Frequently asked questions

The Victorian Government Land Monitor (VGLM) is an independent function that provides the Victorian Government and community with assurance that land transactions conducted by government are accountable, transparent and follow legislation.

VGLM provides assurance by reviewing government land transactions to give the government confidence that the right processes have been followed.

The Victorian Government Land Transactions Policy sets out the role and functions for VGLM.

VGLM was created after the 1977 Gowan’s Board of Enquiry and the 1979 Frost Royal Commission into misconduct in relation to several government land purchases.

All Victorian Government agencies conducting a land transaction must meet the requirements in the Victorian Government Land Transactions Policy.

The purpose of the guidelines is to ensure transactions are accountable, transparent, conducted with probity and comply with both legislation and government policy.

Read more about the requirements under policy.

The Victorian Government Land Transactions Policy applies to all Victorian Government agencies.

Victorian Government agencies as defined in the policy and guidelines include:

• Government departments
• Public statutory authorities
• Legal entities established by Victorian Government legislation
• Companies in which the Victorian Government has an interest
• Any organisation that requires statutory authorisation or ministerial approval, especially where public funds are involved.

Local government agencies are not included in the definition of a Victorian Government agency. They are not required to comply with the policy when conducting land transactions.

Read more about government agencies in the glossary section of the policy.

Victorian Government agencies must obtain approval from VGLM before conducting some types of land transactions.

For these transactions, VGLM will confirm that the Victorian government agency has obtained a current market valuation of the land from Valuer-General Victoria (VGV).

VGLM will only approve a government land transaction if:

• Land (or an interest in land) is being sold at a price that is equal to, or more than, the VGV valuation.
• Land (or an interest in land) is being purchased at a price that is equal to, or less than, the VGV valuation.
• An offer of compensation being made under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 or Part 5 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, is at a price that is equal to, or less than, the VGV valuation.

Before a Victorian Government agency makes an offer of compensation of $1,000,000 or more, the offer must be approved by VGLM.

VGLM approval is required for the total offer, not just the part that relates to land value.

This approval process provides assurance to the Victorian Government that the offer being made is accountable, transparent and complies with legislation.

Victorian Government agencies are responsible for buying and selling government land. They must comply with a range of Victorian government land management policies when dealing with government land.

If you have a question about government land, you should contact the Victorian government agency that owns the land

You can identify the government agency that owns the government land through LANDATA or an authorised information broker.

For more information please visit government land management policies.

The Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) provides details of recent government land sales that had a value of $100,000 or more.

DTF also provides details of surplus government land that is currently for sale, as well as government land that is being prepared for sale.

Read more above government land sales.

VGLM cannot provide information or advice on government land transactions directly to the public.

If you have a question about a government land transaction, you should contact the Victorian Government agency involved in the transaction.

You can find out which Victorian government agency owns government land through LANDATA or an authorised information broker.