC, the Victorian Ombudsman, and 12 others

We oversee 14 integrity bodies(opens in a new window) (including IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman). Our purpose is to provide Parliament and the people of Victoria with independent assurance that the bodies we oversee act lawfully, properly and with integrity.

We carry out our oversight through:

  • monitoring the exercise of significant powers

In addition, we assess public interest disclosures(opens in a new window) and investigate public interest complaints that fall within our jurisdiction.

The functions we perform differ for each body that we oversee.

IBAC

For IBAC, we:

  • receive and assess complaints about the conduct of IBAC and IBAC officers
  • investigate conduct
  • monitor the exercise of coercive powers
  • assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of policies and procedures
  • monitor compliance with the IBAC Act and other laws
  • review Public Interest Disclosure (PID) procedures
  • oversee IBAC’s performance of its PID Act functions
  • receive and assess PIDs about IBAC and IBAC officers
  • investigate Public Interest Complaints (PICs)
  • monitor interaction between IBAC and other integrity bodies
  • inspect and audit records kept by IBAC in relation to telecommunications interception, the use of surveillance devices and the conduct of controlled operations.
    • Note: The primary purpose of these inspections is to ensure certain records have been kept and all reporting obligations have been met—we do not examine the merits of decisions to use intrusive powers, and we do not have the power to deal with complaints about the use of these powers.

Victorian Ombudsman

For the Victorian Ombudsman, we:

  • receive and assess complaints about the conduct of VO officers
  • investigate conduct
  • monitor the exercise of coercive powers
  • monitor compliance with procedural fairness
  • review PID procedures.

OVIC

For OVIC, we:

  • receive and assess complaints about the conduct of OVIC officers
  • investigate conduct
  • monitor the exercise of coercive powers
  • monitor compliance with procedural fairness requirements relating to coercive powers.

VAGO

For VAGO, we:

  • receive and assess complaints about conduct of VAGO officers
  • investigate conduct
  • monitor the exercise of coercive powers
  • monitor compliance with certain sections of the Audit Act 1994.

Office of the Chief Examiner

For the OCE, we:

  • receive and assess complaints about the conduct of the Chief Examiner or Examiners
  • investigate the conduct of the Chief Examiner and Examiners
  • monitor the exercise of coercive powers
  • assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of policies and procedures
  • monitor compliance with the Major Crime (Investigative Powers) Act 2004.

Judicial Commission of Victoria

For the Judicial Commission, we:

  • monitor the exercise of coercive powers
  • review the PID procedures.

Public Interest Monitor

For the PIM, we:

  • inspect and audit certain records held by the PIM under the Public Interest Monitor Act 2011 and the Witness Protection Act 1991
  • receive public interest disclosures about a PIM to determine whether they are a Public Interest Complaint (PIC)
  • investigate PICs.

Victoria Police

For Victoria Police, we:

  • monitor compliance with the Major Crime (Investigative Powers) Act 2004
  • inspect and audit Victoria Police records in relation to the exercise of counter-terrorism powers under the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003
  • inspect and audit Victoria Police records in relation to telecommunications interception, the use of surveillance devices, the conduct of controlled operations and police counter-terrorism powers.
    • Note: The primary purpose of these inspections is to ensure certain records have been kept and all reporting obligations have been met—we do not examine the merits of decisions to use intrusive powers, and we do not have the power to deal with complaints about the use of these powers.

Wage Inspectorate Victoria

For WIV, we:

  • monitor the exercise of coercive powers
  • investigate and assess the conduct of the WIV and its officers in exercising its coercive powers.

Victoria’s Office of the Special Investigator

For the OSI, we can:

  • investigate PICs up until 2 August 2025
  • investigate and assess the conduct of the OSI and OSI officers in the performance of the OSI’s investigative functions, duties and powers up until 2 August 2025
  • make recommendations and report on investigations to the Attorney-General up until 2 February 2026.

Other agencies we monitor

We also assess compliance with the legislation governing telecommunication interception, surveillance devices, or controlled operations conducted by the Game Management Authority, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and the Environment Protection Authority.

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