A former senior employee of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has been charged with allegedly stealing approximately $8 million over a six-year period. Authorities allege the individual used an NGV account to purchase mobile phones worth around $8 million, which were then sold for personal financial gain.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) announced on Thursday that the former employee faces seven counts of theft and one count of misconduct in public office. The alleged offenses are said to have occurred between September 2019 and September 2025.
IBAC began investigating the case in September 2025 following allegations of corrupt conduct involving theft and misuse of position. The agency stated that the purchases of mobile phones under the gallery’s account were intended for personal benefit.
The former employee is scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 October. A spokesperson for the NGV confirmed that the institution had been the victim of a financial fraud involving an individual staff member. The spokesperson noted that the matter was reported to Victoria Police and IBAC in September 2025, leading to the termination of the employee’s contract.
In response to the incident, the NGV has implemented a range of new controls and measures since September 2025 to strengthen its financial oversight and internal processes. The gallery has not disclosed further details regarding the ongoing investigation.