Watchdog probing Vic education dept

Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog is investigating the state's education department over allegations of serious corrupt conduct.

Fairfax Media reports the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is investigating past and present senior education bureaucrats and the botched $180 million Ultranet schools computer project, which was scrapped by the state government last year.

It says allegations include taxpayer-funded home renovations and travel, while the investigation will also zero in on the relationship between mostly former staff and the companies awarded contracts to deliver Ultranet.

An IBAC spokeswoman confirmed the commission was "investigating allegations of serious corrupt conduct at Department of Education and Early Childhood Development".

"It is inappropriate to comment further on this ongoing matter," she said in a statement.

A department spokesman was unable to comment on specific allegations, but said the department was working with IBAC.

"The department takes seriously its obligations to report any allegations of improper conduct to the appropriate authorities," he said in a statement.

"We are committed to transparency and are currently fully co-operating with IBAC.

"The department is also committed to investigating and eliminating such conduct, where that's within our power."