The 7 core public sector values guide the ethics and behaviour of everyone who works in the public sector.
There’s a strong link between workplace culture and how staff perceive their organisation lives the public sector values.
Read more about the values in the code of conduct.
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for all measures in 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include the some of the questions on the public sector values.
Most public sector industries continue to perform well against the public sector values.
Responsiveness, human rights and respect received the highest scores across most industries, while leadership and integrity tended to receive the lowest.
Across most industries, results against each value increased by 1 to 2 percentage points compared with 2024.
Police and emergency services is the exception. This group showed a decline in agreement with the values, with:
As Victoria Police last participated in the survey in 2023, we have compared Police and Emergency Services’ results with 2023 rather than 2024.
A commitment to responsiveness can help build trust and lead to better outcomes.
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include these questions. All public sector organisations will be asked about public sector values compliance in 2026. Police and emergency services sector data is not available for 2022 and 2024 as Victoria Police did not do the survey in those years.
The results combine agree and strongly agree answers to this statement:
We define integrity as:
The Victorian community needs high trust in how everyone in the public sector works and what they do.
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include these questions. All public sector organisations will be asked about public sector values compliance in 2026. Police and emergency services sector data is not available for 2022 and 2024 as Victoria Police did not do the survey in those years.
The results combine agree and strongly agree answers to these statements:
We define impartiality as making objective and fair decisions:
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include these questions. All public sector organisations will be asked about public sector values compliance in 2026. Police and emergency services sector data is not available for 2022 and 2024 as Victoria Police did not do the survey in those years.
The results combine agree and strongly agree answers to these statements:
Employees and workgroups show accountability when they:
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include these questions. All public sector organisations will be asked about public sector values compliance in 2026. Police and emergency services sector data is not available for 2022 and 2024 as Victoria Police did not do the survey in those years.
The results combine agree and strongly agree answers to these statements:
Employees, managers and workgroups show respect for their colleagues, other public officials and members of the community by:
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include these questions. All public sector organisations will be asked about public sector values compliance in 2026. Police and emergency services sector data is not available for 2022 and 2024 as Victoria Police did not do the survey in those years.
The results combine agree and strongly agree answers to these statements:
Leading by example is important to developing a positive workplace culture and helps build trust with the Victorian community.
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include these questions. All public sector organisations will be asked about public sector values compliance in 2026. Police and emergency services sector data is not available for 2022 and 2024 as Victoria Police did not do the survey in those years.
The results combine agree and strongly agree answers to these statements:
Under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, organisations must consider human rights in how they work and act.
Public health and overall public sector results are not available for 2025, as some organisations did a shorter People matter survey that did not include these questions. All public sector organisations will be asked about public sector values compliance in 2026. Police and emergency services sector data is not available for 2022 and 2024 as Victoria Police did not do the survey in those years.
The results combine agree and strongly agree answers to these statements: